Events
Upcoming Events
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More events will be announced soon!
Past Events
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Technology and Market-Design Challenges to Decarbonize Electricity Systems - A talk by Professor Ramteen Sioshansi
November 21, 2024 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Location: Gunness Student Center, Marcus Hall
The electricity industry, policymakers, and regulators are grappling with decarbonizing electricity systems. Decarbonization will yield significant changes in how electricity systems are planned and operated and will require policy and market-design reforms. This talk will survey these changes as well as the major challenge of achieving the final 10%-20% of decarbonization (relative to a business-as-usual benchmark). Ramteen Sioshansi is a Professor of Engineering and Public Policy and a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is the Director of the Carnegie Mellon Electricity Industry Center and a Faculty Affiliate with the Carnegie Mellon Scott Institute for Energy Innovation.
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ETI SPARC team formation workshop. Over $800k in grant funding is available!
November 15, 2024 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Location: Gordon Hall, room 302
Registration is now open for the ETI SPARC workshop! The event is open to all UMass faculty or librarians interested in applying for a SPARC grant related to the energy transition or energy justice (broadly defined). RSVP by Thursday November 7th. Your RSVP (required) will help us organize the workshop and maximize the value of your time there. We are asking for the topics that interest you, your key methodologies, and for a very brief project description if you have an idea.
Why attend? This workshop will connect you with other researchers to form a competitive SPARC team and develop proposal ideas. Whether you are interested in a $10k conceptualization grant or a $75k center-level proposal, this workshop will help get you there.
If you are attending the SPARC workshop, please complete this brief form that describes your project.
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Building a Just Energy Transition in New England - Workshop
September 27 - 28, 2024
The Irving Institute at Dartmouth College
Join a diverse community of academics, local experts, and community organizations to discuss and strategize pathways to a just energy transition in New England. Topics include decarbonization, reducing energy burdens, household electrification, community solar, and more. Panels include IRA funding success, energy navigator programs, community partnerships, and university-community collaborations. Limited financial assistance is available (apply here).
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South African Energy: A System in Crisis and Challenges to a Just Energy Transition
September 25, 2024 | 2:45 - 4:00 pm
Location: ISB 145
A just energy transition in South Africa faces a complex landscape, particularly in light of the ongoing electricity crisis. Some aspects are specific to South Africa: post-apartheid inequality and conflict and significant resource wealth. Ranking 15th among nations in terms of total carbon emissions, South Africa remains highly fossil dependent with an important coal-mining sector, 70% of electrical generation from coal, and a distressed electrical system with frequent outages. South Africa faces the challenges of high unemployment, racialized extreme inequality, and capital flight. Join us for an ETI-sponsored roundtable with faculty from around campus as we discuss history; lived experience; legal, technical, and economic challenges; and potential paths forward for energy transition in South Africa. Read more about the event here.
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New England Electricity Restructuring Roundtable
September 20, 2024 | 8:45 am - 1:00 pm
Location: ISB 241H
The Clean Energy Extension and Energy Transition Institute cordially invite you to a watch party and discussion for the upcoming New England Electricity Restructuring Roundtable. Since 1995, the Roundtable has met bi-monthly to discuss current and emerging topics related to the electric power industry throughout the Northeast. On September 20, the roundtable is hosting two panels on Grid Modernization, Distributed Energy Resources, & Affordability. Panelists include a mix of state officials, utility executives, and non-profit organizations.
Join us for this virtual watch party and in person discussion with UMass personnel engaged in this area. Drop in at any time from 8:45 AM - 1:00 PM. Snacks, coffee, and pizza will be provided.
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Dr. Ayse Selin Kocaman Seminar: Optimization-Based Solutions for the Design and Operations of Sustainable Electric Power Systems
March 15, 2024, 11-12:15 pm ET
UMass Isenberg Room N145
Please join ETI for a seminar by Ayse Selin Kocaman, Associate Professor of Industrial Engerineering at Bilkent University.
