{"681217":{"#nid":"681217","#data":{"type":"news","title":"The 2025 Southeastern Energy Conference: A Transformative Experience at Georgia Tech","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe 2025\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energyexpo.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESoutheastern Energy Conference\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u2019s annual student-led energy and sustainability conference, took place from Feb. 28 to March 1, 2025. Organized by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energyclub.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EEnergy Club\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech, the conference welcomed over 100 attendees, including industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and students, fostering dynamic discussions on the future of energy. The theme for this year\u2019s conference, \u003Cstrong\u003E\u0022Going Global: Energy\u2019s Place on the World Stage,\u0022\u003C\/strong\u003E highlighted the international nature of energy challenges and solutions, emphasizing collaboration across borders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe event kicked off with a keynote address from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/john-tien\u0022\u003EHon. John Tien\u003C\/a\u003E, who provided thought-provoking insights into the evolving energy landscape. Following the keynote, the first panel of the day, \u0022The Ukraine Energy War: Lessons in Energy Security,\u0022 featured expert analysis from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/anna-mikulska-410a846\/\u0022\u003EAnna Mikulsa\u003C\/a\u003E of the IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.bakerinstitute.org\/expert\/gabriel-collins\u0022\u003EGabriel Collins\u003C\/a\u003E of Rice University\u2019s Baker Institute. The session was moderated by Georgia Tech student Grant Espy. This was followed by a discussion on the role of nuclear energy globally, where Seth Grae, president and CEO of Lightbridge Corporation, and CJ Fong, vice president of Regulatory Affairs at Blue Energy, shared their perspectives, moderated by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/anna-schafer-051836247\/\u0022\u003EAnna Schafer\u003C\/a\u003E, a student at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThroughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to engage with representatives from 10 local and regional energy companies through the Industry Showcase. Companies such as GE Vernova, Georgia Power, Kimley-Horn, and the Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub were present, providing valuable networking and career development opportunities for students and professionals alike. The day concluded with an engaging panel on \u0022The Potential of Clean Hydrogen,\u0022 featuring insights from industry leaders including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/comas-haynes\u0022\u003EComas Haynes\u003C\/a\u003E of Georgia Tech\u0027s Strategic Energy Institute, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/hayley-rhodes-ryan\/\u0022\u003EHayley Ryan\u003C\/a\u003E of ExxonMobil, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/storageterminalsmag.com\/luis-alcoser-leads-chevrons-future-energy-fund-with-passion-and-innovation\/\u0022\u003ELuis Alcoser\u003C\/a\u003E of Chevron Technology Ventures, and Scott McWhorter of the Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance, moderated by Eli Acree, a student at Georgia Tech.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe second day of the conference opened with a keynote speech from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/leadership\u0022\u003ETim Lieuwen\u003C\/a\u003E, executive vice president for Research at Georgia Tech, who laid out what a carbon-neutral future could truly look like in energy. The \u0022Cybersecurity for Energy Systems\u0022 panel brought together \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/inta.gatech.edu\/people\/person\/seymour-e-goodman\u0022\u003ESeymour E. Goodman\u003C\/a\u003E of Georgia Tech, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/harris.uchicago.edu\/directory\/jacob-braun\u0022\u003EJake Braun\u003C\/a\u003E of the University of Chicago, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/juanvillarreal\/\u0022\u003EJuan Villarreal\u003C\/a\u003E of Villarreal Energy, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.sentineldevices.com\/team\/forrest-shriver\u0022\u003EForrest Shriver\u003C\/a\u003E of Sentinel Devices to discuss the challenges and solutions in securing energy infrastructure. Following that, the \u0022Applications of Solar Microgrids\u0022 panel moderated by John Blankenhorn, a Ph.D. candidate at Georgia Tech, featured expert perspectives from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/engineering.purdue.edu\/ChE\/people\/ptProfile?resource_id=169342\u0022\u003ELetian Dou\u003C\/a\u003E of Purdue University, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.ornl.gov\/staff-profile\/ben-b-ollis?page=11\u0022\u003EBen Ollis\u003C\/a\u003E of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/goizueta.emory.edu\/faculty\/profiles\/raymond-hill\u0022\u003ERaymond Hill\u003C\/a\u003E of Emory University\u2019s Goizueta Business School.