The TEX-E Conference will bring together passionate students from Texas universities and business leaders to share their insights, experiences, and cutting-edge energy innovations. The event’s mission is to empower budding student entrepreneurs to advance their climatetech ventures and inspire industry leaders to support these groundbreaking startups coming out of Texas’ universities.

In addition to an informative speaking portion, this student-led conference will provide ample networking opportunities and feature innovation showcases where attendees can learn about the latest climatetech and energy solutions coming out of universities. The conference will take place at TMC Helix Park.

Check out the event page for the full agenda and to register for the conference!

Register Here

ENERGY STUDENT MIXER

Hosted by the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center

Powered by BPX

Thursday, April 11, 2024

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

AT&T Hotel and Conference Center

Interior Courtyard

1900 University Ave, Austin, TX 78705

Come Network With bpx Energy!

The KBH Energy Center invites all energy students on campus to join our upcoming Energy Student Mixer, hosted by bpx Energy. Come network with bpx Energy representatives and gain insights into potential career pathways. This is an opportunity you don’t want to miss!

Complimentary food and drinks will be available.

Contact RSVP by April 7th For questions please contact Alexa Robinson,

Student & Alumni Engagement Specialist, at

alexa.robinson@mccombs.utexas.edu

Connect With Us

@KBHEnergyCenter

Date: Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Time: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Location: In Person EER 3.646 or Stream Online (via Zoom or YouTube)

UT Energy Symposium

Bio:

Jackson Dorsey is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Texas at Austin. He was previously an Assistant Professor at Indiana University Kelley School of Business and completed his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Arizona in 2018. His research focuses on environmental economics, energy economics, and industrial organization. His recent work aims to understand the market impacts of clean energy technologies, such as solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles, and energy storage. This includes investigating the determinants of energy technology adoption and drawing implications for public policy.

Abstract:

Reducing carbon emissions from the electricity sector is a necessary step towards mitigating future damages from climate change. Recent innovations in renewable energy, electricity storage, and carbon capture provide promising pathways to decarbonization. However, a successful path to decarbonization requires maintaining affordable energy costs and ensuring electricity reliability.

This presentation will delve into why market forces alone are insufficient for solving the carbon pollution problem. We will examine current clean energy policies and evaluate the role of renewable energy in the energy transition. We will discuss the advantages and shortcomings of current policies and consider who will bear the financial burden of the transition. We will consider strategies for increasing policy effectiveness and balancing emission reductions with energy affordability and reliability to maximize societal welfare.

Energizing the Future: Powering Careers in Energy

FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

AT&T Conference Center, 1900 University Ave, Austin, TX 78705

Morning Keynote: How to Start and Build an Energy Company
Matt Gallagher, Greenlake EnergyPanel 1: Mapping a Career in Energy, and Opportunities and Pitfalls Along the Way
Panel 2: Energy Transition in the Energy Value ChainFriday Registration:
• This is a limited-seating event. To secure your spot, register here.
• For updates, please visit: KBH Energy Center Spring Energy Summit.

Energizing the Future:
Powering Careers in Energy

The Spring Energy Summit, held as part of UT Energy Week, is a bridge-building event that will facilitate connections and collaborations between students and industry leaders. The 2024 Summit will feature a series of thought-provoking panels and discussions led by students and professionals in the energy industry.

Learn, collaborate, and engage with university peers, alumni, and energy leaders who are making an impact in the industry.

OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS AT UT!

PANELS & SPEAKERS

Morning Keynote – How to Start and Build an Energy Company

Panel 1 – Mapping a Career in Energy, and Opportunities and Pitfalls Along the Way

Featuring:

Scott McNeill, CEO of Black Mountain Sand
Blake Williams, CEO of Wild Basin Energy

Moderators:

Kendal Valois, Economics and Energy Management Student
Lynsie Patschke, Energy and Earth Resources Student

Panel 2 – Energy Transition in the Current Energy Value Chain

Featuring:

Teague Egan, Founder and CEO of EnergyX
David Pruner, Executive Director of TEX-E

Moderators:

Nazmun Samiya, Economics and Energy Management Student
Aaron Hall, MBA Student

THURSDAY, MARCH 28

The University of Texas at Austin:
Robert R. Rowling Hall (RRH), 300 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Austin, TX 78705
AT&T Conference Center, 1900 University Ave., Austin, TX 78705

