Eighth Annual Energy Week at Duke Focuses on Equitable Clean Energy Transition

Students from diverse degree programs are gearing up to launch the eighth annual Energy Week at Duke (Nov. 6-10, 2023). Pictured: Katie Maxwell, a master of environmental management student at the Nicholas School of the Environment.

During Energy Week at Duke (Nov. 6-10, 2023), members of the university community will explore strategies for swiftly advancing an equitable clean energy transition.

Organized by Duke students from diverse undergraduate and graduate degree programs, this year’s Energy Week events feature insights from industry and community leaders along with opportunities to compete, network and share ideas.

“This year’s events will help our community explore how to move our world toward clean energy in a just way, and many of the conversations are intentionally grounded in the context of North Carolina,” said Carley Tucker, who is pursuing concurrent master’s degrees in environmental management and business administration. Tucker co-leads this year’s Energy Week organizing team alongside Ian Hitchcock, who is pursuing a master's degree in public policy.

This year’s events include:

Friday, Nov. 3 

• Geothermal Energy Site Visit (1:30-3 p.m. ET) – Students will take part in a guided visit to Duke’s on-campus geothermal drill site. Registration is full, but Duke students can join the waitlist. 

Monday, Nov. 6 

• From Policy to Progress: What IRA and IIJA Mean for Our Clean Energy Future (5-6:30 p.m. ET) – Policy experts will discuss what historic federal climate laws mean for community development, sustainability efforts and economic growth across North Carolina. Registration is full, but anyone can join the waitlist.

Tuesday, Nov. 7

• Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition (8 a.m-3 p.m. ET) – Watch finalist student teams from five universities around the world vie for $15,000 in prizes as they present innovative business models for this year’s case partner, Okra Solar. Sponsored by the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project. Tickets available! Free to all.
   
• Bringing the Transition Home: Energy Justice in NC (4:45-6 p.m. ET) – Panelists will discuss how energy injustice has manifested in North Carolina and how communities are coming together to create a better future energy system for us all. Registration is full, but anyone can join the waitlist.
   
• Community Dinner: Nourishing Conversations for Our Shared Climate Future (6:30-8:30 p.m. ET) – A panel of energy finance, renewable energy development and community organizing experts will kick off a dinner discussion about tackling the nuances of a just energy transition. Registration is full, but anyone can join the waitlist.

Wednesday, Nov. 8 

• 15th Annual Duke University Energy Conference (8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. ET) – A daylong conference will highlight industry insights on the transformation of energy systems, finance and technologies, featuring keynote speakers from NextEra Energy, Microsoft and Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The agenda includes panels and a company expo, along with a light breakfast, lunch and networking reception. Registration is full. 

Thursday, Nov. 9

• Unearthing Circularity: Redefining the Critical Mineral Lifecycle (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. ET) – This fireside chat with David Klanecky, CEO of battery recycling company Cirba Solutions, will address opportunities to make the clean energy transition more sustainable and equitable through innovative circularity processes. Registration is full, but anyone can join the waitlist.
   
• Wrap Party + Energy Trivia (5-7 p.m. ET) – A casual energy trivia game night at the Devil’s Krafthouse will bring Energy Week to a close—people with all levels of energy background knowledge and buzzer skills are welcome. Registration is full, but anyone can join the waitlist.

All events will be held in person, with no virtual viewing option. Recordings of the Duke University Energy Conference will be available in early 2024. 

This student-led effort to engage the campus community in learning and dialogue about energy transformation and energy justice is aligned with the priorities of the Duke Climate Commitment. 

The Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability and the Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment (EDGE) at the Fuqua School of Business offer advice and support to student organizers. 

Questions? Contact Energy Week student co-chairs Carley Tucker and Ian Hitchcock at energyweek@duke.edu.