This month the Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability and James E. Rogers Energy Access Project at Duke University welcomed Sandeep Pai as an executive in residence and senior lead for international energy transitions. Pai brings more than a decade of leadership experience at the intersection of research, program strategy and policy to the role.

Discover highlights from FY 2025 in this digital report. Covering July 2024 to June 2025, the report features actionable research, engagement with decision‑makers on emerging issues and hands‑on learning experiences that equip Duke students to lead.

Two teams of graduate students from Duke and a team from the University of Cape Town were collectively awarded $15,000 in the finals of the 2025 Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition held Tuesday as part of Energy Week at Duke. Over the fall, the competition challenged 57 teams to develop business solutions to a real-world energy challenge from Kenya-based company Gridless.

While developing countries are increasingly connecting their populations to electricity, more than 3.5 billion people still lack reliable energy and the social and economic benefits that come with it. A new working paper published by the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project at Duke explores how advances in digital technologies, coupled with shifts in development finance, could enable new performance-linked incentives to improve grid reliability.

A new study sheds light on how political influence affects the distribution of Northern Bangladesh's TR/Kabita solar home system program. "If we want energy access and other basic services to reach the underserved truly, we need systems that not only deliver but also listen," lead author Rafia Zaman, postdoctoral associate at the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project, told Environment for Development.

The richness of Duke’s intellectual communities and its deep commitment to interdisciplinarity are major draws for leading scholars, including Marc Jeuland and Kyle Bradbury, whose reach on campus includes appointments with the Nicholas Institute. 

The 2024–2025 Bass Connections program featured 16 interdisciplinary teams in the Energy & Environment theme administered by the Nicholas Institute. Duke students involved in a handful of the teams talked about their projects during the annual Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase last month.

Two Duke students share takeaways from the 2025 Energy in Emerging Markets Career Trek, held February 27–28 in Washington, D.C. This annual trek brings together Duke students from across disciplines and programs, eager to explore careers in global energy transitions. Organized by Duke’s Global Energy Access Network (GLEAN) and the James E. Rogers Energy Access Project, the trip featured keynotes on innovation in energy careers and data-driven finance, as well as panels on equitable energy transitions and energy access finance and policy.

The Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability at Duke University has named Alix Peterson Zwane as its director of research and engagement strategy, effective April 1.

The 2024 Energy Week at Duke brought together students, faculty and industry leaders to explore the pressing challenges and opportunities in the energy landscape around the theme of “advancing energy innovation in the Southeast and beyond." The Chronicle wrapped up the community-driven events and expert-led panels held from Nov. 11–15.

Top teams from Syracuse, Duke and McGill universities were collectively awarded $15,000 in the finals of the 2024 Energy in Emerging Markets Case Competition held Tuesday as part of Energy Week at Duke. Over the fall, the competition challenged more than 70 teams to develop energy business models for Ugandan e-mobility company Zembo.

Senior representatives from Duke Kunshan University’s founding partners were joined by renowned scholars, policymakers, entrepreneurs and investors for the 2024 Duke International Forum, an annual meeting of minds focusing this year on “Renovating Climate Policy and Green Finance for Future Sustainability.” Nicholas Institute experts Brian Murray, Jackson Ewing and Jonathan Phillips were among the participants.

As climate change intensifies, many low- and middle-income countries face a precarious balancing act between addressing urgent climate adaptation and development needs and pursuing clean energy transitions. A Climate Week NYC panel—hosted by Duke University at the Nest Climate Campus—unpacked the challenges these countries face.

For a roundup of key themes from the conversation, read this Nicholas Institute publication.

Climate Week NYC 2024, held Sept. 22-29, gathered hundreds of business and political leaders across the globe to address the need for climate action. Among the distinguished voices included Duke University, whose lineup of climate experts shared their insights and research at several key events as part of Duke's Climate Commitment. A photo essay from Duke Today showcased the involvement of Duke scholars, including several from the Nicholas Institute.

Jackson Ewing, director of energy and climate policy, speaks with Duke Today about explorations of how low- and middle-income countries can overcome challenges to clean energy transitions. On September 27, he will moderate a Climate Week NYC panel: “How Can Energy Transitions Balance Growth, Decarbonization, and Human Development?”.