Wind Energy Business Conference

The common trend in the United States and Germany of a shift towards cleaner energy sources opens up new opportunities for collaboration and bilateral exchange in the wind industry.

GACC Midwest hosted a business conference focusing on operations, maintenance, and grid integration in the wind market on Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in Chicago, IL. The conference featured speakers from the German Wind Energy Delegation, which takes place in Chicago from June 17-21, 2019.

Attendees were able to gain insight into:

• Market developments and policy outlooks
• Innovative technologies for turbines
• Developments, trends, and best practices in the American and German service markets

Attendees also had the opportunity to explore partnership opportunities with German companies.

Date & Venue

June 18, 2019 | Chicago, IL
8:30 am - 2:00 pm CST
W Chicago Lakeshore Hotel
6th Floor, Great Rooms 1 & 2
644 N Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60611


Speakers & Presentations

Featured Speakers and their presentations:

  • Stevie Fuentes, Regional Service Manager, Deutsche Windtechnik
  • Andreas Goetze, Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • Holger Lange, Managing Director, P.E. Concepts
  • Anthony Logan, Senior Analyst, Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables
  • Gesine Michold-Brehm, Supply Chain Manager, Deutsche Windtechnik
  • Toba Pearlman, Staff Attorney and Clean Energy Advocate, NRDC
  • Brad Purtell, Director, Services Business Development, Invenergy
  • Sabine Schmedding, Policy Advisor, German Wind Energy Association
  • Brien Sheahan, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission
  • Craig Sundstrom, Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Innogy Renewables US LLC
  • Markus Winter, Consultant, energiewaechter GmbH

To see a detailed schedule of the conference, please download our conference agenda.


Participating German Companies

The companies listed below had a chance to present their technologies and innovations at the conference:

Deutsche Windtechnik is Germany’s leading independent service provider to the wind industry. They handle the maintenance and repair of both on- and offshore wind turbines, and their expertise includes the planning and implementation of O&M, repair, upgrading, and inspection of blades, towers, electronics, and generator systems. They also offer consulting and repowering services. Since 2017, their American subsidiary Deutsche Windtechnik, Inc. has been based in Houston, TX.


nrg4.you offers hybrid renewable energy systems that provide stable, inexpensive, sustainable power for geographically remote areas with poor grid integration. Their flagship system combines a 2 MW tracking photovoltaic power plant, a 2 MW wind turbine, and a 5 MWh energy storage and management system.


Engineering consultant P. E. Concepts offers mechanical and civil engineering services for the wind energy sector. They conduct construction and load simulation, layout and design of electrical and mechanical systems, as well as analysis of all structural parts. Lifetime-monitoring systems, certification support, design of machinery components (such as cast and forged steel components, bolted connections, and bearings) are also offered. P.E. Concepts is a highly innovative company, and regularly engages with universities and research institutes to develop new technologies and software. They are distinguished by their flexibility, client loyalty, and an ambitious and comprehensive approach to problem solving.


Terrawatt features a team of highly skilled wind energy project engineers, handling almost every phase in the development and realization of wind and solar facility construction. Terrawatt’s services include site selection and assessment, feasibility studies and wind measurement, technical planning, project management and supervision, and engineering. To date, they have developed renewable energy installations of all sizes across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia totaling 23 GW.


WP Systems is a specialist mechanical engineering firm offering advanced rotor blade maintenance and dismantling equipment. WP Systems technology minimizes turbine service downtime with its weather-proof maintenance chamber, which allows for rotor service in any conditions, at any time of the day or night. The chamber is hoisted alongside the turbine and encloses sections of the rotor as it climbs, without the use of cranes. The fully-enclosed cell features integrated lighting and heating systems and keeps technicians safe in all conditions.

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