March 31 – April 4
2025
Program
All events will be Located at San Jacinto Hall, The University of Texas at Austin, 309 E 21st St, Austin, TX 78705. View location and parking details here.
Monday, March 31
A packed day of presentations, poster sessions, networking events, and more.
8 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast
8:30 a.m.
Texas Nuclear Symposium
A morning of presentations and panel discussions on nuclear energy, nuclear security, and medical applications of nuclear technology. Learn about ongoing research at UT and opportunities for the future in Texas, the U.S. and the world.
8:30 a.m. | Welcome Remarks
William Charlton, Director, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory;
Professor, John J. McKetta Energy Professorship in Engineering, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering
8:45 a.m. | National Security
Safeguards by Design to Facilitate Expanded Nuclear Power Worldwide
William Charlton (Moderator), Director, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory; Professor, John J. McKetta Energy Professorship in Engineering, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sheldon Landsberger, Professor, Robert B. Trull Chair in Engineering, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
Nuclear Robotics Program Speaker
9:30 a.m. | Emerging Topics in Nuclear Energy
Kevin Clarno (Moderator), Associate Professor, Charlotte Maer Patton Centennial Fellowship in Engineering, Nuclear and Radiation Program, The University of Texas at Austin
Greg Schultze, Strategy & Innovation Advisor, ExxonMobil
Elizabeth Sooby, Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy; Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, UTSA
Eric Wieser, Engineering Scientist Associate, The University of Texas at Austin
10:15 a.m. | Networking Break
10:30 a.m. | Current Projects in Nuclear Energy
Digital Twin of NETL, Kevin Clarno
MSR–1 Progress, Kevin Clarno
11:00 a.m. | Nuclear Advancements in Medicine
Health Physics & Medical Detectors, Elena Zannoni, Assistant Professor, Biomechanical and Biomedicine Engineering, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
Isotope Production, William Charlton, Director, Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory; Professor, John J. McKetta Energy Professorship in Engineering, Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering
11:30 a.m. | Student and Staff Lightning Talks
12:00 p.m. | Future Vision & Closing Remarks
Derek Haas (Moderator), Associate Professor, Nuclear & Radiation Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
12 p.m.
Networking Lunch
Enjoy lunch and networking.
1–6 p.m. | Energy Research Poster Competition
Co-Hosted by the Longhorn Energy Club, Switch Energy Club, and American Nuclear Society
This student-run competition features research in energy technology, policy, and economics, showcasing the work of researchers, undergraduates, and graduate students from any university. The poster sessions run throughout the afternoon on Monday and are open to the public, with research teams available to discuss their work. All attendees are invited to vote for their favorite research posters in the Audience Choice awards category. Posters will remain on display all day Tuesday, ahead of the award ceremony that evening.
Want to enter the competition? The application period is now open, with $8,000 available in prize money across all award categories.
4:00 p.m.
Energy Ventures Practicum Open House
Molly Bales, Director of Origination, Wood Clean Energy; Lecturer, The University of Texas at Austin
Michael Webber, Professor, John J. McKetta Centennial Energy Chair in Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, Sid Richardson Chair in Public Affairs, LBJ School of Public Policy, The University of Texas at Austin
Discover the Energy Ventures Practicum, a graduate level course that creates student teams to construct a framework for commercializing innovations and learn about the tools that entrepreneurs in the energy sector need to establish a successful business.
4:15 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
The Digital Wildcatters Interview: Exploring the Energy Ventures Practicum
Andy Bowman, CEO, Jupiter Power
Chuck Yates, Podcast Host, Chuck Yates Needs a Job, Digital Wildcatters; Galactic Viceroy, Sales & Business Development, Collide
5–7 p.m.
Evening Reception + Poster Competition Showcase
Sip and see posters of research taking place at UT and beyond; interact with researchers progressing energy technologies and innovations in policy, law, finance, and economics.
Tuesday, April 1
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day
Located at San Jacinto Hall, The University of Texas at Austin, 309 E 21st St, Austin, TX 78705. View location and parking details here.
Entrepreneurship Day features research presentations throughout the morning, followed by dynamic sessions with leaders in the energy entrepreneurship space throughout the afternoon. In the evening, Startup Night brings together energy startups, investors, student startup founders, and ecosystem supporters for a special networking event that includes startup pitches, poster competition awards, and more. Posters from the Interdisciplinary Energy Research Poster Competition will be on display throughout the day.
