University of Houston: Energy Symposium to Examine Path to Carbon Neutrality in Texas
The University of Houston Division of Energy and Innovation and Center for Carbon Management in Energy (CCME) are hosting a day-long symposium, titled “Netzero Texas by 2050” on Thursday, Dec. 1, to discuss pathways and solutions to help Texas become carbon neutral by 2050.
The symposium is a culmination of a multidisciplinary research initiative that aims to ensure affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all; preserve and improve the quality of life for Texans as demographics rapidly change; and maintain and strengthen the state’s global leadership in the energy industry.
The event brings together an array of UH experts and industry partners to discuss key drivers, challenges and opportunities in five focus areas:
Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS)
Electric grid
Transportation
Financial incentives
Workforce development
The panelists will also discuss plausible pathways and analyses of proposed solutions for carbon neutrality in Texas. Participants will gain an understanding of the associated carbon, socioeconomic, environmental and equity impacts in the five areas. Lunch will be provided and there will be an opportunity to network with panelists and fellow attendees during a cocktail hour following the symposium.
WHAT: Netzero Texas by 2050 Symposium
WHO: The University of Houston Division of Energy and Innovation and Center for Carbon Management in Energy
WHERE: Houston Room, Student Center South at the University of Houston, 4455 University Dr., Houston, TX 77204 (Click here for map)
WHEN: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1
To learn more about the event and to register, click here. Admission is free.
CCUS Panelists:
Charles McConnell, executive director of CCME and former assistant secretary of energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Jane Stricker, executive director of Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI) and senior vice president of energy transition with the Greater Houston Partnership
Dianne Ralston, chief legal officer, SLB
Carlos Uroza, research scientist associate at Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas
Christine Ehlig-Economides, Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Chair of UH Department of Petroleum Engineering (Moderator)
Electric Grid Panelists:
Connor Thompson, research scholar with the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources (EENR) Center with the UH Law Center
Mary Anne Brelinsky, president of EDF Energy North America
Gina Warren, A.L. O’Quinn Chair in Environmental Studies, and co-director of UH Law Center’s EENR Center (Moderator)
Financial Incentives Panelists:
Greg Bean, executive director of UH’s Gutierrez Energy Management Institute
Norm Johnson, professor of business analytics and chair of the Decision and Information Sciences Department at C. T. Bauer College of Business (Moderator)
Transportation Panelists:
Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president of energy and innovation at UH
Aparajita Datta, research scholar, UH Division of Energy and Innovation
Margaret Kidd, program director and instructional associate professor, Supply Chain and Logistics Technology, University of Houston
Trae Camble, director of environmental affairs with Port Houston
Funda Sahin, associate professor of supply chain management at UH (Moderator)
Workforce Development Panelists:
Suryanarayanan “Radha” Radhakrishnan, managing director of Consortium for Energy Corporate Social Responsibility (CECSR) and Professor of Practice in decision and information sciences
Gail Buttorff, instructional assistant professor at the Hobby School of Public Affairs and director of the Survey Research Institute (Moderator)
Peter Beard, senior vice president, regional workforce development, Greater Houston Partnership