Executives from a utility and minerals company are among those expected to speak at an upcoming energy summit in Grand Junction.

Alice Jackson, president of Xcel Energy-Colorado, and Jim Sims, vice president of external affairs for NioCorp Developments, both will deliver keynote presentations.

The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce scheduled the summit for 8 a.m to 1:30 p.m. March 30 at the Grand Junction Convention Center, 159 Main St.

The summit is open to the public. Admission is $65, which includes lunch. For reservations, visit the chamber website at https://gjchamber.org.

“The purpose of the event is to focus on the future of energy and what developments and technologies will be used to help power our energy needs,” said Diane Schwenke, president and chief executive officer of the chamber. “Our use of energy is only going to increase, but the sources and technology that will power our world in the future are being developed today.”

Jackson will discuss electric grids, the networks of power plants, transmission lines and distribution centers balancing the supply and demand of electricity. 

Extreme weather events affected by climate change and vulnerability to cyber attacks have raised concerns about grids. With the increase in the use of renewable energy sources and capability of businesses and homes to produce their own electricity, pressures have increased to maintain customers and address aging infrastructure.

Sims will discuss his company’s efforts to produce critical minerals at a greenfield mining and processing project in Nebraska. The minerals are used in everything from appliances to electric vehicles to defense applications. But the United States relies on imports for those minerals.

Breakout sessions at the summit will cover such topics as geothermal energy,  hydrogen hubs, natural gas and solar energy development and small-scale nuclear plants.

A luncheon panel presentation will feature presenters from the breakout sessions discussing the challenges and opportunities for energy. 

A small trade show also is planned as part of the event.