8:00 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast
8:30 a.m. | Welcome & Research Showcase Opening
Energy Institute Strategic Energy Seed Grant Program
Brian Korgel, Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
The Energy Institute at the University of Texas at Austin supported 12 collaborative projects through its 2024 Strategic Energy Seed Grant Program,
8:45 a.m. | Research Showcase: Part 1
Clean Hydrogen | Carbon Capture & Storage
Clean Hydrogen
8:45 a.m. | Distributed and electrified green ammonia production using plasma-catalysis
Presented by Thuy Ve (Vivian) Le and Varanasi Sai Subhankar
Charles B. Mullins (PI), McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences
Thomas Underwood, Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, Cockrell School of Engineering
Michael Webber, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
8:55 a.m. | Enhancing the durability of electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction through strong metal-support interactions
Presented by Akshat Singh
Delia Milliron (PI), McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Joaquin Resasco, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
9:05 a.m.| Innovating green hydrogen production: synthesizing high entropy alloys via bubble printing for enhanced electrocatalytic performance
Presented by Ming-Feng Hsieh
Yuebing Zheng (PI), Texas Materials Institute and Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Simon M. Humphrey, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences
Carbon Capture & Storage
9:15 a.m. | De-risking carbon capture with amine solvents using high resolution mass spectrometer methods
Presented by Cameron Carter
Fred Closmann (PI), McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Pawel Misztal, Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Ian Riddington, Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences
9:25 a.m. | Increase carbon sequestration and storage by accumulation of plant root biomass and microbiome
Presented by Selfinaz Velioglu
Z. Jeffrey Chen (PI), Department of Molecular Biosciences, College of Natural Sciences
Thomas E. Juenger, Department of Integrative Biology, College of Natural Sciences
9:35 a.m. | Lab-to-field scale time-lapse seismic monitoring for carbon storage
Presented by Shuvajit Bhattacharya
Shuvajit Bhattacharya (PI), Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
Hailun Ni, Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences
Nicola Tisato, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences
9:45 a.m.
Networking Break
10:00 a.m. | Research Showcase: Part 2
Industrial Decarbonization | Produced Water Treatment & Reuse | Battery Production & Critical Minerals
10:00 a.m. | Mitigating voltage sag disturbances for electrified industrial process loads
Presented by Damjan Zecevic and Hyenseong Mun
Surya Santoso (PI), Chandra Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Brian Johnson, Chandra Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
10:10 a.m. | From solar panels to sustainable concrete: development of solar waste glass pozzolan (SWAGPozz)
Presented by Aniruddha Baral
Raissa Ferron (PI), Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Christopher Rausch, Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Produced Water Treatment & Reuse
10:20 a.m. | Evaluation of a novel integrated ceramic membrane/hollow fiber membrane contactor process for produced water reuse
Presented by Julia McGuire
Lynn Katz (PI), Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Frank Seibert, Center for Energy and Environmental Resources, Cockrell School of Engineering
10:30 a.m. | Technical and techno-economic analysis of produced water treatment for green and blue hydrogen production in Texas
Presented by Shanthanu Katakam
Vaibhav Bahadur (PI), Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Michael Lewis, Center for Electromechanics, Cockrell School of Engineering
Michael Webber, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Battery Production & Critical Minerals
10:40 a.m. | Discovery of modified phosphate solid electrolytes for all-solid-state sodium batteries
Presented by Callum Campbell and David Mitlin
David Mitlin (PI), Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Donald Siegel, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
10:50 a.m. | Scalable tissue-inspired lithium extraction electrochemical membranes
Manish Kumar (PI), Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Venkat Ganesan, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
Harekrushna Behera (Presenter), Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering
11:00 a.m. | Midday Break
Networking Lunch & Entrepreneurship Mentorship Mixer
Enjoy lunch and network with fellow attendees. Students can connect with mentors in an entrepreneurship-focused mixer, including startup founders, investors, and ecosystem supporters.
Entrepreneurship Mentorship Mixer
Connect at the Entrepreneurship Mentorship Mixer — a relaxed, free-flowing event open to all students from any university. Mingle with peers and engage with experienced mentors in the energy entrepreneurship space.
Mentors Include:
Sanjay Bishnoi, CEO, Entropy Inc.
Andy Bowman, CEO, Jupiter Power
Andres Carvallo, CEO, CMG Consulting
Lindsey Ewertsen, Head of Talent, Base Power
Seyi Fabode, Director, Cleantech Innovation, RWE
Kristian Gubsch, Co-Founder & CTO, Mars Materials, Inc.
