Last year, a handful of Tulane University faculty members joined with other academic professionals, industry leaders, legal scholars and more for a one-day symposium about the future of the energy sector in Louisiana and beyond. The gathering drew numerous people from around the state, as well as experts from out of state and many Tulane alumni.
That high level of interest showed university leaders there was a demand for more conversation around the topic. This resulted in the announcement of the upcoming three-day Future of Energy Forum, which will be take place Nov. 13-15 on Tulane’s uptown campus. The event has been scaled up for 2024, with numerous sessions scheduled and approximately 70 speakers from around the world slated to present.
“Energy impacts every dimension of modern life; its future is the future of us all,” Tulane University President Michael A. Fitts said. “Tulane’s Future of Energy Forum will convene leaders from across politics, business, science and society to engage in vital conversations that will shape the energy systems of tomorrow. Together, we will explore solutions to meet the world’s energy demands while driving prosperity and sustainability for future generations.”
The theme of the 2024 Future of Energy Forum is “Can Energy Pragmatism Secure Our Energy Future?” Several sessions will focus on how energy systems of the future, such as offshore wind, carbon-free electricity and liquified natural gas (LNG), can secure the world’s energy future and respond to public demands. Specific topics will include workforce development, sustainability, geopolitical stability, commercialization, public policy, artificial intelligence, oil and gas companies’ adaption to evolving energy demands and more.
“As a major energy hub, Louisiana is the ideal location for such a gathering of leading researchers, policymakers and producers of the energy sources that will power and protect the future,” said Tulane Provost Robin Forman, senior vice president for academic affairs. “We need to bring real-world thinking into how we address the energy challenges ahead, and that’s what this forum is all about.”
Scheduled speakers at the Future of Energy Forum include Aniket Shah, global head of sustainability and transition strategies at Jefferies; Ken Ahmann, chief operating officer of Colusa Indian Energy Corp.; Randall Ebner, retired vice president and general counsel for ExxonMobil Corporation; former Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards; Josh Fleig, chief innovation officer at Louisiana Economic Development; Kimberly Gramm, chief innovation and entrepreneurship officer, Tulane University Innovation Institute; Rob Guthrie, CEO of Bernhard; Jay Hakes, presidential and energy historian and author; Paul Matthews, CEO of the Port of South Louisiana; Michael Mazzola, executive director of Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL); Rebecca Shearman, program director program in the Technology, Innovation and Partnerships Directorate at the U.S. National Science Foundation; Jessie Stolark, executive director, Carbon Capture Coalition; Andrew Quick, chief AI officer at Entergy; as well as numerous Tulane faculty members, noted energy researchers and other energy and policy leaders.
Kerry Stockwell, Tulane’s assistant vice president for campus engagement and executive communications, said organizers are also looking forward to the organic discussions and potential solutions that can emerge from bringing different people together from law, business and politics to science, engineering and public health.
“Louisiana is in a unique position as it tries to balance the importance of the energy industry with coastal and environmental concerns, and no one group has all of the answers,” said Stockwell. “You have governmental leaders and financial experts who are exploring how these changes impact economic and workforce development. There are oil and gas companies doing innovative work because they see how things are changing, and they want to be a part of it. There are people in research and development who are at the forefront of new ideas. We’re excited to bring all of them to the table in a collaborative environment so we can all learn from one another.”
The Future of Energy Forum is free to attend. Registration is available now at energyforum.tulane.edu. The site also features the full schedule, list of speakers and more information.