8:00 – 8:30

Registration & Breakfast – Crum Auditorium Foyer, RRH 1.400F

8:30 – 9:00

Opening Remarks & Keynote – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Laurie Fitzmaurice
President, Carbon Removals, Drax Group

9:00 – 10:00

Panel: A Nuclear Carol: The Future of Nuclear via the Past and Present Perspectives of France, U.S., and Texas – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Sunil Felix
French Atomic Commission, US Embassy (Washington DC)
Jimmy Glotfelty
Commissioner, Public Utility Commission of Texas
Dale Klein (Moderator)
Former Commissioner of Nuclear Regulatory Commission; Professor, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at AustinFREE COURSE Hosted by Texas Executive Education
Decision Quality, Taught by Eric Bickel
Uncertainty makes decision-making difficult, but knowing how to effectively navigate it is a sought-after business skill, especially as you acquire more authority and accountability in your role. In this session, Professor Eric Bickel will breakdown the science of what makes decision-making and forecasting difficult and the skills and mindset necessary to excel in these tasks. He will introduce a framework for thinking about decisions and discuss biases that can degrade the quality of our forecasts.

10:00 – 10:30

Break

10:30 – 11:15

Panel: Decarbonization Strategies: From Science to Practice – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Matthieu Auzanneau
Executive Director, The Shift Project
Faye Gerard
Energy Transition Director, International Association of Oil & Gas Producers
AJ Simon
Head of Industrial Decarbonization, Carbon Direct
Carey King (Moderator)
Assistant Director, Research Scientist, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin

11:15 – 11:45

Energy Journalism Keynote: Introduction to Climate and Energy Communications Fair – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Justin Worland, Senior Correspondent, TIME

11:45 – 1:15

Lunch | Energy & Climate Communications Fair – Rowling Hall Atrium, RRH 1.300
Featured guests:
• Alpheus Media
• Climate Fresk
• Disco Learning Media
• Jones-Dilworth
• Power Trip (PBS)
• Sun PR

1:15 – 2:00

Panel: Energy/Climate PR & Journalism – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Lucy Atkinson
Associate Professor, School of Advertising & Public Relations; Associate Director, UT Global Sustainability Leadership Institute
Andy Uhler
Energy Journalism Fellow for the Energy Institute at The University of Texas at Austin and the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University
Nora Ankrum (Moderator)
Research Project Manager and External Relations Coordinator, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
Additional panelists TBA

2:00 – 2:45

Panel: Grid Resilience – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Bill Barnes
Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, NRG
John Padalino
General Council, Chief Administrative Officer; Bandera Electric Cooperative
Tiffany Wu
Texas Energy Poverty Research Institute (TEPRI)
Doug Lewin (Moderator)
Founder, The Texas Energy & Power Newsletter

2:45 – 3:15

BETWEEN TWO CACTI WITH BRIAN KORGEL – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Luke Bassett (Senior Advisor and Director of Policy and Program Impact, IRA Implementation, U.S. Department of the Treasury) in conversation with Brian Korgel (Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin)

3:15 – 3:30

Break

3:30 – 4:00

SPECIAL KEYNOTE TBA – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400

4:00 – 5:00

Panel presented by Planet Texas 2050: Art Meets Energy – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Robert Ferry
Founding Director, Land Art Generator
Elizabeth Monoian
Founding Director, Land Art Generator
Constance White
Art + Music Manager, Austin International Airport
Additional panelists TBA

5:00 – 5:30

AFTERNOON KEYNOTE – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Anissa Rodriguez Dickerman, CEO, Pecan Street

5:30 – 7:00

Energy Institute & KBH Energy Center Evening Reception – AT&T Conference Center Courtyard

UT Energy Week 2024 will showcase the research of UT Austin students on various energy-related topics. Join us at UT Energy Week for the Student Research Poster Competition on Wednesday, March 27, to explore the energy research happening at UT, connect with students and industry professionals, and gain valuable insights into the latest trends in the energy field.

