Hendersonville Green Drinks: The Power of Partnerships to Achieve our Energy Future

Hendersonville, NC – On Thursday, April 11th, Hendersonville Green Drinks welcomes Robert Sipes, the Vice President of Duke Energy’s Western Carolinas Modernization Project. The Project encompasses a number of energy reduction and infrastructure development programs, including the conversion of the Asheville Power Plant from coal to natural gas and community programs aimed at increasing energy efficiency and reducing demand. The increasing focus in Western North Carolina and worldwide on the connection between our energy sources and climate change, in addition to the rapid advances in energy technology, have created a need for new partnerships on the local and national scale. In his talk, Robert will focus on the new partnerships being built in Western North Carolina aimed at developing and promoting solutions to our current energy

Robert Sipes serves as the Vice President of Duke Energy’s Western Carolinas Modernization project. The project encompasses the conversion of the Asheville Power Plant from coal to gas, the addition of significant transmission and substation infrastructure, the implementation of several distributed energy resource projects, and engagement with the community to implement existing and new programs to mitigate peak demand growth, increase efficiency, and reduce electric usage. Robert graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.  He began his career in the energy industry in 1983 working in electric power line construction for Stackhouse Inc., and since then, has served in a wide variety of roles in the electric utility industry.

About Hendersonville Green Drinks: Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by MountainTrue, Conserving Carolina and Black Bear Coffee. Come to Green Drinks to learn more about current environmental issues, have relevant discussions, and meet with like-minded people. This is a monthly event and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to drink at Green Drinks, just come and listen. Black Bear Coffee offers beer, wine, coffee drinks and sodas. A limited food menu will be available.