UT Energy Week 2022
Leveraging Our Strengths, Focusing on the Future
Wednesday, March 2
9:00 – 9:05 |
Welcome and Opening Remarks |
9:05 – 9:45 |
The Great Energy Transition • View the recording on YouTube Keynote Address by John Berger, CEO, Sunnova Energy International Inc. |
9:45 – 10:45 |
Panel 3: Hydrogen Storage and the Power Sector • View the recording on YouTube
For a hydrogen economy at scale, proven and cost-effective hydrogen storage solutions are needed that cover short and long-term storage needs. Evan Frye (Moderator)
Back to top of pageStranded Natural Gas Program Manager US Department of Energy • Click to view PDF slides Peter Eichhubl Mojdeh Delshad Reid Larson Kevin Harris |
10:45 – 11:00 |
Break |
11:00 – 12:00 |
Panel 4: Hydrogen Generation and Distribution • View the recording on YouTube
The use of hydrogen as a fuel requires that hydrogen be derived from another chemical compound, typically methane CH4 steam reforming (gray or blue hydrogen) or water H2O hydrolysis using renewable energy (green hydrogen). If one considers the transportation network analog for gasoline and natural gas (pipelines, pressurized tube trailers, and liquified tankers), hydrogen is currently more expensive per unit energy volume in comparison. However, there are unique opportunities for more distributed hydrogen production that could reduce end-to-end supply chain costs. This panel will focus on the hydrogen value chain from generation to distribution and associated research and infrastructure needs to balance economic efficiency and sustainability. Hugh Daigle (Moderator)
Back to top of pageAssociate Professor Hildebrand Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, UT Austin Joaquin Resasco Lorena Moscardelli Edward Yu Kathy Ayers |
12:00 – 12:45 |
Break for Lunch |
12:45 – 1:45 |
Panel 5: Improving Grid Resilience • View the recording on YouTube
Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 highlighted the Texas government’s lack of preparedness for extreme weather, the interdependency of energy systems and networks, and the impacts of large-scale grid failures. As the electric grid evolves to incorporate more and newer types of generation and storage technologies at multiple scales, what are the technologies, regulations, and market structures that best ensure grid resilience at an affordable cost? These questions are not a Texas-only issue, but due to ERCOT’s relatively unique market design, it provides an interesting case study to discuss needed improvements. Mose Buchele (Moderator)
Back to top of pageSenior Correspondent, Energy and Environment KUT Austin Eric Gimon Cyrus Reed Caitlin Smith Erika Bierschbach |
1:45 – 2:45 |
Panel 6: Carbon Removal Entering the Mainstream • View the recording on YouTube
CO2 direct air capture (DAC) has progressed rapidly, driven in part by philanthropic and corporate initiates focused on research, demonstration, and deployment. DAC has advantages because of its limited land and water requirements and ability to co-locate near CO2 storage sites to reduce long-distance transportation of the captured carbon. Although the technology is currently expensive, DAC is a critical opportunity for further research and investment. This session will cover DAC’s technological state-of-play and expectations surrounding advances in research, deployment, and public policy. Jan Mazurek (Moderator) Anna Stukas Natalie Khtikian |
2:45 – 3:00 |
Break |
3:00 – 4:00 |
Panel 7: Industrial Decarbonization • View the recording on YouTube
The technical challenge of decarbonizing industrial processes is similar in scale and complexity within the respective power, agriculture, and transportation sectors. Processes incumbent to a handful of industries, like food processing, technology, and cement and steel, collectively account for a substantial portion of global emission. During this session, industry experts will discuss their visions for achieving significant demand-side decarbonization and how these strategies pave the way for other industries to follow suit. The discussion will also cover pressing technical opportunities and barriers for industrial decarbonization. Marwa Al-Ansary (Moderator)
Back to top of pageGM Long Range Research and Experimentation Shell • Click to view PDF slides Brian Korgel Todd Brady
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4:00 – 5:00 |
Panel 8: Finance of Emerging Energy Startups • View the recording on YouTube
The panel brings together professionals that have deep experience in the funding of emerging energy startups. Topics will include the range of financing options that are available or appropriate for various stages of development status of new companies. Panelists will discuss their processes and factors for originating and screening potential investment opportunities; acceptance of technology and market risks; vetting management teams and building organizations; types of relationships between investors and their portfolio companies; ESG considerations (and other similar factors) both at time of investment underwriting and potential exits; and investment time horizons and monetization methods. Shawn Cumberland (Moderator) Paul Hobby Mike Freeman Ari Pribadi |