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November 21, 2025

Photo Essay: Students Draw Record Crowds for Tenth Annual Energy Week at Duke

Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

Powering up AI. Improving grid resilience. Breaking into energy finance. These were just a few of the topics on the table at Energy Week at Duke in early November, organized by dozens of undergraduate and graduate students from diverse degree programs. The week’s events drew attendance of more than 1,200—the highest in its decade-long history. 

“Many universities have Energy Weeks—what makes Duke’s different is that it is student-driven,” said Brian Murray, director of the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability. “The programming reflects the students’ curiosity and priorities, so it’s a different experience each year. The week is such a terrific example of how ambitious our students are—and of the teamwork and can-do culture that are such hallmarks of Duke.”

Take a peek at how the week unfolded...

Site Visit: A Look into Data Center Development with DG Matrix

A group of Duke students posing for a photo in DG Matrix office.

 

As a “sneak peek” precursor to Energy Week, students visited a manufacturing facility at DG Matrix, a local company focused on making power technology cleaner and more reliable.

 

“I got involved with Energy Week at Duke to bridge the gap between my academic studies and the real-world application of energy solutions. It's an unparalleled opportunity to connect with industry pioneers, like the team at DG Matrix, and see firsthand how innovation is driving the energy transition." 
Aashish Yadav, M.E.M.'27

Tech Innovation Accelerating the Energy Transition: Keynote Speaker & Panel Discussion

Kellan Dickens giving a keynote speech in front of an audience.


Keynote speaker Kellan Dickens, B.S.E.’07, highlighted how rapidly the energy transition is advancing, with solar installations surpassing International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts and AI, robotics, and decentralized grids accelerating renewable adoption.

“Change happens slowly, then suddenly. We chronically underestimate it. We are at a point in time here where technology is really going to define a faster pace of that suddenness and you have a really important defining dynamic of climate change and costs that are going to push us.”

Kellan Dickens, General Manager, Onshore Wind Product Line, GE Vernova


 

Duke alum Charlie Zong sitting in front of a group of people asking a question to the keynote panel


Next, a panel of experts discussed challenges and innovations in the data center industry, including Haroon Inam (DG Matrix), Molly Ward, M.E.M./M.P.P.’11 (Divcon Controls), Patrick Raab, M.B.A.’22 (Google X’s The Moonshot Factory), and moderator Chris Wedding (Fuqua School of Business). Duke alum Charlie Zong (pictured above) asked a question of the panel.

“We need the humanities in technical sectors, because we need to think about what we're measuring and how we define progress. The question I asked [the panel] about how we have real world benchmarks of AI capabilities is exactly the sort of perspective that I think a humanities major brings to the conversation, and that can change how investments are made.”

Attendee Charlie Zong, B.A.’23

Community Dinner: Measuring Grid Resilience Against Energy Ambition

Panel of experts at the Community Dinner sitting in chairs speaking to student attendees. Nicholas Institute Brian Murray speaking into microphone

 

The Community Dinner—open exclusively to Duke students—featured a panel including (left to right) Brian Murray (Nicholas Institute), Will Supple, M.E.M.’15 (Baringa), Reginald Bynum, Jr. (Sun1Energy), and Clare Fieseler, M.E.M.’10 (Canary Media Inc.). Photo credit: Weiyee Mock.

“What I would really like to see is for the industry to come around and start thinking about more performance-based metrics that are associated with resiliency specifically and tying the utilities’ core business to those outcomes.” 

Will Supple, M.E.M.’15, senior manager at Baringa, on bridging gaps between policy makers, communities, and industry to build a more resilient and equitable energy future
Duke students at the Community Dinner event talking to each other.

 

Photo credit: Weiyee Mock.

“We heard from people in consulting, community engagement, and journalism. Their perspectives on grid resilience showed how complex energy challenges can be addressed through diverse approaches, reassuring me that there is a myriad of meaningful ways to think about and contribute to the energy sector!”

Vishal Vinod, M.E.M.’27

Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition

Four Duke students pose with a check for $10,000.

 

At the 2025 Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition, graduate students pitched their innovative business models for Gridless. This year, 57 teams from 44 universities across 7 countries took part. For the first time in competition history, a Duke team took home first place. The winning team pictured from left: Judy Zhu, M.E.M.'26; Jeffrey Chu, M.E.M.'26; Yuan Yuan, M.E.M.'26; Ruiqin Wu, M.B.A.'27; and Si Min Loo, M.I.D.S.'26.

All three Duke University Case Competition co-leads stand in front of a screen.

 

Pictured from left: Graduate students Charlotte Del Col, M.E.M./M.B.A.’27, Jessalyn Chuang, M.E.M.’26, and Veena Shirsath, M.S.’26 co-led the 2025 competition, sponsored by the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project.

“To go from a participant last year to a co-chair this year has been both humbling and rewarding. It’s incredible to see the competition from the other side and contribute to shaping an experience that inspired me not long ago.” 

Veena Shirsath, M.S.’26

Energy Access and Development Panel

Energy Access and Development panel experts sitting in front of a screen in a classroom speaking to event attendees.

 

Expert panelists discussed innovative strategies, financing models, and partnerships that expand equitable access to reliable, sustainable energy in developing regions. Pictured from left to right: Jonathan Phillips (Energy Access Project), Kwabena Osei-Sarpong (RIFE International), Valentina Guido (RMI), Bolormaa Chimednamjil (The World Bank), and Alix Peterson Zwane (Nicholas Institute).

“We’ve learned that the most successful projects are the ones where communities lead, women are empowered, and youth are engaged as innovators and problem-solvers. Because when people see themselves in the solution, change becomes lasting.” 

