Here are quick promos on two events plus the full schedule for a third, the PHEV conference in Wenatchee.

This weekend, we'll be at our fourth Maker Faire event (3 in San Mateo, 1 in Austin, Texas). This is the ultimate "do it your self" bonanza, and all those who go say they see at least one astounding or inspiring achievement. Go to http://www.makerfaire.com/­ for details (open late Saturday night). Find us in the Main Building, Green Zone, where Plug-In Supply and Luscious Garage (see descriptions at http://www.calcars.org/­howtoget.html ) are partnering with us in two conversions as well as a full schedule of presentations.

This Wednesday, May 7, in the SRI Auditorium in Menlo Park, is the second annual Berkeley-Stanford Clean Tech Conference, this year titled Big Solar - Utility Scale Solar Powering Our Future. We participated in last year's inaugural event; this one is about one of the most important emerging energy sources: solar thermal and solar concentrating technologies. Get info/register at http://cleantech.berkeley.edu

In Wenatchee, in central Washington State, join with CalCars, A123, Efficient Drivetrains, Idaho National Lab, Rep. Jay Inslee, the PHEV Schoolbus Project and many other speakers in one of the most useful information and networking events on plug-in hybrids:

POWER UP May 8-9
Electrific Transportation Summit, May 8-9, 2008
Go to http://www.plugincenter.com/­index.php?page_id=274
THURSDAY, MAY 8 - Morning 8:30am
Master of Ceremonies: WA State Representative Mike Armstrong

9:00am Plug-in Hybrids and Electric Vehicles: Solid endorsement for industry growth
Emergent technologies and global concerns are driving the surge of activity and advocacy for the transportation electrification movement. Politicians, car manufacturers, environmentalists, energy security advocates, Google and the CEO of WalMart are all touting plug-in hybrids pushing fuel efficiency over 100 mpg and reducing tailpipe emissions. Hear about the progress in electrification of vehicles as indicated by: investments in R&D; OEM product rollout announcements; a growing number of conferences focused on hybrids, electric vehicles, and PHEVs; the increasing array of published books, startup companies and pilot projects.
MODERATOR: Ron Johnston-Rodriguez,Advanced Vehicle Innovations & Port of Chelan County
PRESENTING: Felix Kramer, CalCars

9:45am Electric Fuel for EVs & PHEVs: Battery technologies, lifetimes and recycling
The "fuel tanks" for electrons are evolving. Small, lightweight lithium-ion batteries are key to the optimization of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the near-term. This session will summarize the competing lithium chemistries, operating characteristics and economic challenges as well as opportunities that lie ahead. Battery lifetimes, re-use opportunities and recycling will be discussed for lead acid, nickel-metal-hydride and lithium batteries.
MODERATOR: Mike Armstrong, WA State Representative
PRESENTING: Jim Francfort, Idaho National Laboratory Sanjeev Choudhary, A123 Systems/Hymotion

11:00am Smart Grid and PHEVs: Vision and opportunity for utilities
How will the electrification of transportation impact an already strained grid? As utilities begin investing in "smart grid" technologies on the path towards greater efficiency, the integration of EVs and PHEVs present a new set of challenges. Where and when will these vehicles plug in? Is the electric fuel supply available? Challenges lead to opportunities, as PHEVs / EVs have the promising potential to feed power back to the grid (V2G). Enabling technologies are in development. Hear from experts on technical, financial, legal and practical challenges and opportunities.
MODERATOR: Jim White, Chelan County PUD
PRESENTING: P.S. Reilly, Athena Institute John Clark, V2Green

1:30pm Putting the best into PHEVs: Clean renewables and bio-fuels
Plug-in hybrids running on batteries charged by clean renewables and an engine powered by bio-fuels is the "best case" model described by many PHEV visionaries. This session will focus on the convergence of PHEVs and EVs with solar, wind, hydro, and bio-fuels, showing how to put the best into PHEVs.
MODERATOR: Rita Schenck, Institute for Environmental Research and Education
PRESENTING: David Granatstein, Center for Sustaining Ag and Nat Resources, WSU Don Tilton, Director, Green IT Alliance Andy Frank, UC-Davis, Center for Hybrid Research

Getting the best from PHEVs: From reducing emissions to powering homes
After putting the best in, what benefits do owners get out of their PHEVs? This session will focus on a menu of benefits from PHEVs such as emissions reduction, noise reduction, fuel cost savings and maintenance cost savings. Learn how clean renewable electric power stored in PHEVs and EVs can help satisfy future power demands, and how vehicles fueled by clean renewables help reduce greenhouse gases. Add individual energy independence and we have a recipe for success.
PRESENTING: Melissa Ahern, Washington State University Mike Sommers/Will Huggett, ALTEN Energy Solutions

