Eight Energy Innovation Pioneers have been selected to present at the executive conference of CERAWeek 2017 by IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO) executive conference, March 6-10 at the Hilton Americas - Houston.

The Energy Innovation Pioneers program, held annually in conjunction with CERAWeek, aims to identify the most innovative and distinctive new technologies across the energy spectrum, including advanced analytics, distributed generation, energy storage, the Internet of Things, robotics and transportation. Judging criteria has included creativity, feasibility of plan, scalability of technology and leadership team.

"Technology is at the heart of the energy business all across the energy spectrum, and these creative and dedicated problem-solvers highlight the critical role of innovation in shaping the energy future," said James Rosenfield, co-chairman of CERAWeek and founder of the Energy Innovation Pioneers program. "And it is innovation that will determine the pace of change."

Each entrepreneur will participate in one of two sessions that explore their experience and insights commercializing new technology:

• March 8, 7:30-8:40 a.m. CST: Leveraging start-ups to meet the challenges of the new energy landscape
• March 9, 7:30 - 8:40 a.m. CST: Powering lower costs through innovation

"Through their entrepreneurial spirit, this year's class of Energy Innovation Pioneers represents technology start-ups that see the challenges of competing energy supplies, shifting policies and emerging technologies as opportunities," said Carolyn Seto, the program's director and co-chair. "Their innovations have taken on an even more crucial role today as they not only grapple with near-term pressures that face the energy industry, but also the foundation of the future energy system."

"The increased penetration of renewables and storage at a time of low wholesale power prices challenge traditional utility practices," said Alex Klaessig, associate director and program co-chair. "The innovative ideas, technologies, and business models of this year's class of Pioneers show how innovation conquers those challenges, and also demonstrate how their solutions draw from and contribute to progress in other sectors."

The 2017 class of Energy Innovation Pioneers includes:

• Alion Energy - Mark Kingsley, president and CEO
• CyPhy Works - Helen Greiner, founder and CTO
• Fluidic Energy - Steve Scharnhorst, CEO
• Hyliion - Thomas Healy, founder and CEO
• Maana - Babur Ozden, founder and CEO
• Magseis - Idar Horstad, CEO
• Opus One Solutions - Joshua Wong, founder and CEO
• Rheidiant - Murat Ocalan, founder and CEO

This year's program will once again include a Pioneer Showcase, where each entrepreneur will give a 30 minute presentation about their company and technology, concurrent with the main conference agenda.

Chaired by Daniel Yergin, IHS Markit vice chairman and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, CERAWeek 2017: Pace of Change: Building a New Energy Future will focus on the changing market at a time of turbulence and uncertainty. The program will examine new forces at work; explore the strategies to meet competitive dynamics and the impact of technology, government policies and the global economy. More than 3,000 delegates from more than 60 countries and more than 350 speakers are expected to attend CERAWeek 2017.

IHS Markit | www.ihsmarkit.com