Join TIEEP and STS-AIChE on May 1st for the Spring 2024 TIEEP Energy Forum. We will examine some of the major themes in the energy transition, including CCUS and hydrogen, and explore how they are being developed regionally in Houston and across the Texas Gulf Coast area. This goes beyond individual projects, or even individual companies, and looks rather at regional strategies and the organizations that are developing them.
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 4:00-6:00 pm
Theme: Energy and Decarbonization: The Big Picture
Venue: The University of Houston - Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion, on the 2nd floor of the M.D. Anderson Library. You can also join online.
Cost: Attendance at the Energy Forum is free.
Directions and Parking: Attendees are invited to park in the visitor’s section of the University of Houston - Welcome Center & Parking Garage, 4434 University Dr, Houston, TX 77204 (map). Visitor parking is located on level 3 of the parking garage. Fees apply.
Additional Details: Hybrid event. This event is co-hosted by TIEEP and STS-AIChE.
PDH certificates available.
Energy Forum Registration
Presentations
Presentation 1
CCUS: Headwinds and Tailwinds. What Will It Take?
Abstract: There is much activity in the marketplace for CCUS. Why? What will it take? What are the headwinds and tailwinds? And behind it all are the requirements for infrastructure that will enable growth. How much? How soon?
CCUS is the enabler for the energy transition and a requirement for our future.
Charles McConnell, Energy Center Officer, Center for Carbon Management in Energy (CCME), University of Houston.
Bio: As Energy Center Officer for CCME, Charles McConnell currently leads UH’s university/industry collaboration in CCUS. He has a background as a global business & operations executive, with accountability for growth of multimillion-dollar existing business and new business units. He also served as the assistant secretary of energy in the US Department of Energy from 2011-13, where he was responsible for the Office of Fossil Energy’s strategic policy leadership, budgets, project management, and research and development of the department’s coal, oil and gas, and advanced technologies programs, as well as for the operations and management of the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the National Energy Technologies Laboratories. McConnell holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University (1977) and an MBA in finance from Cleveland State University (1984).
Presentation 2
Innovative Solutions for Circular Economy: Navigating Decarbonization and Sustainability Challenges
Abstract: The road to achieving global sustainability and circularity is long. While many solutions are on the table, this presentation makes the argument for solutions that prioritize circularity and decarbonization while also being the right fit for the market and related conditions taking place.
Mr. Badiola will explore the various pathways and solutions used today and explain the operation, similarities and differences among processes like mechanical recycling, monomer recycling, and Encina’s advanced recycling process.
Attendees will come away with a view of what the future could look like where supply chains are reimagined, high-value products are created, and our society has significantly reduced its reliance on new fossil fuel resources.
Carlo Badiola, President of Technology and Engineering for Encina Development Group.
Bio: Mr. Badiola is the President of Technology and Engineering for Encina Development Group. He leads the technology development and commercialization of Encina’s advanced recycling processes. He previously served as a technical expert for ExxonMobil Chemicals, focusing on pyrolysis steam cracking, field operations, and product optimization. His experience includes detailed reactor design, operations and maintenance, technology implementation, and continuous asset value improvement. His achievements include the successful designs of commissioned pyrolysis assets and economic improvements in asset optimization, yields, safety, and reliability in various facilities within the US worldwide. He led novel technology initiatives to commercialize concepts into ExxonMobil’s pyrolysis steam cracking fleet.
He holds B.S. degrees in Mechanical and Chemical Engineering and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Presentation 3
Hydrogen Hubs... What's Next?
Abstract: This presentation will be an overview of the US DOE’s hydrogen hub program, with an emphasis on the gulf coast regional “HyVelocity Hub.” The presenter will discuss the commercial and regulatory issues that has led to the interest in hydrogen deployment. The presenter will also discuss overall regional goals for decarbonization and how hydrogen can provide some clean energy solutions.
Brian Weeks, Senior Director, R&D Development for GTI Energy.
Bio: GTI is an independent, not-for-profit research and development institute that has been bringing innovative technology to the energy industry for 80 years. In his current role, Mr. Weeks leads large-scale technology demonstration and validation programs for public-private partnerships, primarily with the U.S. DOE and GTI Energy’s many industry clients. These programs address advanced fuel infrastructure systems for hydrogen, natural gas, and hybrid electric vehicles. A recent key role was his leadership in organizing the Gulf Coast clean regional hydrogen hub (HyVelocity) where he continues to lead stakeholder outreach initiatives. Mr. Weeks also serves on the Board of the Clean Hydrogen Futures Coalition and was appointed to the Texas Railroad Commission’s hydrogen advisory council. He is a sought-after advisor on technical, market, and regulatory issues surrounding the introduction of emerging energy technologies – especially those involving hydrogen, in which he has over 20 years of experience.
Mr. Weeks is a graduate of Vanderbilt University where he received his undergraduate engineering degree. He also has an MBA and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
About TIEEP
The mission of the Texas Industrial Energy Efficiency Program (TIEEP) is to provide thought-leadership, sharing ideas, technologies, opportunities and timely information to Texas industries on ever-improving energy intensity, reduced environmental impact, resilience, and enhanced social and economic development. TIEEP’s industry focus is the oil refining and chemicals sectors. TIEEP is organized by UH Energy, and funded through a grant from the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO).
STS-AIChE Dinner
The TIEEP Water Forum will be followed by STS-AIChE’s monthly dinner meeting program. This includes:
- 6:00PM - 6:45PM Social/Networking Time
- 6:45PM - 7:15PM Dinner
- 7:15PM - 8:00PM Announcements & Awards
- 8:00PM - 9:00PM Keynote Presentation
Registration for the dinner meeting program, both online and in-person, will be available approximately 2 weeks before the meeting, on the STS-AIChE events page.
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