STUDENTS: There is still time to submit your abstracts for an opportunity to present at UT Energy Week and compete to win awards from a prize pool of $1,750! Apply today: https://lnkd.in/gSxvRW3R

8:00 – 8:30

Registration & Breakfast – Crum Auditorium Foyer, RRH 1.400F

8:30 – 8:45

Opening Address – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Jay Hartzell
President, The University of Texas at Austin

8:45 – 9:15

Opening Keynote – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Ezra Yacob
CEO, EOG

9:15 – 10:00

Panel: Progress Toward Energy Independence After the 1970s Oil Embargo – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
JR DeShazo (Moderator)
Dean, LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin
Buzz Smith
Executive Director, Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance (TXETRA)
Michael Webber
Professor and John J. McKetta Centennial Energy Chair in Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin

10:00 – 10:15

Break

10:15 – 11:00

Panel: HyVelocity Hub – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Brian Korgel
Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
Crystal Perkins
Senior Regional Advisor, U.S. Department of Energy
Gaurav Sinha
Vice President, Green Hydrogen Origination, The AES Company
Charlie Trivette
Business Venture Advisor, ExxonMobil
Liz Ramsay Dalton (Moderator)
Executive Director, HyVelocity Hub, GTI Energy

11:00 – 11:45

Panel: Low-Carbon Aviation – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400

Parker Bryant
Head of Product, ZeroAvia
Santh Sathya
CEO, LuftCar
Danielle McLean (Moderator)
Founder, HYSKY Society
Additional panelists TBA

11:45 – 1:15

Lunch | Career Engagement Mix & Mingle
– Rowling Hall Atrium, RRH 1.300
Participating Companies:
• AES
• ExxonMobil
• P66
• RWE
• Shell
• Siemens
• Sunnova
If your company would like to participate in this event, email nora@energy.utexas.edu.Campus Energy Tour
Details TBA

1:15 – 2:00

Panel: Embodied Carbon – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Juliana Felkner
Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, The University of Texas at Austin
Dirk Kestner
Principal, Director of Sustainable Design; Walter P. Moore
Jennifer Wong
Director, Materials Lab, School of Architecture, The University of Texas at Austin
Gail Vittori (Moderator)
Co-Director, Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems
Additional panelists TBA

2:00 – 2:30

BETWEEN TWO CACTI WITH BRIAN KORGEL
Ira Ehrenpreis (Founder and managing partner, DBL; Independent Director, Tesla Board) in conversation with Brian Korgel (Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin)

2:30 – 3:00

Fireside Chat: Decarbonization Roadmapping: The Why, What, and How
– Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Ryan Macaluso (Manager of New Energies & Carbon, Motiva Enterprise) and Jerry Price (Managing Director, Green Star BCS) in conversation with Drew Higgins (Board Chair, Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance [TXETRA])

3:00 – 3:15

BreakFREE COURSE Hosted by Texas Executive Education
Creative Solutions to Complex Problems, Taught by Gaylen Paulson
Elegant solutions may appear obvious in hindsight but are difficult to identify in the moment. Learn very practical strategies for discovering creative solutions. Explore individual problem-solving methods and tactics, along with ways to overcome barriers to innovative thinking. Go beyond brainstorming to harness the creative energy of the group while avoiding “analysis paralysis” and the dreaded “groupthink.”

3:15 – 4:00

Panel: Geothermal – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Silviu Livescu
Co-Founder, CTO Bedrock Energy
Malcolm Ross
Strategic Advisor, Eavor Technologies
Cindy Taff
CEO, Sage Geosystems Inc.
Ken Wisian (Moderator)
Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin

4:00 – 4:45

Panel: When Community Engagement Works: Success Stories & Best Practices – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Dorian Cockrell
Vice President, Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Nagruk Harcharek
President, The Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat
Marilu Hastings
Executive Vice President, The Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation; Advisory Board Chair, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin

4:45 – 5:30

Panel: Sunshine, Wine, & Wool: Agrivoltaics in Texas’ Energy Transition – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
JR Howard
CEO, Texas Solar Sheep
Blake Mendez
Board President, CleanCo Energie
Alexis Pascaris
Agrivoltaic Researcher, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Kyle Simpson (Moderator)
Advisory Board Member, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin; Board Member, Permian Basin Energy Development Laboratory (PEDL); Principal, KSE Holdings

