Atmospheric Sciences Research Center to Host Conference on Weather’s Impact on Renewable Energy Development and Innovation

Bruce Bailey presents at the first annual Renewable Energy Pathways Conference.
Bruce Bailey presents at the first annual Renewable Energy Pathways Conference. (Photo by Brian Busher)

ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 28, 2025) — On Sept. 10-11, the University at Albany’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC) will convene hundreds of industry experts and decision-makers for its third annual Renewable Energy Pathways Conference, which will focus on the weather’s impact on energy development and innovation. 

The conference, titled “Navigating a Weather-Driven Energy Sector,” will explore the role the weather is playing in the ongoing development of renewable energy sources and their integration into the electric grid. 

Held at UAlbany’s ETEC building, the two-day conference serves as an industry workshop where high-ranking officials and influential leaders participate in discussions that inform energy policy and uncover opportunities to make the energy economy more resilient and accelerate its growth. 

Industry professionals who lead organizations of all sizes, from weather start-ups to global companies, are encouraged to attend. Registration is required.

Advancing Renewable Energy Research

When the conference launched in 2023, about 130 energy industry executives, along with leaders in government and academic researchers, gathered at the complex to exchange insights on the weather enterprise’s role in supporting the expansion of renewable energy, as well as concerns, challenges and opportunities for innovation. 

This year, the panel discussion topics — featuring over 30 speakers — will include:

  • How the weather enterprise can accelerate the growth of renewable energy generation
  • The innovations and collaborations necessary to ensure a sustainable energy transition
  • Strategies the utility sector is implementing to manage the energy transition and accommodate heightened weather/climate volatility
  • The roles that informed policymaking, economics, and strategic investment play in facilitating green energy growth
  • Re-imagining a future electrical system with radically new concepts for a renewables-dominant grid

“We remain deeply committed to advancing the research in weather and energy, and it’s essential given the changing climate conditions,” said Chris Thorncroft, director at UAlbany’s ASRC. “At UAlbany, we’re proud to be the leaders in convening the voices from our industry, academia and government to foster dialogue and partnerships that have the power to lead to real solutions.”

“We are looking forward to bringing together this group of executives and professionals as we reflect on progress from the last several years and our path forward,” added Bruce Bailey, the executive in residence at UAlbany’s Center of Excellence in Weather and Climate Analytics (COE) and conference co-chair. “Above all, our goal is to continue to deepen the relationships we’ve cultivated to further advance the interdisciplinary research on weather and energy technologies, regionally and globally.”

Partnering with the Energy Industry

In addition to this conference, ASRC is continuing to pursue partnerships with leaders in the renewable energy industry. For example, UAlbany recently partnered with the University of Connecticut to improve Northeast U.S. power grid resilience. 

The work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, which funded $4.6 million for six projects that will conduct grid resilience analysis and modeling to strengthen and modernize the power grid against extreme weather. Researchers from UAlbany and UConn, along with several other partners, were selected for two of the projects, totaling $2.63 million, that are focused on communities in the Northeast.

Conference organizers envision September’s event serving as a catalyst for similar collaborations. 

“Solar and wind power are the most abundant and affordable energy sources. But unlocking their full potential requires cutting-edge weather intelligence. Join us at this essential conference to explore how weather will shape the future of the energy economy—and why informed leadership is more critical than ever,” said Richard Perez, Senior Research Faculty at UAlbany’s ASRC and conference co-chair.

“UAlbany’s Atmospheric Sciences Research Center is uniquely equipped to host this exclusive conference,” said Jan Woodcock, the COE’s director of operations. “Every day, we’re working to provide critical weather information and develop new innovations that empower organizations to operate and grow without disruption, no matter the changing atmospheric and climate conditions. This conference harnesses our unique strengths to create a space where business leaders and scientists can come together to spark new collaborations and shape policies that bolster our energy economy.”  

To learn more about how to get involved, visit weatheranalytics.org/renewable-energy-conference-2025