Name: Powering the Energy Future
Start: 1756384200
End: 1756414800
Location: James A. Baker III Hall

The future of energy faces yet another round of uncertainty and change, with the electricity sector at the forefront. Engaging with industry energy stakeholders and conducting foundational research on the evolving landscape are critical to understanding what comes next.

On Aug. 28, the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute and the Energy Institute at the Price School of Business at the University of Oklahoma hosted “Powering the Energy Future.” The conference explored the rise of AI and its specific applications for the energy sector, its implications for demand growth and grid reliability, and the potential of various forms of generation to meet projected loads.

The event featured posters of graduate student research, where students engaged with participants on the practical application of their research. It was free and open to the public.

Follow @CES_Baker_Inst on X to join the conversation online with #BakerEnergy.

Registration

Registration has closed.

Baker Institute events are powered by the generous contributions of our supporters. Learn how you can make a donation or become a member of the Baker Roundtable.

Agenda

7:30 am	Breakfast
8:30 am	Welcome and Opening Remarks Mike Stice, Ed.D. Professor, University of Oklahoma Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D. James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics; Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute for Public Policy
8:45 am	Fireside Chat — Recent Energy Market Developments Moderated by: Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D., James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics; Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute for Public Policy Jai Singh Partner & Head of Americas Advisory, Rystad Energy
9:45 am	Break
10:00 am	Panel I — AI and Machine Learning for Energy Applications Moderated by: Mike Stice, Ed.D., Professor, University of Oklahoma Matt Williamson Chief Executive Officer, Clevyr, Inc. Pragati Mathur Chief Digital & Information Office, ConocoPhillips Sridhar Sudarsan CEO, CometaTek AI Advisory
11:00 am	Panel II — Data Center Development and the Future of Power Demand Moderated by: Dipankar Ghosh, Ph.D., David Ross Boyd Professor, ConocoPhillips Chair in Energy Accounting, Price School of Business, University of Oklahoma Carson Kearl Lead Analyst, AI Infrastructure and Co-located Generation Strategies, Enverus Marc Spieler Senior Managing Director, Global Energy Industry, NVIDIA Saurabh Chaugule, Ph.D. Senior Manager Strategic Business Development, Energy & Utilities, AWS
12:00 pm	Lunch
1:00 pm	Conversation — The Future of Nuclear Power Moderated by: Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D., James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics; Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute for Public Policy Jimmy Glotfelty Former Commissioner, PUC TX Sarfraz Taj Director, M&A Corporate Development & Strategic Projects, Constellation Energy
2:00 pm	Coffee Break
2:15 pm	Fireside Chat — The Future of Geothermal Moderated by: John Antonio, Ph.D., Dean and Lester A. Day Family Chair, Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, University of Oklahoma Tim Latimer Chief Executive Officer, Fervo Energy
2:45 pm	Session — Electric Reliability: It’s Not Just About Capacity Moderated by: Kenneth B. Medlock III, Ph.D., James A. Baker, III, and Susan G. Baker Fellow in Energy and Resource Economics; Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute for Public Policy Julie A. Cohn, Ph.D. Nonresident Scholar, Baker Institute; Research Historian, Center for Public History, University of Houston Peter Hartley, Ph.D. CES Lead for Electricity and Rice Faculty Scholar, Baker Institute for Public Policy; George A. Peterkin Professor, Department of Economics, Rice University Jason Ryan Executive Vice President, Regulatory Services and Government Affairs, CenterPoint Energy
3:45 pm	Conference Close, Reception, and Poster Sessions