5:30 – 7:30

Evening Reception
Student-Led Energy Research Poster Competition
– Crum Auditorium Foyer, RRH 1.400F
Hosted by the Longhorn Energy Club (LEC), Switch Energy Club, and UT American Nuclear Society
Student Club Showcase & Mixer
– Rowling Hall Atrium, RRH 1.300

TUESDAY, MARCH 26

The University of Texas at Austin
Robert B. Rowling Hall (RRH), 300 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Austin, TX 78705
Engineering Education & Research Center (EER), 2501 Speedway, Austin, TX 78705

8:00 – 8:30

Registration & Breakfast – Crum Auditorium Foyer, RRH 1.400FTexas Nuclear Symposium: Day 2
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Engineering Education & Research Center (EER), Room 3.646

7:00 a.m.Breakfast8:00 a.m.Welcome Remarks8:15 a.m.–Nuclear Robotics
–Robots in Dangerous Environments
–Robots & Humans9:15 a.m.–Defense & Nonproliferation
– Safeguards & Security
– Radiochemistry/ORNL
–Nuclear Test Detection10:00 a.m.Break10:15 a.m.–Medical/Health Physics & Medical Detectors
–Radiation Physics/Health Physics
-Medical Isotopes11:15 a.m.Stewardship (Radiation Effects)11:30 a.m.Future Vision & Closing Remarks

8:30 – 8:45

Opening Remarks – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Brian Korgel, Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin

8:45 – 9:45

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS: PART 1
Carbon Management, CCUS

– Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400

Computational Design and Engineering of Biocatalysts for CO2 Conversion
Yi Lu (Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences) and Narayana Aluru (Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering)Combining Quantitative Leakage Risk Assessment with Financial Liability for CO2 Geologic Storage
Sahar Bakhshian and Susan Hovorka (Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences) and James Dyer (Department of Information, Risk, and Operations Management; McCombs School of Business)Self-Sealing Capacity of Wellbore Cement Under Geologic CO2 Storage
Charles Werth and Maria Juenger (Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering; Cockrell School of Engineering) and Sahar Bakhshian (Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences)Carbon Dioxide Hydrates-Based Carbon Sequestration on the Seabed
Vaibhav Bahadur (Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering) and Yingda Lu (Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering)Impacts of Geochemistry on Carbon Dioxide Adsorption in Organic-Rich Mudrocks
Zoya Heidari and Nicolas Espinoza (Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering)Laboratory experiments and modeling to accurately evaluate critical CO2 saturation for geologic carbon storage
Hailun Ni and Sahar Bakhshian (Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences) and David DiCarlo (Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering)Long-term Surveillance of Plugged and Abandoned Wells for Immediate Detection of CO2 Leakage in Geologic Carbon Storage Sites
Sahar Bakhshian, Susan Hovorka and Michael H. Young (Jackson School of Geosciences – Bureau of Economic Geology)Enabling Zero Carbon Emission by Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Technology
Guihua Yu, Jamie Warner and Yuanyue Liu (Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas Materials Institute)Study CO2 foams in an effort to improve long-term
Angel Wileman and Sarah Stuart (Southwest Research Institute – SwRI); David DiCarlo and Masa Prodanovic (Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering)Study CO2 pipeline flow behaviors as part of a larger effort to facilitate large-scale carbon capture utilization
and storage (CCUS)
Kevin Supak and Kelsi Katcher (Southwest Research Institute – SwRI); Yingda Lu (Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering)

9:45 – 10:30

Clean Hydrogen

Hydrogen Production at Natural Gas Wellheads
Yingda Lu and Kishore Mohanty (Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering)

Controlling Intrinsic Defects in Metal Oxides for High-Performance, Low-Cost Green Hydrogen Production
Delia Milliron, Joaquin Resasco and Wennie Wang (McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering)

Integrated Computational and Experimental Microscopic Elucidation of Amorphous Electrocatalysts for Water Splitting
Wennie Wang, Joaquin Resasco and C. Buddie Mullins (McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering)

Ammonia Reforming to Hydrogen Using Non-Equilibrium Plasma Discharges
Fabrizio Bisetti and Thomas Underwood (Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Cockrell School of Engineering)

Develop and evaluate an enhanced turbine cooling method to facilitate the use of cleaner hydrogen fuel engine applications
David Bogard (Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering) and Ellen Smith (Southwest Research Institute – SwRI)