Isaiah Hughes, University Partnerships Director, TEX-E
Adhitya Jayasinghe, CEO, Gridify
Michael McCown, CEO, Energy Hire
Jason Rodriguez, CEO & Founder, Zpryme & Froliq
Tori Villarreal, Head of Public Policy & Government Affairs, Base Power
Coleman White, CEO, Verified Carbon
Free to attend for all students with UT Energy Week registration.
12:30 p.m. | UT Energy Symposium
Producing Low Carbon Power from Natural Gas & Carbon Capture
Sanjay Bishnoi, CEO, Entropy Inc.
Hosted by Carey King, Assistant Director, Research Scientist, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
This talk explores the journey of Entropy Inc., an entrepreneurial and private-equity-backed company that is working to commercialize low-carbon baseload power from natural gas fired generation and carbon capture technology. Entropy Inc. CEO Sanjay Bishnoi will discuss carbon intensity, the economics of power generation with carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), and the challenges of commercializing and scaling up power generation with CCS.
The UT Energy Symposium (UTES) is a weekly guest lecture series now in its 28th semester. Free and open to the public while also serving as a course available to students for course credit, UTES serves as a “convener” for the campus community and beyond, providing a multidisciplinary platform for energy professionals, UT faculty and students, and the public to interact and learn about pressing energy challenges.
1:30 p.m.
Break
1:45 p.m.
Entrepreneurship Chat: Are More DataCenters & More PowerPlants the Only Solution to AI Overloading Our Already Overloaded Grid?
William Cockerill, VP, Business Development, Essential Knowledge Systems
Wendy Howell, Client Engagement & Community Partner Ecosystem, Roc Search
Beddhu Murali, President, Essential Knowledge Systems
Dan Stanzione, Executive Director, Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), The University of Texas at Austin
In Jan of 2024 at Davos, Sam Altman made public for the first time something that was known by tech industry insiders since late Summer early Fall of 2023, that AI was eating cloud & onprem datacenters alive, and was overloading our already overloaded grid, and those impacts were going to continue to grow at a rapid rate well beyond 2030. His solution at the time, build more datacenters & build more powerplants.
This rapidly became a huge story in the general media, and the solution was echoed weeks later at a Bosch conference by Elon Musk and at CERA Week by Bill Gates. It has grown from a technology or business issue to become a societal issue. Work is being done to drive efficiencies in AI & datacenters but will any of these solutions grow beyond the margins to significantly mitigate the projected growth needs of datacenters and energy production to support AI growth?
In 2023, AI & datacenters consumed 4% of all electricity produced in the US, projections have now grown from that number being 8% in 2030, to now being 12% in 2028 and some industry players putting the number at over 20% in 2030. This is likely unsustainable, meaning efficiency has to be part of the solution.
2:15 p.m.
Founder Spotlight: Zachary Dell
Zachary Dell, Co-Founder & CEO, Base Power Company
2:30 p.m.
Founder Spotlight: Andre Gafford
Andre Gafford, Founder & CEO, Axis Sky Renewables
2:45 p.m.
Investor Spotlight: Craig Lawrence
Craig Lawrence, Partner, Energy Transition Ventures
3:00 p.m.
Networking Break
3:15 p.m.
Entrepreneurship Chat: Vanderbilt Fusion Project
Nora Ankrum (Interviewer), Strategic Communications Manager, Good Energy Collective
B. Thomas Edman, CTO, Vanderbilt Fusion Project
Founding member of the Vanderbilt Fusion Project share the story of how, as undergraduates, they built a functional miniature nuclear fusion reactor. The students will share how they leveraged limited undergraduate resources to build a diverse, interdisciplinary, and highly regarded organization in nuclear energy by leveraging strategic marketing, organizational development, and partnerships with industry and academia to advance clean energy engineering.
3:30 p.m.
Entrepreneurship Chat
Gabriel Cossio, Founder & CEO, Nanoscale Labs
Elise Liberto, Partner & Managing Director of Private Investments, Brown Advisory
John Slack, Founder & CEO, Rhoic
Coleman White, Co-Founder, Verified Carbon
Details to come.
4:00 p.m.
Entrepreneurship in Traditional Energy
Kirk Goehring, CEO, Benchmark Energy
William Harvey (Moderator), CEO, Voyager Midstream
Gene Shepherd, CEO, VTX Energy Partners
Michael Voss, Managing Director, Anthem Ventures
4:45 p.m.
Founder Spotlight: Alexander Girau
Alexander Girau (Moderator), CEO, Co-Founder, Group1; Energy Transition Fellow, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
5:05 p.m.
Ventures Chat
Mark Arnold, Associate Vice President, Discovery to Impact, The University of Texas at Austin
Sindhu Balan, Investment Manager, Chevron Technology Ventures
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Startup Night Reception
Connect with startup founders, investors, and entrepreneurship ecosystem supporters.
