Professional Engineers of North Carolina

Event Schedule:

Please select any sessions you wish to attend

Thursday, August 14, 2025

	Start Date	End Date	Start Time	End Time
EVs and the Grid	8/14/2025	8/14/2025	8:30 AM	9:30 AM	8/14/2025 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM Presenter: Thomas DelViscio, Regional Electrification Manager - Duke Energy As a result of many recent market and environmental factors, there has been a significant focus on cleaning up the transportation sector. Although this can take many forms, a key area of transformation is in the electrification of transportation. This session will review current EV adoption trends and their potential impact to the electrical grid. In addition, we will discuss current challenges and potential solutions that could facilitate this transition to accelerate decarbonization of the country’s largest source of GHG emissions.
Wind Energy in North Carolina: Project Updates & Looking Forward	8/14/2025	8/14/2025	9:45 AM	10:45 AM	8/14/2025 9:45 AM - 10:45 AM Presenter: Karly Brownfield, Senior Program Manager - Southeastern Wind Coalition At a moment when federal actions mark such a decisive shift away from support for utility scale wind and solar, it is more important than ever to maintain a positive operating environment from the ground up. SEWC's Karly Brownfield will dive into the current state of play for wind energy and what that means for the existing and future project pipeline in the Carolinas.
A Decade of NC Bioenergy – Was it Worth it?	8/14/2025	8/14/2025	11:00 AM	12:00 PM	8/14/2025 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Presenter: Gus Simmons, PE, Chief Innovation Officer - Cavanaugh A Decade of NC Bioenergy – Was it Worth it? The first real efforts to develop North Carolina’s rich bioenergy resources began with a small group of people about a decade ago. This presentation provides a status update on the development of this native energy resource: what has worked, what hasn’t, and a glimpse of what the future holds.
Nuclear Energy: Today, Tomorrow and the Future	8/14/2025	8/14/2025	1:30 PM	2:30 PM	8/14/2025 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presenter: Bryan Wooten, General Manager Nuclear Engineering, Duke Energy Nuclear Energy: Today, Tomorrow and the Future Nuclear Energy provides more than half of the power generation used by our customers in the Carolinas. Our fleet of 11 reactors in North and South Carolina have been safely and reliably generating carbon-free electricity for decades. For Duke Energy, we plan to continue operating our existing plants into the mid-century and will build new nuclear plants. At the Brunswick plant in Southport, we operate two reactors which make 1,870 megawatts – enough electricity to power 1.5 million homes. Over the years we have improved the plant making it safer and more reliable than it was originally designed.
Civil Engineering in the Solar Industry: Laying the Foundation for North Carolina's Energy Future	8/14/2025	8/14/2025	2:45 PM	3:45 PM	8/14/2025 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM Presenter: Jennifer Diaz, PE, LEED, AP, Sr. Principal Civil Engineer - Arevon Energy, Inc. Civil Engineering in the Solar Industry: Laying the Foundation for North Carolina's Energy Future This presentation explores the critical, yet often overlooked, intersection of civil engineering and solar energy development. As North Carolina continues its role as a key supplier of clean energy, civil engineers play a pivotal role in shaping the success of utility-scale and commercial solar projects. This session highlights how thoughtful site design, permitting strategies, and infrastructure integration are essential to advancing solar power across the state. Drawing from recent solar projects, we’ll examine technical challenges such as grading in complex terrains—ranging from steep slopes to flood-prone areas—as well as navigating regulatory frameworks. The presentation will showcase the civil engineer's comprehensive role in solar development, from initial site assessment to final construction. We will delve into specific technical considerations like grading, stormwater management, and erosion control, which are vital for project longevity and environmental compliance. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the civil engineer’s expanding role in the clean energy transition—and how smart engineering decisions lay the groundwork for sustainable solar infrastructure. Whether you're an engineer new to solar or already engaged in renewables, this session will clarify the pivotal and growing role civil engineers play in building a resilient, solar-powered future for North Carolina.