NIPSCO's 4th annual Energy Symposium has brought together businesses and organizations to discuss and learn about the always changing and evolving energy market in Northwest Indiana.
Taking place at The Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, NIPSCO invited people from various backgrounds and markets to discusses information regarding the efficient use of energy and sharing tips and advice on newer options.
"The goal today is to be educated on how to use energy more effectively, efficiently and strategically," said NIPSCO Vice President of Commercial Operations Karl Stanley. "There are a number of ways to do this with so much equipment and methods to being introduced every year."
This year's symposium hosted 9 topics throughout the day regarding information about energy efficiency and how it applies to different businesses and industries. From alternative sources for energy project, funding and renewable power to global energy and lighting, a broad range of topics were present to give visitors plenty of information to digest and learn.
"We wanted to make sure that our customers had every opportunity to use energy more efficiently, especially on the commercial and industrial side," said Stanley. "A lot of their time is spent on production and they want to know the best way to spend a lot of time on the product they are selling while being efficient with their energy output."
ArcelorMittal Manager of Continuous Improvement Lawrence F. Fabina has been attending the symposium since the first one and continues to find new reasons to keep attending every year.
"I see new technology and instruction courses, you're always learning something new," said Fabina. "I always bring back something that pays for my day's wages and you also get to meet people that have similar issues and problems and learn from each other."
A wide variety of commercial and industrial businesses and organizations attend the event every year from the Northwest, Central, and East Indiana. Stanely and the NIPSCO staff enjoy the variety and are also always looking forward to new faces wanting to learn new information with the two largest questions being asked (and answered) being "ways to use energy more efficiently" and "how companies and towns can utilize renewables".
"This year we've noticed more cities and towns along with engineers and people who purchase energies," said Kelly. "I've seen schools, towns, cabinet makers and even specialty steel makers, we always try to cover as much subject matter as possible."
With the energy world changing at a fast pace, NIPSCO hopes to continue holding these energy symposiums to serve the businesses and industries of Northwest Indiana and continuing to educate customers about all of the options available to them.
"The energy world is changing rapidly, we want to make sure that it stays current and relevant with topics of interest to customers," said Stanley. "I'd be most pleased to hear someone come up to me and tell me that coming to this event triggered a thought that has allowed me to become more efficient."