Student Startup Pitches by the Energy Ventures Practicum.
Energy Research Poster Competition Awards.
Featured companies and organizations include
- Activate Houston
- Austin Technology Incubator
- Axis Sky Renewables
- Base Power
- Capital Factory
- Genesis
- Gridify.ai
- Mars Materials
- Pike Robotics
- Texas Venture Labs
- TEX-E
- Type 1 Compute
- Verified Carbon
Light bites and refreshments provided.
Wednesday, April 2
San Jacinto Hall, The University of Texas at Austin, 309 E 21st St, Austin, TX 78705. View location and parking details here.
7:45 a.m.
Registration & Breakfast
8:15 a.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Dean Roger T. Bonnecaze, Cockrell School of Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
8:30 a.m.
A Conversation with Jim Davis and Ryan Lance
Jim Davis, Interim President, The University of Texas at Austin
Ryan Lance, Chairman, CEO, ConocoPhillips
Today’s program kicks off with a special event featuring the Interim President of The University of Texas at Austin in conversation with Ryan Lance, CEO of ConocoPhillips
9:15 a.m.
Grid Resilience
Brent Austgen, Decision Scientist & Power System Analyst, Sandia National Laboratories
Seyi Fabode, Director, Cleantech Innovation, RWE
Mike McDonald, VP of Product, Fluidstack
Kenan Ögelman (Moderator), Vice President, Strategic Projects and Optimization, Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA)
Matthew Rylander, Lead Engineer, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
As the energy landscape evolves with increasing energy demand, the integration of renewable resources, the rise of distributed generation, and the growing frequency of anomalous weather events, there is an urgent need for decision tools that enhance grid resilience. The complexities of energy infrastructure forces decision analysts to assess trade-offs in their models, which reflect the difficult nature of real-world decision making. We discuss these complexities and trade-offs and give some concrete examples from a wildfire restoration application.
10:00 a.m.
Networking Break
10:15 a.m.
Carbon Capture & Storage: Applications, Economics, Drivers, & Challenges
Sanjay Bishnoi (Moderator), CEO, Entropy Inc.
Parag Kulkarni, Executive Manager, Carbon Capture Solutions, GE Vernova
Mike Matson, Partner & Associate Director, Low Carbon Solutions, Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Tom Pavia, Carbon Capture Technology Ventures Manager, ExxonMobil
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) presents a decarbonization solution for existing industrial uses and for the buildout of baseload, low-carbon power for AI data centers. This panel explores the evolution of CCS technology, policy, demand trends, and challenges to widespread commercialization.
11:00 a.m.
The Economics & Policies of Decarbonizing Transportation
Nathalie Ionesco, COO, Haffner Energy
Phillip Martin (Moderator), Manager, Zero-Emissions Trucks, Environmental Defense Fund
Christian O’Neil, President & COO, Kirby Corporation
Alain Rouault, CEO, Watt and Well USA
Companies and countries throughout the world have made commitments to reduce greenhouse gases in the transportation sector. In particular, decarbonization of the shipping, airline, and trucking industries is among the most impactful ways to improve the environment. This effort is costly, and realizing the economic benefits of the transition requires thoughtfully crafted policies, effective incentives, and coordination among public and private stakeholders. This panel will bring together experts from each of the three main transportation industries to talk about the challenges and opportunities of the transition, and what the future holds at the state and national level.
11:45 a.m. | Midday Break
Networking Lunch, Energy Career Mixer, and Campus Energy Tour
Enjoy lunch and network with fellow attendees. Students can connect with energy companies and organizations in the Energy Career Mixer. Upload your resume here to be shared with representatives at the career mixer.
Energy Career Mixer
Engage with representatives from multiple companies while enjoying lunch, including:
Arcadia eFuels
Austin Energy
Chevron
Electric Power Engineers
Energy Hire
ExxonMobil
Grid Beyond
Gridify
Habitat Energy
Pike Robotics
Railroad Commission of Texas
RWE
Shell
SunPR
Campus Energy Tour
Tour Schedule
11:45am: Lunch & Learn (San Jacinto Hall)
12:15pm: Depart San Jacinto Hall
12:30pm: Tour Carl J. Eckhardt Combined Heating & Power Complex
1:10pm: Arrive back at San Jacinto Hall
Weather-permitting.