3:45pm PHEV Pilot Projects: In Washington and across the Nation
A number of PHEV pilot projects have launched during the past year all across the U.S. Research is focusing on batteries, OEM prototypes, vehicle-to-grid, vehicle-to-home, solar and wind-powered charging stations and PHEV driver behavior studies. Partners include state and local governments, utilities, Toyota, Ford, national laboratories, the U.S. Department of Energy, universities, American Automobile Association, Google, Ports, cities, and more. Hear what's happening around the nation - with a special focus on the Washington State PHEV Pilot Project.
MODERATOR: Tim Stearns, WA State Dept of Community, Trade, Economic Development
PRESENTING: Ron Johnston-Rodriguez, Advanced Vehicle Innovations & Port of Chelan County Jim Francfort, Idaho National Laboratory Sanjeev Choudhary, A123 Systems/Hymotion John Clark, V2Green Jim White, Chelan County PUD

FRIDAY, MAY 9 - Morning

9:00am PHEV / EV Projects: Around the world
The race to reduce fossil fuel use and vehicle emissions is hitting its stride across the globe. Increasingly, the strategy is focused on electrifying vehicles. Hear how, and by whom, vehicle electrification is being addressed in Mexico, Asia, Canada and Europe.

MODERATOR: Bruce Agnew, Cascadia Center
PRESENTING: Victor Juarez, Clean Vehicle Research Institute Andy Frank, Efficient Drivetrains, Inc.

10:30am Charge It: The logistics of charging opportunities Where and how will electrified vehicles plug in? The few PHEVs on the road today just require a simple extension cord and a standard 110v outlet. However, the forecasted deployment of tens of thousands of PHEVs and more EVs will create a demand for outlets in public places, motels/hotels, shopping areas, at the workplace and home. Some vehicles may even charge from 220v outlets. Electrical standards and codes vary, and safe charging concerns have become an issue. As utilities upgrade to "smart grid" technologies, vehicles will likely need to incorporate "smart appliance" technologies to optimize integration with the electric grid. This session will explore the factors that will affect the design of next-generation charging hardware and accessories, elements of home/garage design, charging stations, public policy and how consumers will interact with their vehicles and utilities.

MODERATOR: Mike Armstrong, WA State Representative, PRESENTING:
David Sittauer, Fleet Manager, City of Edmonds
Felix Kramer, CalCars
Michael Kintner-Meyer, Pacific NW National Laboratory
Jim White, Chelan County PUD
John Clark, V2G

1:00pm Federal Legislation and Apollo's Fire: U.S. Congressman Jay Inslee

1:30pm Heavy Duty PHEVs: Buses and Beyond
PHEV technology has been successfully demonstrated in delivery vans, SUVs, and a few utility trucks. Shuttle buses are reportedly in-the-works. But the largest heavy duty PHEVs on the road today are school buses - and they are poised to demonstrate PHEV technology on a national scale next year. You'll hear about exciting innovations and expectations for the future from those making it happen on a national, regional and local scale.

MODERATOR: Mike Armstrong, WA State Representative
PRESENTING: Ewan Pritchard, Advanced Energy, PHEV School Bus Buyers Consortium Rick Haggard, City of Seattle Scott Logan, President, WA State Pupil Transportation Association; Dir., Pupil Transportation, Lake Chelan School District

2:45pm Industry Workforce: Business development, job creation and training needs
Vehicle electrification and its integration with the grid are already sparking new business opportunities and expansions. This will translate into new clean energy jobs across the spectrum of design, research, manufacturing and marketing as well as servicing of vehicles, charging stations and the grid. The workforce will require multiple levels of training in a variety of disciplines, from electronics and electrical systems to chemistry. Training needs include vehicle maintenance for technicians and fleet managers as well as battery safety concerns for emergency responders. This session will explore emerging business formations, industry forecasts, job creation, training needs and current efforts in workforce training.

MODERATOR: Craig Larsen, Port of Chelan County Commissioner
PRESENTING: Roger Slotkin, RS Management, Ltd. Eric Leonhardt, Western Washington Univ., Vehicle Research Institute Ron Johnston-Rodriguez, Advanced Vehicle Innovations & Port of Chelan County 4:00pm - Summit Concludes