On October 24th the University of Utah’s Energy & Geoscience Institute in partnership with the University of Houston’s Division of Energy and Innovation held a joint technical conference at the University of Houston to delve into the latest research and developments in oil and gas, carbon management, hydrogen, renewable energy integration, and geothermal energy.
“There is an urgent need to aggressively pursue low-carbon, clean energy solutions while providing adequate and reliable energy for all populations,” stated Dr. Milind Deo, EGI Director. “EGI continues to make strides in research across all aspects of energy to support these goals, which is why the opportuning to partner with faculty across multiple departments at the University of Utah, as well as with other strategic partners, such as the University of Houston, is of vital importance.
The conference, which took place in Houston, Texas, aimed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, showcasing how innovative research can drive practical solutions and advancements. Attendees were presented with valuable insights into how these emerging technologies and methodologies can enhance operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and create new opportunities in the energy sector.
When asked how he felt about partnering with the University of Utah on a joint conference, Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Vice President for Energy and Innovation at UH stated, “I am thrilled to partner with the University of Utah on hosting this important conference, which showcases our shared commitment to advancing transformative energy solutions. Through this partnership, we will work together to address pressing energy challenges and drive sustainable innovation.”
During the conference, attendees had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Sriram Srinivasan, Senior Vice President of Global Technology at Halliburton. Srinivasan oversees Halliburton’s technology investment and intellectual asset management, the development of new products and services, and the strategy and structure of the Company’s global Technology organization.
The keynote speaker was Scott W. Tinker, a global energy explorer working to bring industry, government, academia, and nongovernmental organizations together to address major societal challenges in energy, the environment, and the economy. He is Director Emeritus of the Bureau of Economic Geology at UT Austin, CEO of Tinker Energy Associates and Chairman of the nonprofit Switch Energy Alliance.
Other speakers included Dr. Joseph Moore, Managing Principal Investigator of the Utah FORGE project at the University of Utah; Dr. Milind Deo, Professor of Chemical Engineering and EGI Director at the University of Utah; Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Vice President for Energy and Innovation at the University of Houston, Dr. Joseph Powell, Executive Director of the Energy Transition Institute at UH, and Tim Latimer, CEO of Fervo Energy among many other energy experts and leaders.
The conference proved to be a valuable opportunity for industry professionals to connect with leading researchers, exchange ideas, and explore collaborative efforts that can propel the energy industry forward.