Jim Walker, Director, Office of Sustainability, The University of Texas at Austin
Clay L. Looney, Assistant Director of Plant Operations, Utilities and Energy Management, The University of Texas at Austin
Ryan Thompson, Director of Utilities, Utilities and Energy Management, The University of Texas at Austin
Powered by the Carl J. Eckhardt Combined Heating & Power Complex, the UT Austin campus is one of the nation’s largest microgrids, giving students a unique edge in learning about energy solutions. Join Jim Walker, Director of the Office of Sustainability, for a quick Lunch & Learn session at Energy Week headquarters (San Jacinto Hall), before taking a guided walk (about 10 mins) to the power plant, where UT’s Ryan Thompson, Director of Utilities Operations, and Clay Looney, Assistant Director of Utilities Operations, will lead walking tours of the plant. The group will return together to San Jacinto Hall after the tour. This hands-on experience allows students and energy professionals to see firsthand how UT’s power plant generates 100% of the campus’ electricity, heating, and cooling.
Note: The power plant tour can accommodate up to 30 people; availability is first come, first served.
1:15 p.m.
The Geothermal Opportunity: From Added Capacity to Energy Abundance
Lucy Darago, Chief Commercial Officer, XGS Energy
Silviu Livescu (Moderator), Co-Founder, CTO, Bedrock Energy
Drew Nelson, VP for Policy, Programs, & Strategy, Project InnerSpace
Hamed Soroush, CEO, TEVERRA
This panel will discuss the fast-evolving adoption of geothermal energy, from policy and disruptive products such as Project InnerSpace’s GeoMap to R&D (Teverra) and commercialization (XGS Energy). A diverse community of startups, funders, non-profits, oil and gas companies, conventional geothermal companies, and policymakers are working together to prove geothermal is the commercial solution for energy abundance.
2:00 p.m. | Between Two Cacti
With Carolyn Comer
Carolyn Comer, President, Shell Energy North America
Brian Korgel, Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
Now in its third season, Between Two Cacti is a conversation series hosted by Brian Korgel, Director of the Energy Institute. Today, Korgel will be joined by Carolyn Comer, President of Shell Energy North America.
2:30 p.m.
Accelerating Energy Storage Innovation with AI & Advanced Materials Research
Alexander Girau (Moderator), CEO, Co-Founder, Group1; Energy Transition Fellow, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
Yakov Kutsovky, Chief Scientific Officer, Cofounder, Group1
Young-Hye Na, Manager, Principal Research Scientist, IBM Research
Donald J. Siegel, Professor, Department Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
The energy transition is driving a disruptive shift, heavily dependent on critical minerals and advanced materials across energy systems. As lithium-ion battery (LiB) technologies mature, innovation in alternative chemistries is essential to meet diverse application needs and to advance cost, performance, and sustainability. AI and material informatics offer immense potential to accelerate materials discovery and scale-up for battery and electrochemical systems, yet these technologies are still emerging in terms of research maturity and impact. This panel will examine the current landscape and best practices in integrating material informatics platforms, high-throughput experimentation, advanced machine learning (ML), and large language models (LLMs) that leverage experimental and simulation data. Real-world case studies will highlight how AI and material informatics are applied to expedite material development for energy applications. Attendees will gain insights from academia, industry, and policy, exploring how data-driven approaches and predictive models are addressing challenges and driving innovations essential to the energy transition
3:15 p.m.
Networking Break
3:30 p.m. | Between Two Cacti
With Audrey Robat
Audrey Robat, Finance VP & Chief Financial Officer, ENGIE North America
Brian Korgel, Director, Energy Institute, The University
4:00 p.m.
Procuring 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy
Hosted by AIEN
Sergio Castellanos (Moderator), Assistant Professor, Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
Ryan Eslicker, Director, EDF
Chris Matos, Energy Market Development Strategic Negotiator, Google
Hugo Mena, Chief Growth Officer, Electric Power Engineers
Margarita Patria, Principal, Charles River Associates
Companies are looking to procure 24/7 carbon-free energy to decarbonize their operations. However, to date, structuring deals to procure 24/7 carbon-free electricity has proven logistically challenging and, in some cases, extremely expensive. Join experts to explore how companies are approaching the decarbonization of the electricity they’re consuming and what breakthroughs might be needed to enable this decarbonization.
4:45 p.m.
Commercializing Industrial Decarbonization Solutions
Hosted by AIEN
Michael Baldea (Moderator), Professor, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering; Core Faculty Member, Oden Institute for Computational Engineering & Sciences (ECES), The University of Texas at Austin; CTO EPIXC
Amy Hebert, CEO, Arcadia eFuels
Steve Scott, Managing Consultant, Green Star BCS
Kelsie Van Hoose, Director of Carbon Capture and Hydrogen Business Development, New Energy Ventures, Williams
The challenge of decarbonizing heavy industry has forced the development of creative solutions, but many of these solutions are struggling to take hold in the market. In this panel, experts will discuss solutions for sectors that cannot be easily electrified. What solutions are available to companies looking to decarbonize operations, and how are these solutions manifesting within the market? What are the most salient challenges in the sector?
