The CU Energy Club will host its fifth annual conference on Thursday, March 6, 10a.m.-5:30 p.m. in the UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom. The event, focused on the significant energy questions of today, will feature renowned speaker and scientist, Amory Lovins. Two panels, a poster session and career fair hosting a range of entities with ties to energy will follow Lovins鈥� keynote speech. The conference is free and open to the public.
鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to have a technical background,鈥� said Jake Aho, vice president of the and Ph.D. candidate in electrical engineering. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 part of the vision we have, to make sure that anybody can come and be able to get a lot out of it.鈥�
Kayla Weston, president of the CU Energy Club and senior in chemical engineering, adds that energy is a subject which requires involvement from students of every background. 鈥淚t鈥檚 almost necessary for all majors to be involved,鈥� said Weston. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think that any sort of solutions are going to come from just a single focus.鈥�
The two panels will address topics on 鈥淒istributed vs. Utility Scale Renewable Energy鈥� and 鈥淭he Evolving Natural Gas Economy.鈥� These topics were chosen because they address pressing questions about energy today and relate to the scope of Lovins鈥� work, including his recently published book "Reinventing the Fire."
Lovins is the founder of the Rocky Mountain Institute, and is well-known for his influential perspectives on energy efficiency, consumption and resources. He has been recognized by several organizations and publications for awards, like TIME Magazine鈥檚 鈥�100 Most influential people in the World.鈥� One aspect of Lovins鈥� view on energy is that regardless of ideological differences, relevant policies should focus on the way energy is consumed.
The is open to all students who wish to participate, and posters will be judged for cash prizes under categories: Electricity Generation and Storage, Fuels and Transportation, Economics, Policy and Sociology, Energy Management and Peoples鈥� Choice. Top posters for each category will receive $250, the Peoples鈥� Choice award winner will receive $500, and there is a separate category for undergraduate students. At the end of the day, a will offer networking opportunities for students with a range of interests in energy.