Events

June 2007

Ambassador Robertson Opens Embassy-Organized Alternative Energy Conference, June 28, 2007, Ljubljana

Ambassador Robertson gave the opening remarks for the Clean Energy Innovation Conference that was organized by the Embassy June 28.  He emphasized the importance of alternative energy as a strategy for economic development, environmental stewardship and energy security.  This one day conference, held at the Hotel Union, brought together American and Slovenian scientists, business people, government officials and NGO representatives to discuss emerging trends in alternative energy and consider areas of mutual business interest.  The keynote speakers were Mark Ginsberg from the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Dr. Rick Schwerdtfeger previously a researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Frank Svet from the Ohio-based public-private business EMTEC.  The American speakers highlighted U.S. leadership in developing alternative energy technologies such as photovoltaic solar cells and wind turbines.  Frank Svet identified areas in which American and Slovenian businesses could cooperate at various levels throughout the alternative energy supply chain.  Other speakers included Hinko Solinc from the Slovenian Ministry of Environment who presented a snapshot of Slovenia’s energy consumption profile and provided information on the Slovenian government’s efforts to reduce energy consumption and increase renewable energy use and President of Environmental NGO Focus Lydija Zivcic who stressed the need for transparency and participation of all stakeholders.  Borut Del Fabbro from Istrabenz Gorenje Energy and Poteza Venture Capital Fund manager Jonathan Cooper gave their perspectives on the economic opportunities for alternative energy. 

From left: Lydia Zivcic, Professor Janez Krc, Ambassador Robertson, Hinko Solinc.