5:30–7:30 p.m.
Evening Reception & Student Club Mashup
The Student Club Mashup brings together UT’s student organizations in energy, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
Student Club Mashup
This evening’s networking reception includes the Student Club Mashup. Hosted by the Energy Institute Student Energy Engagement Council (SEEC), the Mashup brings together UT’s student organizations in energy, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
American Conservation Coalition
American Nuclear Society
Campus Environmental Center
Energy Resources Group
KBH Student Energy Advisory Council
Longhorn Energy Club
Student Energy Engagement Council
Switch Energy Club
Texas Energy Capital
UTexas Energy
Light bites and curated refreshments provided.
Thursday, April 3
San Jacinto Hall, The University of Texas at Austin, 309 E 21st St, Austin, TX 78705. View location and parking details here.
7:45 a.m. | Registration & Breakfast
Case Challenge Unveiling
Join us for light refreshments and cheer on the teams participating in today’s Interdisciplinary Energy Case Competition, co-hosted by the Office of Career & Life Design and the Green Workforce Collaborative.
The competition invites UT Austin graduate students from all disciplines to collaborate, innovate, and develop real-world solutions to pressing energy challenges. Participating students will gather at breakfast this morning for the unveiling of their case challenge before convening with their teams for a day of problem-solving.
Application deadline is March 24, 11:59 p.m. Click the link above to apply.
8:15 a.m.
Welcoming Remarks
Jack Balagia, Executive Director, KBH Energy Center, The University of Texas at Austin
8:30 a.m.
Driving Economic Development & Opportunity Through the Energy Transition
Kathleen Baireuther, Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, CERT Systems
Sophia Cunningham, Vice President, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI)
Steven Pedigo (Moderator), Assistant Dean, LBJ School of Public Affairs; Director, LBJ Urban Lab
Jon Roberts, Managing Partner, TIP Strategies
The energy transition is reshaping industries and regional economies, creating transformative opportunities for economic development. This panel discussion explores the roles played by regional economic development organizations (EDOs) and the private sector, which are at the forefront of this shift, leveraging emerging technologies, fostering public-private partnerships, and implementing innovative policies to drive growth and resilience. They are also deploying strategies to create new career pathways in clean energy, attract investment into emerging energy ecosystems, and align economic goals with global sustainability trends—all while prioritizing more equitable development.
9:15 a.m.
The Role of Produced Water in Energy Expansion
Paul Barbour, Business Development Professional, Devon Energy
Rajendra Ghimire (Moderator), Director of Business Development, Badwater Alchemy
Mike Hightower, Director and Research Professor, New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium
John Schmitz, Chairman, CEO, Select Water Solutions
Shane Walker, Professor, Department of Civil, Environmental, & Construction Engineering, Director of the Water and the Environment Research (WATER) Center, Director of the Texas Produced Water Consortium, Texas Tech University
This panel explores the critical topic of produced water, a byproduct of oil and gas extraction. Experts will discuss its significance, the growing urgency to repurpose this byproduct, and the potential market opportunities it presents. The conversation will address key challenges, including regulatory barriers, and highlight innovative research and policy directions shaping the future of this resource. Join us for a dynamic discussion on the transition of produced water from environmental challenge to valuable commodity.
10:00 a.m.
Networking Break
10:15 a.m. | Between Two Cacti
With Marilu Hastings
Marilu Hastings, Executive Vice President, Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation; Chair, Energy Institute Advisory Board
Brian Korgel, Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
Now in its third season, Between Two Cacti is a conversation series hosted by Brian Korgel, Director of the Energy Institute. Today, Korgel will be joined by Marilu Hastings, Executive Vice President of the Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation.
10:45 a.m.
The Power of Intelligence: The Role of AI in Shaping the Future of Energy
Kenath Carver, Director, Compliance Assessments, Texas Reliability Entity
Kjetil “KJ”, Haugen, Founder, CEO, and CTO, Haugen Labs
Betsy Soehren Jones (Moderator), Managing Director, Energy and Utilities, West Monroe
Dan Stanzione, Executive Director, Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC), The University of Texas at Austin
The energy sector is critical to keeping the lights on, the gas flowing, and the economy prospering. Given the sector’s critical role in society, the need to operate quicker, better, faster, and cheaper is omnipresent. Discover how industry trailblazers are deploying AI technologies to meet this imperative—revolutionizing their operations, enhancing decision-making, and driving sustainable growth. This discussion will cover the journey from securing leadership buy-in to overcoming implementation challenges, managing risks, and optimizing data for AI solutions. Gain insights into the strategic and operational shifts required to harness the power of AI and learn from real-world experiences.
