Carnegie Mellon University
March 07, 2016

CMU Hosts Inaugural Energy Week, March 14-18

Themes are Research, Policy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Workforce and Education

By Leigh Kish / 412-268-2902 / lkish@andrew.cmu.edu

Researchers, energy industry and business leaders, policymakers, students and the general public will gather March 14–18 at Carnegie Mellon University's Cohon University Center for its inaugural Energy Week, hosted by CMU’s Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. Each day has a theme: Research, Policy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Workforce and Education, and Field Trips.

Energy Week

Participants can hear from top CMU researchers on the latest news and research, and also participate in discussions on critical topics, such as from what energy sources should Southwestern Pennsylvania get its electricity now and in the future? In addition, there will be roundtables on small- and medium-business energy entrepreneurship and innovation, industry energy efficiency, CMU education and research, and the region’s energy workforce.

Keynote speakers include the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy; the director of the National Energy Technology Laboratory; the premier of South Australia; Pittsburgh’s mayor; leadership from Barefoot College, which works with women in disadvantaged communities in India and Africa to build and maintain solar collectors; a top energy storage expert from the Electric Power Research Institute; and Congressman Tim Murphy.

Monday, March 14: Research Day

The work of CMU researchers and students will be featured in short “Andy” talks on topics such as “Renewables: Are They the Answer?” and “Remaking Cities,” and three-minute student thesis presentations and poster sessions.

Featured event: Remarks by Grace Bochenek, director, National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), 1:30 – 2 p.m., McConomy Auditorium.

Tuesday, March 15: Policy Day

International, national, state and local energy polices will be discussed and reflected on by industry, foundation and non-governmental leaders. A deliberative democracy event will allow participants to provide their perspectives on the question, “What should be Pennsylvania's electricity mix now and in the future?”

Featured events: Talk by the Honorable Jay Weatherill, premier of South Australia, 9:15 – 9:45 a.m., McConomy Auditorium; Remarks by William Peduto, mayor, City of Pittsburgh, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Rangos Ballroom.

Wednesday, March 16: Innovation Day

Innovation Day highlights breakthroughs in energy science and technology happening regionally, and a roundtable discussion on energy innovation and entrepreneurship. In the afternoon, participants may visit CMU’s energy research labs and centers, and the Allegheny Region CleanTech University Prize Collegiate Competition. During this competition, sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office, student teams from universities in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia will compete for a $50,000 prize.

Featured event: Keynote by Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, deputy secretary, U.S. Department of Energy, 12 - 1 p.m.; the Cleantech competition final rounds are 3:30 - 5:45 p.m., Rangos Ballroom.

Thursday, March 17: Education Day

An energy technology expo and an industry energy efficiency roundtable are the highlights of education day. An expert from the Electric Power Research Institute will present on renewable energy storage.

Featured event: Keynote by Bunker Roy, founder and director, Barefoot College, a service learning center in India and Africa, 4:45 - 5:45 p.m., Rangos Ballroom.

Friday, March 18: Field Trip Day

Energy Week participants can attend one of 12 field trips to see shale, solar, wind and geothermal energy production facilities, as well as energy efficiency, energy education, electric and power company operations, and natural gas and electric utility operations.

Featured event: Congressman Tim Murphy will give opening remarks at Tri-State Energy Workforce Roundtable, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., Scott Hall.

Registration is required to attend Energy Week and can be completed online.

Find out more.

See the full schedule

Cost: $200 for an all-event pass; daily passes range from $25 - $50 per day. Students from all institutions may attend for free (lunch not included) but still must register.