Create a cost-effective and environmentally friendly method for producing hydrogen fuel
Thomas C. Underwood (Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics), Fabrizio Bisetti (Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics | Oden Institute), Graeme Henkelman (Department of Chemistry | Oden Institute), C. Buddie Mullins and Michael Miller (Southwest Research Institute – SwRI)

Leveraging Permian Basin Assets for the Emerging Clean Hydrogen Energy Economy in Texas
Michael C. Lewis (Center for Electromechanics, Cockrell School of Engineering) and Ning Lin (Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences)

10:30 – 10:45

Break

10:45 – 11:30

BETWEEN TWO CACTI WITH BRIAN KORGEL
The Case for Collaboration: Bridging the Gap Between Industry and Academia to Advance Energy Research – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Haibin Xu (Shell) and Dominic Clausi (ExxonMobil), in conversation with Brian Korgel (Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin)

11:30 – 12:30

Lunch | Research Poster Session for Morning Research Teams: Carbon Management, CCUS, and Clean Hydrogen
Rowling Hall Atrium, RRH 1.300 | Crum Auditorium Foyer, RRH 1.400FWorkshop: From Hydrogen Market Development to Project Development
Hosted in Partnership with the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN)
11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m
RRH 5.210 (5th Floor Special Events Room)

Hydrogen has been widely discussed as potentially playing a significant role in a decarbonized future. Sitting at the intersection of the “electron” and “molecule” sides of the energy industry, hydrogen has the potential to work in concert with other key energy vectors and decarbonization tools to aid in the push toward a cleaner future. This half-day workshop will explore the potential role hydrogen could play in the broader economy and highlight challenges associated with growing the global market.

The workshop will feature three key segments:
Hydrogen Market (11-11:45am): An overview of the global hydrogen market, including a view of foundational supply and demand dynamics.
Amy Herbert, CEO, Arcadia Fuels
Ryan Eslicker, Business Development Director, EDF
Ryan Macaluso, Manager of New Energies & Carbon, Motiva Enterprise
Moderator: TBA

Hydrogen and Geopolitics (12:30-1:15pm): The interplay of national and regional actors in driving demand and supply for clean hydrogen globally.
Chris Hardy, Hydrogen Origination, Chevron
Lindsey Bok, Lower Carbon Manager, Equinor
Dickson Chin, Partner, Jones Day
Moderator: Michael Webber, Professor, The University of Texas at Austin

Hydrogen Project Commercialization (1:30-2:15pm): Navigating the project commercialization process and assessing new commercial models required to make hydrogen projects bankable.
Abby Spring-Mann, Managing Partner, Société General
Marc Van Den Boom, Senior Vice President of Operations US Gulf Coast, Worley
Kyle Doherty, Senior Associate, Baker Botts LLP
Moderator: Drake Hernandez, Hydrogen and Low-Carbon Fuels, Charles River Associates

12:30 – 1:30

UT ENERGY SYMPOSIUM: Can Business Models Accelerate Sustainable Energy Transitions in the Commercial Sector Without the Need for Government & Utility Incentives or Feed-In Tariffs? The Budderfly Case Study
Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Matthew Nemerson
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, Budderfly

1:30 – 2:15

Panel Discussion
Getting a Head Start on Innovation: Insights from Student Energy Startup Founders – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Joshua Ammon Johnson (A&M Prairie View, senior)
Founder, Horizon
Jack Phillips (University of Texas at Austin, graduated 2023)
CEO, MACH Transit
Sajana Raj (University of Texas at Austin, sophomore)
Founder and CEO, Energy Umbrella
Jeremy Pitts (Moderator)
Managing Director, Activate Houston

2:15 – 3:00

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS: PART 2
Environmental Monitoring, Supply Chain, Circular Economy and Policy

– Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400

Uncertainty Quantification for Circular Economies and Supply Chains
Michael Baldea (Oden Institute and McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering) and Erhan Kutanoglu (Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering)

Developing a Network of Ecological Sensors for Analysis of Long-Term Acoustic and Environmental Data
Timothy Keitt and Andrea Contina (Department of Integrative Biology, College of Natural Sciences)

Go Clean Fast: The Political Economy of Green Industrial Policy
Joshua W. Busby and Nathan Jenson (Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs)