11:15 a.m. | Midday Break
Networking Lunch + Energy & Environment Mentorship Luncheon
Enjoy lunch and network with fellow attendees. Students may register separately for the mentorship luncheon.
Energy & Environment Mentorship Luncheon
Students will dine with a small group of peers and a mentor of their choice who is a professional in fields related to energy and the environment.
Mentors Include:
Waeh Abdallah, SNE Technology Advisor, SLB
Ana Baskharone, Director, Energy Efficiency, CenterPoint Energy
Sophia Cunningham, Vice President, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI)
Aaron Fitzgerald, CEO & Founder
Carol Hanko, President, SunPR
Marilu Hastings, Cynthia & George Mitchell Foundation
Ryan Kudva, Unconventional Technology Integrator, ExxonMobil
Doug Lewin, Associate Professor, Environmental & Energy Policy, The University of Texas at Austin; Founder, Stoic Energy LLC
Tom Myers, Energy Program Manager, Texas Military Department
Mary C. Palmer Director, Energy Equity & Inclusion, Smart Electric Power Alliance
Brandon Seale, Former President, West Texas Gas Utility
Andy Uhler, National & International Radio Correspondent, Energy Institute Journalism Fellow, The University of Texas at Austin
Zoe Weinstein, Orsted
Patricia Zavala, Executive Director, Texas Energy & Climate Caucus, PowerHouse Texas
Free to attend, signup below for your table but please make sure to also register for Energy Week to receive your name badge.
1:00 p.m.
Discussion on Lithium
Nora Ankrum (Moderator), Strategic Communications Manager, Good Energy Collective
Marc Cutler, President, Geolith
Teague Egan, Founder & CEO, EnergyX
Rémi Loiseau, Lithium Area Manager, ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions
1:45 p.m.
The Challenges & Opportunities of Nuclear Energy
Sunil Felix, Nuclear Counsellor, French Atomic Commission – US Embassy
Derek Haas (Moderator), Associate Professor, Nuclear & Radiation Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
Jordan Robison, VP of Engineering and Program Management, Natura Resources
New nuclear must overcome the same hurdles all new energy technologies face: overcoming high initial costs. This panel will discuss how the industry can overcome first-of-a-kind deployment, supply chain, workforce development, regulatory, and financing challenges.
2:30 p.m.
Networking Break
2:45 p.m.
The Only Constant is Change: Students’ Perspectives on Energy’s Future
Andy Uhler, Energy Institute Fellow; National & International Public Radio Correspondent
Shashwati da Cunha, PhD Candidate, Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin; President, Longhorn Energy Club
Pranav J Thacker, PhD Candidate, Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
In his podcast, Phases and Stages: The Texas Energy Story, host Andy Uhler visits a different Texas location each month to explore the changing energy landscape across the state. Today, he’ll share the stage with two PhD students who work at the cutting edge of energy research and learn about what they’re working on, why they’re doing it and what they hope to accomplish. And they’ll have a chance to ask Andy about what he’s been learning on his journey across the state in his quest to tell the energy stories of the people of Texas.
3:15 p.m.
Powering Precedents: A 20-Year Retrospective on Landmark Developments in Energy Law
Becky Diffen, Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
Austin T. Lee, Partner, Bracewell LLP
Cynthia Martinez, SVP, General Counsel, energyRe
Brandon Seale (Moderator), Former President, West Texas Gas Utility
Chad M. Smith, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Over the past two decades, the energy sector has been shaped by transformative legal decisions and practices that have redefined how industries, governments, and communities address energy production, distribution, and consumption. In honor of Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, & Energy Law’s 20th anniversary, this panel of TJOGEL founders and leading alumni delves into the most significant trends, developments, and case law that have defined energy over the last twenty years, analyzing their far-reaching impacts on the industry and its stakeholders. The panel will also explore how these legal developments and technological innovations have affected investment strategies, operational practices, and the broader energy transition. Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the jurisprudence that underpins today’s energy landscape and insight into emerging trends and challenges that could define the next era of energy law.
Presented by TJOGEL and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center.
4:15 p.m.