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the standout moments of the conference was the Student Symposium, where seven student researchers had the opportunity to present their work, competing for $500 in prize money. Projects explored topics ranging from photocatalysts to heat-driven desalination to thermal batteries for buildings.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe final panel of the event, \u0022Scaled Sustainable Development,\u0022 moderated by Conference Chair Sam Woolsey, a student at Georgia Tech, featured \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.energypolicy.columbia.edu\/jonathan-elkind-0\/\u0022\u003EJonathan Elkind\u003C\/a\u003E of Columbia University\u2019s Center on Global Energy Policy, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/miguel-granier\u0022\u003EMiguel Granier\u003C\/a\u003E of the Cox Cleantech Accelerator, and Hon. \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/hon-jobeth-coleby-davis-090b6b6b\/?originalSubdomain=bs\u0022\u003EJobeth Lillian Coleby-Davis\u003C\/a\u003E, Minister of Energy \u0026amp; Transport for the Government of the Bahamas.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFaculty Advisor \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/dan-molzahn\u0022\u003EDan Molzahn\u003C\/a\u003E also praised the conference, stating, \u0022I\u0027ve been incredibly impressed by the student organizers in pulling together such a remarkable and well-executed\u0026nbsp;event. Given all the change occurring in the world today around energy, the students\u0027 foresight to focus on this topic by bringing in a broad range of experts was a huge benefit to the Georgia Tech community.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReflecting on the success of the event, \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energyclub.gatech.edu\/leadership\/\u0022\u003ESam Woolsey\u003C\/a\u003E shared, \u0022I was honored to serve as Energy Club\u0027s 2025 Conference Chair and to see the conference so positively received. It was a pleasure to see the ways this year\u0027s conference encouraged Georgia Tech engineers to get out of their comfort zone and discuss the policy and international affairs of energy.\u0022\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe 11th annual Southeastern Energy Conference set a high standard for future student-led initiatives in energy and sustainability at Georgia Tech, fostering meaningful discussions and connections that will continue shaping the field.\u0026nbsp;With a diverse lineup of experts, engaging panels, and invaluable networking opportunities, this event demonstrated Georgia Tech\u2019s leadership in fostering innovative discussions on global energy challenges. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energyclub.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EEnergy Club\u003C\/a\u003E extends its heartfelt thanks to all speakers, panelists, industry representatives, and attendees for making this conference a success. Stay tuned for future events and continued conversations on the evolving energy landscape!\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWritten by: \u003C\/em\u003EEnergy Conference Committee Members:\u0026nbsp; Braden Queen, Eli Acree, Sam Woolsey, Anna Schafer, Grant Espy, John Blankenhorn\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EThe 2025\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energyexpo.gatech.edu\u0022\u003ESoutheastern Energy Conference\u003C\/a\u003E, Georgia Tech\u2019s annual student-led energy and sustainability conference, took place from Feb. 28 to March 1, 2025. Organized by the\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energyclub.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EEnergy Club\u003C\/a\u003E at Georgia Tech, the conference welcomed over 100 attendees, including industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and students, fostering dynamic discussions on the future of energy. The theme for this year\u2019s conference, \u003Cstrong\u003E\u0022Going Global: Energy\u2019s Place on the World Stage,\u0022\u003C\/strong\u003E highlighted the international nature of energy challenges and solutions, emphasizing collaboration across borders.