1:00

Developments at the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative – Luis Reyes Jr.

With 100% daytime solar, first-in-the state battery storage for a Rural Electric Cooperative, and many EV chargers deployed and more planned, Luis will give us details on why KCEC is a national leader in renewable energy for its members. 

Luis is the Chief Executive Officer of our local electric utility, Kit Carson Electric Cooperative.  With encouragement from Renewable Taos, he has led the co-op to build renewable energy generation within the KCEC service area.

1:20

Electrification at Ford Motor Company – Tony Sena

Tony has been invited to give us insight into Ford’s plans for electrifying the product line. 

Tony lives in Santa Fe and is the Sales Manager for Capitol Ford.  As the F-150 Lightning goes into production, Ford hopes to expand on the very successful F-150 product line. 

1:40

The State of Transmission in Northern New Mexico – Sean Black

Renewable energy is key to a low-carbon / no-carbon future.  Where do we get this renewable energy?  Sean will discuss the state of transmission and potential projects and upgrades in our region.  Transmission provides resilience and supports the growth of electric transportation.

Since 2014, Sean has worked in the role of Director of Transmission Business Development with Ameren/Lucky Corridor and has over 30 years' experience working in engineering, marketing and business development for electric utilities, as well as companies that supply the electric energy business. Most recently, the projects under his purview target the integration of renewable energy.

2:00

Electric Vehicles: Running on Coal – David Kingsley

There are a lot of critics of electric vehicles.  The arguments are: “EVs force us to burn more coal”, “EVs will overload the grid” and “making EVs produces more pollution than making an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine).  He dispels the myths.

David has worked in the renewable energy field as a mechanical designer on geothermal and solar power plants, and several satellite solar power systems.  He has owned four EVs, two of them plug-in hybrids, one a conversion, and is currently driving a BEV (that is, an all-Battery Electric Vehicle).

2:20

How To Convert an ICE to an EV – Karl Nichols

Karl will discuss the growing hobbyist interest (and fun!) in converting internal combustion engine (ICE) cars to electric, as well as some of the pitfalls along the way.

Carl is a local electrician with a project to electrify his own car.   

2:40

Electrifying Public Transport – The Blue Bus – Delilah Garcia

Delilah’s talk will focus on the Electric Bus Project in Taos and the sustainability attributes incorporated into the new Taos Operations and Maintenance Facility design which will also incorporate electric charging infrastructure. 

Delilah is the Operations Director for the NCRTD where she oversees daily operations of 29 routes covering over 10,000 square miles in eight NM counties, including facilities upkeep and bus maintenance.