Power & Influence: The Current Geopolitics of Energy & Security
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, Former U.S. Senator; Former U.S. Ambassador to NATO; Founding Member, KBH Energy Center
George Seay, Founder and Chairman, Annandale Capital
Wil VanLoh, Founder and CEO, Quantum Capital Group
Paul Edgar (Moderator), Associate Director, Clements Center for National Security, The University of Texas at Austin
Energy is at the heart of global geopolitics, shaping national security priorities, international alliances, and economic power. This panel will examine the complex intersection of energy, geopolitics, and security, exploring how energy production, distribution, and dependence influence both domestic stability and international relations. Experts will discuss the strategic implications of energy policies, emerging global trends, and the role of energy in shaping conflicts, diplomacy, and national resilience. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on how energy continues to drive geopolitical decisions and impact the global security landscape.
Presented by the Clements Center for National Security and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Energy Center.
5:00-7:00 p.m. | Evening Reception
With Interdisciplinary Energy Case Competition Awards
5:00-7:00pm: Networking, light bites, and a curated selection of beverages. Tonight’s reception includes the award ceremony for the Interdisciplinary Energy Case Competition.
Friday, April 4
San Jacinto Hall, The University of Texas at Austin, 309 E 21st St, Austin, TX 78705. View location and parking details here.
KBH Student Energy Summit
Energy Everywhere: Building Infrastructure to Power Progress
A dynamic half-day of speakers and panels to tackle the challenges of building the energy infrastructure our world needs—from pipelines and solar farms to power plants and data centers.
9:00am-1:00pm: Experts will share insights and real-world examples to help you understand how energy projects create jobs, support clean energy goals, and make a positive impact on local communities—knowledge that you can use to shape the future of energy. Discover how we can work together to create a future where energy infrastructure supports growth, innovation, and sustainability. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry professionals and learn how you can be part of the solution to power progress for all!
8:00 a.m.
Registration and Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
Welcome and Introductions
Sam Warfield, Managing Director, Head of Infrastructure, Pennybacker Capital
9:10 a.m.
Keynote: Building and Growing a Business in a Changing Energy Landscape
Harrison Bolling, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, LandBridge
Thomas Galluccio (Moderator), MBA Candidate
This keynote will be led by LandBridge EVP and General Counsel, Harrison Bolling, as he discusses his journey supporting a company at the forefront of infrastructure investment. Mr. Bolling will share his career journey, discussing key lessons from LandBridge, the process of taking a company public, and navigating the energy and infrastructure sectors. He’ll also offer career insights, industry outlooks, and advice for students looking to stand out to employers.
10:00 a.m.
Power in the Permian
Dave Ferdman, Managing Director and President, Primary Digital Infrastructure
Peggy Heeg, Vice Chair, ERCOT Board of Directors
Graham Radler, CEO, Baseline Energy Services
Jere Thompson, EVP and CFO, Diamondback Energy
Lucy Caudill (Moderator), Finance Student
William “Mac” McKenzie (Moderator), Advertising Student
The Permian Basin is poised to solidify its role as the largest gas-producing region in the United States, driving national energy security and economic growth. However, this rapid expansion presents unique challenges and opportunities in meeting the region’s growing power needs, modernizing the electric grid, and supporting the development of critical infrastructure like data centers. This panel will explore the intersection of energy production and consumption in the Permian, focusing on how reliable power infrastructure is essential to sustain its evolution as an energy hub.
11:00 a.m.
Networking Lunch
11:45 a.m.
US Needs Big Infrastructure – Gulf Coast LNG as a Case Study
Christian Hammerbeck, Managing Director of Project Finance, Mizuho Americas
Ryan Schleicher, VP of Origination, Cheniere Energy
Scott Simmons, CFO and SVP, WhiteWater Midstream
Sam Warfield, Managing Director, Head of Infrastructure, Pennybacker Capital
Carlos Wheelock, Head of LNG Americas, Vitol
Rob Kasten (Moderator), Master of Engineering Student
Katie Strickland (Moderator), Chemical Engineering Student
The United States faces an urgent need for large-scale infrastructure to support its energy ambitions, economic growth, and global leadership. Nowhere is this more evident than along the Gulf Coast, where liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects provide a compelling case study for the challenges and opportunities of building transformative energy infrastructure. This session will highlight the Gulf Coast LNG success story as a model for how the U.S. can build the robust infrastructure necessary to secure its energy future while fostering innovation, economic growth, and environmental responsibility.
12:45 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Thank you to our sponsors!
Event Sponsorship
- Allows us to keep events free for all.
- Increases your brand recognition with a world-class energy community.
- Advances energy education and literacy.
