BENTON HARBOR, Mich., March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR), the world's largest manufacturer of home appliances, will present at EE Global 2012 in Orlando, Florida from March 27-29, 2012. Whirlpool efficiency experts, Christian Gianni, vice president, engineering & technology; Warwick Stirling, global director of energy and sustainability; and Tom Catania, former vice president, government relations, will address issues related to clean technology, the power grid and public-private partnerships.

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Co-hosted by the Alliance to Save Energy and the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, EE Global convenes world-class business, technology, government and policy leaders to address the latest technological breakthroughs, policy advances and research related to energy efficiency. 

"We are delighted to welcome Messrs. Gianni, Stirling and Catania of Whirlpool Corporation to the world's premier dialogue on energy efficiency," said Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance. "As prominent voices in the industry, these gentlemen will be invaluable contributors, and will showcase the innovative thinking that has made of Whirlpool a global giant in the manufacture of energy-efficient appliances."

The three Whirlpool speakers will join the more than 50 energy experts from around the world already confirmed to address three plenary sessions and four concurrent tracks of executive dialogue sessions. Each track concentrates on one of four key areas of energy efficiency: policy, innovation, integration and implementation.

In addition, as part of the EE Global Virtual Podium, Whirlpool Corporation will discuss a new product component to help deliver innovation and energy efficiency to consumers. A key factor in appliance energy efficiency is the type of blowing agent used in the foams that insulate a refrigerator's cabinet. The company, along with its research and development partners, is developing a next generation foam technology, Hydro Fluoro Olefins (HFOs), commonly known as fourth generation foams. HFOs are a more environmentally conscious alternative to hydrocarbons, which can deliver 40 percent lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) and 5-8 percent better energy efficiency over existing hydrocarbon solutions. This will provide consumers with the most environmentally-friendly refrigerators available.

• Mr. Gianni will speak during the opening plenary session on Tuesday, March 27^th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT. His session is titled, "Energy Efficiency: Spurring Innovation & Driving Productivity." It will discuss how businesses are implementing energy efficiency and when this will become part of the mainstream.
• Mr. Stirling will participate in an executive dialogue session on Wednesday, March 28^th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. EDT. The session focuses on innovation and is titled, "Modernizing the Power Grid: Technologies & Programs Making it Happen." It will discuss how to diversify the traditional definition of smart grid and catalyze user energy efficiency.
• Mr. Catania will be a part of the executive dialogue session on Thursday, March 29^th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. EDT. This session focuses on integration and is titled, "Public-Private Partnerships: Bringing Government & Industry Together." It will discuss what makes for successful collaborations between government and industry around the world.

The EE Global Virtual Podium takes place on March 28^th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT. This Virtual Podium will be a series of mini energy efficiency press conferences with a Q&A after each topic. It can be accessed live on the web by signing up online at http://www.eeglobalforum.org/about-media-podium.html.

The three-day event is expected to draw over 500 attendees, exhibitors, speakers and media. 

For additional information, please visit www.eeglobalforum.org.

About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion in 2011, 68,000 employees, and 66 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world.  The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world.  Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

About Alliance to Save Energy
The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, the economy and national security.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation