Yesterday, the third annual ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit kicked off near Washington, D.C. Key players from across the energy ecosystem are joining forces to share ideas on how we can use advanced technologies to address the most critical energy challenges America faces today.

The three-day event is filled with workshops, panel discussions, keynote speakers and networking events designed to bring together the top minds in research, business, finance and government. The Summit’s unique combination of leaders makes this an ideal environment for developing energy solutions that will enable America to out-innovate our global competitors.

Attendees come from across the country to hear from excellent speakers and to join panel discussions led by moderators from the top of their fields.

The Summit kicked off yesterday morning with the launch of the Technology Developers Workshop, a day-long program designed to give researchers, entrepreneurs and technology developers insight into future and existing ARPA-E programs. The panels covered dozens of topics, from bioenergy to electrical storage to technology transfer and how to secure private capital as a startup company.

Attendees also heard from Secretary of Energy Steven Chu, who announced the winners of the America’s Next Top Energy Innovator challenge, as chosen by a public vote and expert review. These three innovative startup companies are leaders in moving National Lab technologies to the market.

Day two of the summit will bring even more power-players to the table, and attendees will hear from a long list of successful entrepreneurs, members of congress, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and leaders of top research universities.

By providing a unique forum for industry leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs to share ideas and facilitate partnerships, the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit is helping to bring game-changing technologies to the market faster -- and revolutionizing the ways we use and produce energy.

This event is just one more way the Energy Department is strengthening our position in the global technology race and creating clean energy jobs for Americans.

View the original post at energy.gov.