Industrial Decarbonization

Breaking the Hydrocarbon Cascade in Electric Process Heating: Strategies for Upgrading Fuel Gas Streams
Michael Baldea, Thomas C. Underwood and Buddie Mullins (McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics)

Modernizing Brownfield Electric Power System Reliability and Quality to Support the Electrification of Industrial Processes
Surya Santoso and Brian Johnson (Chandra Family Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering)

Water Use & Conservation

The Effects of Surfactants, Salt Concentration and Suspended Solids on Selective Oil Permeation
Lynn Katz and Frank Seibert (Department of Civil, Architectural & Environmental Engineering, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources)

3:00 – 3:30

Break

3:30 – 4:30

RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS: PART 3
Power Grid and E-Mobility; Low/Zero-Carbon Fuels and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)

– Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400

The Future of Geothermal in Texas: Exploring Technology Breakthroughs & Policy Solutions
Hosted by PowerHouse Texas and the Texas Energy & Climate Caucus
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Texas State Capitol Extension Hearing Room E2.030
(See page 5 of the Capitol visitor map here.)

This Energy Innovation Forum brings together leading experts to discuss the latest geothermal technology breakthroughs, the status of implementing geothermal-related legislation from last session, and what more the legislature can do to support this rapidly growing industry.

Senator Brian Birdwell, District 22
Jennifer Bremer, Executive Director, Texas Land & Mineral Owner Association
Cindy D. Taff, CEO, Sage Geosystems
Dr. Ken Wisian, Associate Director, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin
Jason Sorter, Community Engagement and Policy Director, Geothermal Rising

Moderator: Matt Welch, Executive Vice President, Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance

You may register here for this affiliated event.

Lower Grid Emissions and Better Grid Performance
Kara Kockelman (Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering) and Benjamin Leibowicz (Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering)

Toward Equitable Transportation Electrification in Austin, TX
Junfeng Jiao, Kijin Seong and Abigail Johnson (Community and Regional Planning, School of Architecture)

Advanced Algorithms for Optimizing Electricity Demand of Electric Vehicle Fleets in Texas to Support the Grid and Local Communities
Javad Mohammadi and Sergio Castellanos (Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering; Cockrell School of Engineering)

A Modular and Flexible DC-AC Converter Cell for Future Grid Systems
Brian Johnson and Alex Hanson (Chandra Family Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering)

Manufacturing of High-Strength Nanolattice Coating for Cryogenic Liquid Hydrogen Fuel Storage
Chih-Hao Chang and Li Shi (Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering)

Analysis of Permian Basin Clean Ammonia Production, Distribution, and Market Demand
Michael Lewis (Center for Electromechanics), Ning Lin (Bureau of Economic Geology) and Vaibhav Bahadur (Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering)

Microbial Reactions during Underground Hydrogen Storage
Kishore Mohanty and Wen Song (Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering)

4:30 – 5:15 p.m.

Startup Night Keynote Address – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Nicole Iseppi
Director, Global Energy Innovation, Bezos Earth Fund

5:15 – 5:30 p.m.

Startup Night: Energy Startup Spotlight Presentations – Crum Auditorium, RRH 1.400
Jhana Porter
Founder, CEO, Frakktal
Joselyn Lai
Co-Founder, CEO, Bedrock Energy

5:30 – 7:30

Startup Night: Evening Reception – RRH 5.210 (5th Floor Special Events Room)
Energy Startup Showcase & Mixer (5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.)
Featured guests:
• Activate Houston
• Austin Urban Technology Movement
• Bedrock Energy
• Capital Factory
• Energy Umbrella
• Frakktal
• Genesis UT
• Horizon
• IC2 Institute
• MACH Transit
• Launchpad UT
• Texas Entrepreneurship Exchange for Energy (TEX-E)
• Texas Venture Labs
• Tech Ranch
• UT Inclusive Entrepreneurship & Innovation
• Verified Carbon
Research Poster Session for Afternoon Teams (5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.)
Topics: Environmental Monitoring, Supply Chain, Circular Economy, Policy, Industrial Decarbonization, Water Use & Conservation, Power Grid & E-Mobility, Low/Zero-Carbon Fuels and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs)
Energy Venture Practicum: Elevator Pitches (6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.)