Abstract excerpt: Rising population growth rates, depleting fuel sources, environmental issues, and economic developments have substantially increased the importance of sustainable energy planning. With the generation and distribution of energy resources becoming more complex, there is an ever-growing need for the applications of mathematical optimization in the energy industry. This seminar will focus on recent research advancements in the development of optimization-based solutions for the design and operations of sustainable electric power systems.
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Panel Discussion: Why We Are Waiting?
November 27, 2023, 11-12:30 pm ET
UMass Campus Center room 168C
Join ETI and four experts to discuss the major roadblocks to implementing green energy technology and the systemic changes that might reduce those roadblocks while supporting equity and environmental protection:
Michael Judge, Massachusetts Undersecretary of Energy
Sarah Adams, State Policy Advisor with ISO NE
Eric Wilkinson, Government Affairs Lead at Ørsted
Kristina Karlsson, Senior Program Manager, Climate and Economic Transformation from the Roosevelt Institute in NYC
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Mary Wambui Speaks with Students and Center for Equitable Demand Response
November 17, 2023
Mary Wambui, Asset Manager in the Planning Office for Urban Affairs at the Archdiocese of Boston, is an expert on housing equity, and through that has done a lot of work on energy efficiency and electricity rate design. She will be talking, among other things, about how she has successfully worked with utilities to get equity-focused regulations implemented.
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Seminar: Are heat pumps cool? Household adoption barriers in energy transitions research
November 16, 2023, 12 pm ET
Gunness Student Center in Marcus Hall, College of Engineering
Please join ETI for a seminar by Narasimha Rao, Associate Professor of Energy in the Yale School of the Environment
Abstract excerpt: The US Government projects that to meet its climate goals heat pumps would comprise up to 60 percent of heating appliance sales by 2030. In this talk, Rao will present some new research on the social and contextual determinants of heating appliance ownership in New York state, and its implications for future heat pump uptake. The talk will raise questions about how prepared we are to credibly bring knowledge from the social sciences on household decisions into energy models and projections.
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The EnergyTech University Prize Info Webinar
October 19, 2023, 4-5 pm ET
Location: Marcus Hall Gunness Student Center, 100 Natural Resources Road
Please join ETI for an info session watch party on the EnergyTech University Prize - sponsored by the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). UMass Amherst students of all levels or faculty interested in participating in a competition to design a business plan for a promising new technology should consider participation. $400,000 in cash prizes ($100,000 in faculty prizes) available! RSVP for Watch Party
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Building Pathways to Invention Joint Event with Lemelson-MIT
October 17, 2023 4-6pm ET
Location: Life Science Laboratories (LSL), S330/S340
Register here for a special event, “Building Pathways to Invention: The power of broadening participation and diversity among student inventors” hosted by the Berthiaume Center for Entrepreneurship at UMass Amherst in collaboration with Lemelson-MIT.
The event will include a preview of the film Pathways to Invention, recent research and a panel discussion with faculty, inventors, and entrepreneurs, including climate scientist/inventor, John Fabel.
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Dr. Diana Hernandez Online Seminar: Energy, Equity, Housing and Health
October 12, 2023, 12 pm ET
Energy, Equity, Housing and Health: Connecting Dots for Change
Please join ETI and ELEVATE for a seminar presented by Dr. Diana Hernandez, Associate Professor of Sociomedical Sciences at Columbia University. Professor Hernandez teaches graduate level courses on qualitative research methods, design and analysis; public health leadership; and energy justice. She is a Mayoral Appointee to NYC's Environmental Justice Advisory Board. Her first book about energy insecurity in the US is due to be published in 2024.
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The Energy Transition Symposium
MAY 15TH, 2023, 10:30-4pm
Location: Student Union Ballroom
A showcase for energy transition research and campus climate action at UMass Amherst. Open to all fundamental and applied areas of energy research and climate action including work in STEM, social sciences, humanities, business, and interdisciplinary studies.
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Faculty Networking Event
April 19th, 2023 9-1pm
Environmental Justice and Social Equity Meets Energy Research
Do you work in Environmental Justice? Do you work at the nexus of Social Equity? Do you work in Energy Research? Do you like a free lunch? Then join us for this networking event!
