Las Vegas, NV (August 25, 2015)
-- To address these challenges cannabis is presenting for utilities, Signal
Bay, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGBY) and Conferences Connect LLC have created two
unique events for utility professionals. First a webinar, “The Cannabis Industry: its impact on the Power Grid,” September
3rd, 2015. The second, “Powering Indoor
Agriculture for Utilities: Preparing for Your Newly Regulated Large Load
Customer” conference scheduled October 21st & 22nd, 2015 in Las
Vegas at the Rio All-Suites Hotel. Speakers include representatives from
leading utilities currently dealing with the issues they face with indoor
cannabis producers.
“Powering indoor cannabis is
challenging utilities in unique ways. Though seemingly straightforward as a
business that needs power, utilities see the need for further risk assessment,
potential capital investments in substations, different processes in
establishing credit, managing payments, etc., make this a unique set of
questions that a conference can help answer. By bringing energy utility
professionals together to learn from each other, utilities are positioned
better to answer the needs of this sector, enjoy a bump in commercial revenue
while protecting investment risk.“, said Ashley Baptiste, CEO of Conferences
Connect.
Indoor cannabis cultivation
facilities use an unusually large amount of energy. Lori Glauser, President of
Signal Bay, explains that nearly 2% of Denver’s electricity goes to powering
cannabis grow facilities, and by some estimates, as much as 3% of California’s
energy goes to indoor agriculture. “A staggering amount of electricity is
consumed in the cultivation of cannabis. The industrialization of cannabis is
currently the primary driver behind load growth in many areas, meanwhile, the
business risks of serving these customers are high. These facilities are
still considered illegal by the federal government while regulations and
especially grow technology are evolving quickly.
The outlook for cannabis production
in 5, 10 or 20 years will look very different from today. Further, it is not
just cannabis that is being grown indoors. Massive vertical indoor gardens
are on the horizon that will provide an efficient solution, offering access to
fresh local produce year-round – an especially important concern in urban areas
and cities affected by drought.
The two-day event includes a
workshop on the current and future energy demands of the cannabis industry,
followed by presentations from utilities and indoor agriculture
specialists addressing efficiency rebates, lighting, climate control and new
technologies. Topics ranging from understanding the load profile of this
customer segment, interconnection costs, offering distinct rates, and mitigating
risk. Examples will be presented on municipality’s cannabis rates and tax
surcharges, and a focus on the massive infrastructure effort ongoing to bring
power to up to 17 cultivation facilities in one North Las Vegas industrial
park. The conference features a tour of a cannabis cultivation facility for
utility representatives to learn first-hand the energy needs of such
structures.
Media Contact
Gus Calabrese
CMO – Conference Connect
610-325-4830
Events@utilityevents.com