Texas Nuclear Symposium: Day 1

MONDAY, MARCH 25, 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The University of Texas at Austin, Engineering Education & Research Center (EER), Room 0.804, 2501 Speedway, Austin, TX 78705

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Networking Hour

1:00 p.m.

Welcome Remarks

1:15 p.m.

Molten Salt Research Reactor Discussion

2:00 p.m.

Break

2:15 p.m.

Digital Twin Discussion

3:15 p.m.

Working Groups
– Human Capital
– NETL

4:15 p.m.

Lightning Talks

5:00 p.m.

Poster Session
Light refreshments

Location: Austin Studio and Garden

Hosts: Hosted by LEC in collaboration with Switch Energy Club and Energy Resources Group

Moderator: Dr. King, who will ensure the debates are both engaging and insightful.

Format: Designed as a happy hour to foster a casual and inviting atmosphere, encouraging student participation.

Prospective Date & Time: Tuesday, March 19, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM or Thursday, March 21 (We'll confirm the final date shortly)

REGISTER HERE

During a discussion titled “EU & U.S. Perspectives on Clean Tech and Energy Security,” these policy leaders will shed light on the key strategies, challenges, and opportunities in advancing sustainable energy.

The esteemed speakers for the evening include:

• Ditte Juul Jørgensen, Director General for Energy of the European Commission.

• Kay Bailey Hutchison, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO and namesake of the KBH Energy Center at The University of Texas at Austin.

• Dan Brouillette, former U.S. Secretary of Energy, member of the KBH Energy Center Executive Council.

The discussion will be moderated by UT Professor Michael Webber, John J. McKetta Centennial Energy Chair in Engineering, ensuring a dynamic and informative exchange of perspectives.

This event offers a rare opportunity to gain valuable insights into the policies, innovations, and collaborative efforts driving clean tech and energy security agendas on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion!

Date: Saturday, March 16th

Time: 

5:00 PM Registration

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Program

6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Reception 

Location: Austin Energy | 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Austin Energy for graciously hosting this event.

Atomic Hope is an educational film about the challenges of the modern climate movement and why nuclear energy isn't discussed as much as it should be. Join ACC at UT and the UT Nuclear Society on Tuesday, March 5th at CPE 2.220 on campus for a pizza dinner, film screening, and post film discussion.

RSVP Here

Join the Campus Environmental Center (CEC) for their second Connect session on Tuesday, March 5, from 6-7pm. This week's focus is on sustainable fashion.

Location

WCP Room 3.114

Mark G. Lauby
Senior Vice President and Chief Engineer, NERC

Bio:

Mark G. Lauby is senior vice president and chief engineer at NERC. Mr. Lauby joined NERC in January 2007 and has held a number of positions, including vice president and director of Standards and vice president and director of Reliability Assessments and Performance Analysis.

In 2012, Mr. Lauby was elected to the North American Energy Standards Board and was appointed to the Department of Energy’s Electric Advisory Committee by the Secretary of Energy in 2014. Mr. Lauby has served as chair and is a life member of the International Electricity Research Exchange and served as chair of a number of IEEE working groups. From 1999 to 2007, Mr. Lauby was an appointed member of the Board of Excellent Energy International Co., LTD, an energy service company based in Thailand. He has been recognized for his technical achievements in many technical associations, including the 1992 IEEE Walter Fee Young Engineer of the Year Award. He was named a Fellow by IEEE in November 2011 for “leadership in the development and application of techniques for bulk power system reliability.” In 2014, Mr. Lauby was awarded the IEEE Power and Energy Society’s Roy Billinton Power System Reliability Award. In 2020, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) elected Mr. Lauby as a member, citing his development and application of techniques for electric grid reliability analysis. He is also a member of the IEEE Power & Energy Society (PES) Executive Advisory Committee, focused on providing strategic support to the PES Board of Directors.

Prior to joining NERC, Mr. Lauby worked for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) for 20 years, holding a number of senior positions, including: director, Power Delivery and Markets; managing director, Asia, EPRI International; and manager, Power System Engineering in the Power System Planning and Operations Program. Mr. Lauby began his electric industry career in 1979 at the Mid-Continent Area Power Pool in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His responsibilities included transmission planning, power system reliability assessment, and probabilistic evaluation.