Location: IALS Conference Room
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Powerlands Extravaganza
December 1st, 2022 5pm EST
Join us in celebrating Native American heritage month by viewing the film Powerlands this November. Attend the extravaganza to experience a discussion with the film's director, Q&A with UMass Amherst Deans and Faculty, followed by a dinner featuring Native American cuisine, and a big screen viewing of the film.
Location: Carney Family Auditorium, Furcolo Hall - UMass Amherst College of Education
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Climate Change Solutions: Finding Common Ground When Experts and Models Disagree
November 9th, 2022 4pm EST
Distinguished Faculty member and Director of the Energy Transition Institute, Erin Baker, will be giving a lecture on the highly complex climate problem and why uncertainty is impeding the world’s ability to respond.
Location: Great Hall, Old Chapel UMass Amherst
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The Business of the Energy Transition
November 9th, 2022 6pm EST
Panelists will discuss what innovations are needed to spur the transition, and how education should evolve to support the energy transition. Hear from the previous Executive Director of ETI, Anna Goldstein, now with Prime Coalition, Laura Drauker of CERES, Michael Fogwill of Waters Corporation, and Tricia Canavan, of Tech Foundry.
Location: UMass Amherst (room TBD)
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2022 Research Experience for Undergraduates Poster Session
July 29, 2022 9:30am - 10:30am ET
Our summer undergraduate researchers who attended the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) summer program will present posters detailing the incredible projects they have been working on this summer.
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Energy Transition Symposium
May 3, 2022, 10:30am-4:30pm ET
A showcase for energy transition research and campus climate action at UMass Amherst. Open to all fundamental and applied areas of energy research and climate action including work in STEM, social sciences, humanities, business, and interdisciplinary studies.
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Seminar with John Wamburu
April 21, 2022, 4:00pm ET
Wind Energy Fellows and the ELEVATE Program are hosting John Wamburu, ELEVATE Fellow and PhD Candidate in Computer and Information Sciences at UMass Amherst. The talk is entitled, “Equitable Decarbonization in the Smart Grid.”
Location: Zoom
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Seminar with Fikile Brushett
March 10, 2022, 11:30am ET
Fikile Brushett, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, will speak at a seminar hosted jointly by the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Details TBD.
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Ecological Knowledge and Sustainable Practices in Afro-Puerto Rico
March 3, 2022, 5:00pm ET
The Commonwealth Honors College and Phi Kappa Phi will host cultural anthropologist and decolonial scholar Hilda Lloréns for their annual Daffodil Lecture.
Location: Campus Center Auditorium
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Seminar with Greg Nemet
March 3, 2022, 4:00pm ET
Wind Energy Fellows and the ELEVATE Program are hosting Greg Nemet, Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in the La Follette School of Public Affairs. The talk is entitled, “Dynamic Industrial Policy for Climate Change.”
Location: Zoom
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ETI Official Launch Event
Feb. 28, 2022
Join us for a celebration of the establishment of the Energy Transition Institute.
4-5pm ET: Zoom webinar
4-6pm ET: Live watch party and reception for the campus community in the Old Chapel
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Seminar with Erin Mayfield
Dec. 2, 2021, 4:00pm ET
Wind Energy Fellows program to host Erin Mayfield, Assistant Professor at Dartmouth College, for a talk titled, “Designing net-zero emissions energy systems to address environmental and societal objectives.”
Location: Zoom
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World Café Networking Event
Nov. 9, 2021, 1:30pm ET
ETI is hosting a dialogue for UMass Amherst researchers to meet, learn about each other’s work, and generate creative ideas for new research directions.
Location: Campus Center
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Seminar with Ekundayo Shittu
Oct. 1, 2021, 12-1pm ET
Distinguished Scientist and Engineer Seminar Series to host Ekundayo Shittu, Professor of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering at GWU, and UMass alum.
Location: Bernie Dallas Room, Goodell Hall
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UMass Energy Forum
May 4, 2021, 5:30pm ET
For students, faculty, and staff across the UMass Amherst campus to present their work on clean energy, climate, and decarbonization.