Peter Garforth
Garforth International llc | Principal
Speaker
Track C: Decarbonization and Electrification
Session C2: Successfully Scaling-Up Decarbonization
September 18, 2025 | 10:30 am - 11:00 am
Henry Ford College- Accelerating Energy Transitions
Abstract This presentation describes the successful decarbonization journey to date of Henry Ford College (HFC) and the implications for communities seeking similar transformations. The college’s integrated environmental, economic, technical, and educational goal setting, decision-making, and governance processes that enabled systemic change will be reviewed.
This includes simulating “whole college” scenarios to assess multiple technical and economic configurations to guide final investment decisions. In addition to addressing the technical aspects of decarbonization, the key steps in coordination, financing, and stakeholder engagement that supported the decisions will be covered. Insights and lessons learned on overcoming institutional and operational barriers will be shared, along with the emerging role of the institution as a resource to foster mentorship and workforce development to sustain community-scale energy transitions.
Track C: Decarbonization and Electrification
Session C2: Successfully Scaling-Up Decarbonization
September 18, 2025 | 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Session C2 Chairperson
Speaker Bio
Peter Garforth is Principal of a specialist consultancy based in Toledo, Ohio, and Brussels, Belgium. He is also a founding board member of an affiliate consultancy in Guelph, Ontario. He advises major companies, cities, communities, colleges, property developers and policymakers on developing competitive approaches that reduce the economic and environmental impact of energy use. His specialty has been in profitable business development implementing energy productivity. He effectively strives to ensure that any recommended investment approach has a sound business basis and reflects the larger movements in the energy market. Peter is well-connected in the energy productivity business and regulatory community around the world.
