What: Experts from academia, industry, government and regulatory agencies, and nonprofit organizations will explore next-generation energy trends, new technologies and the latest in energy research during the fourth annual UT Energy Week.
When: Jan. 29 – Feb. 2, 2018
Where: Etter-Harbin Alumni Center, 2110 San Jacinto Blvd., Austin, TX 78712
Who May Attend: Energy Week is free for students and open to the public, but advance registration is required.
Media: Complimentary admission is available for credentialed news media. Use the comp code UTEW-18-press.
Background: UT Energy Week is hosted by the university’s Energy Institute; the KBH Center for Energy, Law & Business; and two student-run organizations — the Longhorn Energy Club and the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law.
On Monday, Jan. 29, officials representing cities, rural electric co-ops and a federal renewable energy lab will discuss the status of several battery storage pilot projects and the prospects for utility-scale storage systems, increased use of renewable energy and enhanced grid reliability.
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, Alison Silverstein, the lead technical author of a recent Department of Energy grid reliability study, will deliver keynote remarks. Later in the day, two panels will examine how ridesharing, self-driving cars and vehicle electrification can be integrated into existing transportation infrastructure. They will also discuss the market variables that could trigger mass adoption of electric vehicles.
On Wednesday, Jan. 31, Thomas Schuessler, president of ExxonMobil’s Upstream Research Company, will provide an outlook for global energy trends. Later Wednesday, expert panelists will examine the future of natural gas as a global commodity, innovation in the oil and gas industry, and evolving energy geopolitics.
UT Energy Week also provides students an opportunity to showcase their energy research, and it features several affiliated events, including two competitions aimed at young energy entrepreneurs hosted by Energy Olympiad.