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Organized by the\u00a0Energy Club at Georgia Tech, the 2025 Southeastern Energy Conference welcomed over 100 attendees, including industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and students, fostering dynamic discussions on the future of energy. "}],"uid":"36413","created_gmt":"2025-03-19 03:35:28","changed_gmt":"2025-03-19 12:44:57","author":"pdevarajan3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2025-03-18T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"676585":{"id":"676585","type":"image","title":"Energy Club Conference Panel","body":"\u003Cp\u003EEnergy Club\u0027s 11th Southeastern Energy Conference Panel on \u003Cem\u003EThe Potential of Renewable Hydrogen\u003C\/em\u003E featured \u003Cstrong\u003EEli Acree, \u003C\/strong\u003EChemical \u0026amp; Biomolecular Engineering Undergraduate, Georgia Tech (Moderator), Panelists \u003Cstrong\u003EScott McWhorter, \u003C\/strong\u003EFederal Opportunities and Strategy, Georgia Tech Strategic Energy Institute, and Board Chairman, Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance, \u003Cstrong\u003EComas Haynes, \u003C\/strong\u003EHydrogen Initiative Lead, Georgia Tech Strategic Energy Institute, \u003Cstrong\u003EHayley Ryan, \u003C\/strong\u003EField Engineering Manager, ExxonMobil, \u003Cstrong\u003ELuis Alcoser, \u003C\/strong\u003EGM Future Energy, Chevron Technology Ventures\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1742353114","gmt_created":"2025-03-19 02:58:34","changed":"1742354216","gmt_changed":"2025-03-19 03:16:56","alt":"Energy Club\u0027s 11th Southeastern Energy Conference Panel on The Potential of Renewable Hydrogen featured Eli Acree, Chemical \u0026 Biomolecular Engineering Undergraduate, Georgia Tech (Moderator), Panelists Scott McWhorter, Federal Opportunities and Strategy, Georgia Tech Strategic Energy Institute, and Board Chairman, Southeast Hydrogen Energy Alliance, Comas Haynes, Hydrogen Initiative Lead, Georgia Tech Strategic Energy Institute, Hayley Ryan, Field Engineering Manager, ExxonMobil, Luis Alcoser, GM Future Ene","file":{"fid":"260389","name":"IMG_0284---LR.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/18\/IMG_0284---LR.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/18\/IMG_0284---LR.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":292763,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/18\/IMG_0284---LR.jpg?itok=T9zqCHWz"}},"676586":{"id":"676586","type":"image","title":"IMG_0271.jpeg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EIndustry Showcase at the 2025 Southeastern Energy Conference, organized by the student-led Energy Club at Georgia Tech\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1742354238","gmt_created":"2025-03-19 03:17:18","changed":"1742354583","gmt_changed":"2025-03-19 03:23:03","alt":"Industry Showcase at the 2025 Southeastern Energy Conference, organized by the student-led Energy Club at Georgia Tech","file":{"fid":"260392","name":"IMG_0271.jpeg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/18\/IMG_0271.jpeg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/18\/IMG_0271.jpeg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1794425,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/18\/IMG_0271.jpeg?itok=gqfBF9E-"}},"676589":{"id":"676589","type":"image","title":"Energy Club SEEC Conference 2025 - Minister Poster Session","body":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EGeorgia Tech Student with Hon. Jobeth\u0026nbsp;Lillian Coleby-Davis, Minister of Energy and Transport, Government of The Bahamas during the Student Poster Competition at the 2025 Southeastern Energy Conference.\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1742388097","gmt_created":"2025-03-19 12:41:37","changed":"1742388261","gmt_changed":"2025-03-19 12:44:21","alt":"Hon. Jobeth Lillian Coleby-Davis, Minister of Energy and Transport, Government of The Bahamas with Georgia Tech Student","file":{"fid":"260395","name":"minsiter_posterCompetiton--1-.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/minsiter_posterCompetiton--1-.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/03\/19\/minsiter_posterCompetiton--1-.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":230756,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/03\/19\/minsiter_posterCompetiton--1-.jpg?itok=IJNmFF30"}}},"media_ids":["676585","676586","676589"],"groups":[{"id":"367481","name":"SEI Energy"}],"categories":[{"id":"135","name":"Research"},{"id":"193157","name":"Student Honors and Achievements"},{"id":"8862","name":"Student Research"}],"keywords":[{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"39531","name":"Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ENews Contact:\u003C\/em\u003E Priya Devarajan || SEI Communications Program Manager\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWritten by: \u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnergy Conference Committee Members:\u003C\/strong\u003E\u0026nbsp; Braden Queen, Eli Acree, Sam Woolsey, Anna Schafer, Grant Espy, John Blankenhorn\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["priya.devarajan@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}