International Conference on Alternative Energy (ICAE); Caribbean University proposes organizing the first International Conference on Alternative Energy (ICAE) in San Juan, Puerto Rico on July 15-16, 2010. By supporting research and development in alternative energy, the nation can potentially reduce its dependence on foreign oil and create employment opportunities. In order to support these efforts, the ICAE will bring together leaders in the field from around the globe to share original concepts, research findings and create collaborations. The gathering of leading academics, researchers and government officials from the countries in the Western hemisphere, Europe and Asia will address important and pressing alternative energy topics in the areas of State-of-the-Art Technology, Public Policy, Research and Economics with a particular focus on the participation of students, women and minorities in the conference and field. Over the course of two days, these leaders will advance knowledge and understanding across the field by engaging in plenary sessions, technical sessions and round table discussions. In addition, there will be several keynote speakers as well as optional academic and industrial tours designed to showcase the extensive industrial infrastructure of Puerto Rico and research activities and facilities at local universities. Located in Puerto Rico, Caribbean University is well qualified to develop and host the conference because of its location, prior work in the field of engineering education and alternative energy and access to the resources necessary for the conference. Furthermore, the organizing committee has experience in developing similar events such as the "Segunda Cumbre de Expertos: Telecomunicaciones en Puerto Rico," a telecommunications conference held in November 2007.
Researching and developing alternative energy is a high priority for the nation. Advances in alternative energy are of benefit to society because they can lead to the creation of jobs and also a reduction in pollution and dependence on other nations for oil. Therefore, the broader impacts of the conference include both the advances and discoveries that will be shared at the conference as well as the distribution of results after the conference and ultimately the potential benefits to society of alternative energy advancements. ICAE will also provide opportunities and support for commercialization and entrepreneurial endeavors. This will be done through special technology commercialization panels during the ICAE conference. The conference will provide opportunities for participants to meet, network, exchange information and initiate partnerships. They will also learn about the mechanics and logistics of working internationally. There will be broad participation specifically targeting students, women and minorities from throughout the Caribbean, the Americas, Europe and Asia with a focus on underrepresented groups. For example, student scholarships will be provided to promote teaching, training, and learning.
International Conference on Alternative Energy 2011 The 1st International Conference of Alternative Energy was held on October 3-4, 2011 at the Sheraton Hotel & Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Intellectual Merit The gathering of leading academics, researchers and government officials in ICAE 2011 addressed important and pressing alternative energy topics like Sustainability of Alternative Energy, Materials for Energy Production, Economic Aspects of Energy Production, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Bioenergy, Research Studies, Funding Opportunities for Entrepreneur Projects in Alternative Energy, Funding Opportunities for Research, in addiction to Full-Day Workshops on Processes and Applications in Nanotechnology, Wind Energy, Solar Energy, Biofuels, Solar Waste Management, and Weathering Assistance Program in plenary sessions, technical sessions and round table discussions. Keynote speakers provided a showcase of the extensive industrial infrastructure projects of Puerto Rico related to alternative energy. The ICAE event was diffused through special invitations, posters, brochures, the ICAE webpage, Local TV Channel 13, and national newspaper (Primera Hora). In addition to this, the celebration of ICAE offered stipends sponsored by a National Foundation Grant (NSF, for graduate and undergraduate students belonging to minorities, especially women. The registration fees of student’s, which possess American citizens, were covered by the NSF stipends. Students, women and minorities from local and national universities like: Caribbean University (Bayamón and Ponce Campuses), Inter-American University, University of Puerto Rico, Universidad del Este, Universidad del Turabo, City College of New York and Polytechnical University participated in this event. Two high school students were funded as special participants in this event to provide them an overview of career options for pursuing a degree in higher education. During October 3, 2011, a total of 15 speakers, nine moderators, 10 ushers and 17 staff members coordinated their efforts to offer a total of 16 conferences along the day to approximately 202 students and 22 professors. During October 4, 2011, a total of 31 speakers, 12 moderators, 10 ushers and 21 staff members coordinated their efforts to offer a total of sixteen conferences along the day to approximately 200 students and 24 professors. The ICAE 2011 represented an excellent opportunity to create concern of the real status of traditional energy resources, and to induce stakeholders, students, academic professionals, governmental officers, and other participants to initiate new research lines to analyze alternative energy venues. The experience as collaborators in the conference offered to the students and academics the opportunity to connect, in a highly rich environment with an excellent diversity of scientific, educators, governmental officers and many other professionals of the international community. Some of the presentations given at ICAE 2011, as well as supplemental presentations, can be accessed through www.caribbean.edu/icae%202011/pages/Document.html . Broader Impacts Researching and developing alternative energy is a high priority for the nation. Advances in alternative energy are of benefit to society because they can lead to the creation of jobs and also a reduction in pollution and dependence on other nations for oil. Therefore, the broader impacts of the conference included both the advances and discoveries shared at the conference as well as the distribution of results after the conference and ultimately the potential benefits to society of alternative energy advancements. Governmental public entities such as Puerto Rico Energy Power Authority, Energetic Affairs Administration, Solid Waste Administration also collaborated and provided participants with exciting perspectives of the public sector. The private sector was represented by national and international companies like CEMEX, GC Company, FUMEC. The participation of the National Science Foundation representative as well from the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, provided the opportunity to analyze and discuss openly options for commercialization and entrepreneurial endeavors. The Conference had sponsors of private entities like College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico (CIAPR); Small Business Technology and Development Centers (SBTDC); City University of New York; University of North Carolina and Baker and Taylor Library. Over 200 participants per day that included: students, women and other minorities from throughout the Caribbean and the States participated in the conference. The content of the Conference’s topics exposed them to discover and consider the fields of engineering and sciences as options for pursuing academic degrees in higher education programs. According to the evaluation submitted by the participants, the conference was successful. At least nine out of every ten attendants (91.8%) felt the speakers dominated the subject of their lectures. An 89.4% expressed that the topics presented were useful for their professional development. An 85.8% indicated that the conferences had good distribution of time and topics covered. Approximately, five out of every six participants (84.4%) would recommend the lectures to their peers. When asked to express their opinion on the conferences, attendants emphasized that they appreciated the opportunity provided for by the hosting institution and agencies, and broadly expressed that it was an excellent activity and a great opportunity to establish professional contacts.