Kwabena Osei-Sarpong, President and CEO, RIFE International via LinkedIn
A group of people sitting in a lecture hall and smiling
“I felt extremely motivated after the panel, not only from hearing about the incredible work being done by the panelists but also by the energy of the students surrounding me... eager and curious to learn how we can help solve energy equity issues in our future careers.” 

Olivia Wuttke, M.E.M.’26, Energy Week at Duke marketing co-lead and attendee

Energy Conference: The Future of Energy

Nearly 650 attendees gained insights from the 17th annual Energy Conference and its keynote conversations with Bobby Hollis (VP of Energy, Microsoft) and Rebecca Kujawa, B.A.’97, (former President and CEO, NextEra Energy Resources), a friendly debate on AI, and panel discussions. Attendees made new connections at a company expo, networking lunch, and reception.

Read key takeaways from the daylong conference, courtesy of conference marketing co-lead A.J. Meyer, M.E.M.'27.

Two people sitting in chairs in front of Geneen Auditorium. Megan Von Son Ferryman (left) and Rebecca Kujawa (right).

 

Pictured from left: Megan Van Son Ferryman, M.E.M./M.B.A.’27 (Energy Conference co-lead) and Rebecca Kujawa (NextEra Energy Resources).

“[We should all] be voracious in the information that we consume, and be really curious throughout that process, to seek to understand and seek to learn... not just in your own discipline but think about continuing to learn in other areas and other disciplines.”

Rebecca Kujawa, B.A.’97, former President and CEO, NextEra Energy Resources, on navigating constant disruption in the energy sector
Bobby Hollis sitting in a chair talking to Dalia Patino-Echeverri.

 

Pictured: Bobby Hollis (Microsoft) speaking with Dalia Patino-Echeverri (Duke Nicholas School of the Environment) in keynote conversation.

“Decarbonization is still very much interlinked with electrification. So, we will need more electricity, whether it's AI data centers or whether it's something else, it will happen. Finding those opportunities really requires us to somehow solve the transmission dilemma.” 

Bobby Hollis, Vice President of Energy, Microsoft
“What made this year’s Duke University Energy Conference so special was seeing how naturally connections formed across sectors, disciplines, and generations. Engineers were talking policy with financial experts; students were brainstorming with innovators and executives. That’s exactly what the Energy Conference is meant to do - bring people together to spark action and drive the energy transition forward.” 

Megan Van Son Ferryman, M.E.M./M.B.A.’27

Engineering a Clean Energy Future: Innovation Showcase

Innovation Showcase attendees standing around tables and talking with presenters.

 

This year’s Innovation Showcase featured student teams (including select Duke Design Climate teams), startups, and industry experts presenting innovative projects aimed at advancing the future of sustainable energy.

Duke student Ozioma Ozigbo presenting her Duke Design Climate project to an event attendee.

 

Ozioma Ozigbo, who is pursuing a master's degree in climate and sustainability engineering, presented her Design Climate project “Middle Earth Innovations," which focuses on scaling geothermal energy for heating and cooling. Photo credit: Weiyee Mock.

“Innovation is done in laboratories, but impact is created in communities, and Design Climate is teaching me how to bridge that gap and to turn ideas into solutions that deliver real value to communities.” 

Ozioma Ozigbo, M.Eng.’27

Breaking into Energy Finance: From Classroom to Boardroom, with Talisman Advisory Partners

A panel of experts sitting in front of a classroom for the Breaking Into Energy Finance event. Jenna Weiner is speaking into the microphone.

 

Panelists captivated a packed room of students with energy finance career advice, as well as guidance about how future leaders can shape a more sustainable energy landscape. Pictured left to right: Tom Perkin (Talisman Advisory Partners), Austin Scheffy (Headwater Energy), Yousif Alqatari, M.B.A.’23 (Goldman Sachs), Jenna Weiner, M.B.A.’19 (The AES Corporation), and Jose Pumarejo, M.B.A.’23 (NextEra Energy).

“If it feels risky, it’s probably the right decision...keep in mind that whatever you pursue within the energy industry value chain, whatever that initial experience is, it’ll just be a building block for what you ultimately do.” 

Yousif Alqatari, M.B.A.’23, Investment Banking Senior Associate, Goldman Sachs

Breaking into Energy: Networking Reception

The final night of Energy Week at Duke concluded with a catered reception at the JB Duke Hotel and lots of networking!

A group of people standing around in a circle socializing at an event reception in the JB Duke Hotel.
“Partnering with Duke’s Energy Week felt like a natural fit—it’s an opportunity to support and engage with students who are preparing to drive real change in the industry. Collaborating with the student organizers reflects our commitment to fostering talent and building connections across the energy ecosystem, from the classroom to the boardroom.” 

Tom Perkin, Associate Partner, Talisman Advisory Partners

 

Energy Week was the collective effort of dozens of students (some pictured here) in degree programs at the Duke Graduate School, Fuqua School of Business, Nicholas School of the Environment, Pratt School of Engineering, Sanford School of Public Policy, and Trinity College of Arts & Sciences. Nicholas School graduate students Aaron Siegle and Tsedensodnom (Terry) Uranbold served as Energy Week co-leads. 

Energy Week student organizers are advised and supported by the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability, EDGE Center at the Fuqua School of Business, James E. Rogers Energy Access Project, Office of Climate and Sustainability, and Alumni Engagement and Development at Duke University. Energy Week also received financial support from additional Duke partners and corporate sponsors. The event series is a powerful expression of the Duke Climate Commitment, which unites the university’s education, research, operations, and public service missions to address climate challenges.

Are you a Duke student interested in joining the leadership team for Energy Week at Duke 2026?

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