Mr. Lauby is the author of more than 100 technical papers on the subjects of power system reliability, expert systems, transmission system planning, and power system numerical analysis techniques. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota. In addition, Mr. Lauby attended the London Business School Accelerated Development Program as well as the Executive Leadership Program at Harvard Business School.

Abstract: 

As the green revolution gains momentum, it presents unique hurdles for grid operators and managers. These challenges encompass the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, grid stability and reliability concerns, and the need to modernize infrastructure to accommodate the evolving energy landscape. By confronting these roadblocks head-on, the transmission and distribution sector can devise innovative strategies and adopt advanced technologies to ensure the efficient integration of renewables, enhance grid flexibility and maintain a reliable power supply. Overcoming these operational challenges is crucial for realizing the vision of a cleaner, more sustainable energy future and achieving the collective goals of a greener grid.

Note: This talk will be presented remotely via Zoom Webinar and on the Energy Institute's YouTube channel. If using Zoom, viewers must register for an account with Zoom and log in to Zoom using that registration in order to use the meeting link and participate. Faculty, students and staff of UT, please use your personal UT Zoom account. 

To view the talk on YouTube, there are two options: 

1. Click: https://www.youtube.com/@utenergyinstitute/featured

The Webinar will be listed as a video thumbnail with the word “LIVE NOW” in the window. Click on that thumbnail. 

1. Alternatively, Click: https://www.youtube.com/@utenergyinstitute to take you to the HOME page of the Energy Institute’s YouTube page.

Then if needed, select the “LIVE” option from the set of tabs in the middle of the screen, at the top of the array of thumbnails for old videos.  The Webinar should then the uppermost-left video, with a “live” indicator on it. Click on that thumbnail to watch the live streaming video. 

Participate in a national convening of energy employers, policymakers, and community-based organizations that are developing the reentry workforce pipeline.

Register Here!

Designed to ignite the entrepreneurial spirit in the energy industry, this competition showcases a remarkable competition for emerging startups in the energy field. This is your chance to promote your ingenuity and creativity by presenting your groundbreaking solutions, technologies, and business models that will revolutionize the energy sector. Compete with other energy startups to win prizes, gain visibility and recognition by industry leaders, gain mentorship and network with energy investors!

UT's Energy Institute, Texas Venture Labs, Longhorn Energy Club, and TEX-E host this epic adventure bringing together students, researchers, industry, and organizations for an afternoon of networking and panels. All student clubs with members interested in energy and sustainability are welcome to join and to co-host the tabling event. The program kicks off with a discussion and Q&A exploring a vision for a strong, interdisciplinary, student-led innovation ecosystem at UT and beyond.

Location: UT Campus, Rowling Hall Atrium & Crum Auditorium

More details to come!

Calling all students interested in Energy and Sustainability!

The Longhorn Energy Club—UT's club for all students, from any discipline, who are interested in different facets of energy—kicks off the Fall semester on August 25, 12 p.m., at WCP 1.106 with a meet-and-greet featuring the following:

---$31,000-Prize Student Design Competition: Founder and Chair of  Energy Mentors and ex-chief engineer of ExxonMobil, Don Victory will unveil details about an international design competition ‘Power the Community’, empowering you to shape the future through innovation.

---TEX-E fellowship info session:  TEX-E is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between MIT, Greentown Labs, and Texas Universities. Fellows Lynsie Patschke and Nazmun Samiya will share details about the September 22-24 TEX-E Bootcamp. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet TEX-E fellows at the LEC kick-off event.

--- The UT Energy Institute's Nora Ankrum will be on hand to share information about upcoming student engagement opportunities.

LIMITED SPOTS: Register here

Free Pizza!

Join us for the second Cohort 2024 Application Webinar to learn more about the Activate Fellowship, the application and selection process, and to get your questions answered live by our team!

Activate transforms scientists and engineers into founders. The two-year Activate Fellowship provides early-stage science entrepreneurs with funding, technical resources, and unparalleled support from a network of scientists, engineers, technologists, and fellow entrepreneurs.

For more information about the fellowship and this year's application process and to sign up for application updates, visit https://www.activate.org/apply.

Join us this Monday, Oct. 3rd for our first LEC meeting of the semester!! We'll be having activites, a general discussion on the energy space, and free food! Looking forward to seeing you all there!