- Fall 2019 -
Would you like to share your experience, research, or expertise with UMN Energy Club members? Email us at [email protected] with a description of your talk and we'll get back to you soon!
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Past Meetings
- Spring 2019 -
February 26, 2019
Jacob Herbers is a graduate policy researcher with experience in project management, interdisciplinary teamwork, international climate diplomacy, program & policy analysis, strategic planning & decision-making, concise policy & technical writing, public/media communication, and mechanical engineering.
Tyler Vogel is the co-founder of Wings of the Night, a social innovator with a history of working on social and environmental issues including business venture design, program management, and cross-sector collaboration. Matthew Jones is a Graduate Research Assistant at the Center for Science, Technology, Environmental Policy. He is also a 2020 MS Environmental Policy Candidate and Research Assistant interested in climate, sustainability and energy solutions. Jacob Herbers, Matthew Jones, and Tyler Vogel from UMN’s Humphrey School discussed the UN Climate Conference in Katowice, Poland. |
March 12th, 2019
April 9th, 2019
Siri Simons is a Senior Planner for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Siri coordinates across MnDOT divisions to set and implement sustainability strategies, and contribute to statewide planning efforts. Specifically, she coordinated the development of the agency’s first sustainability report, which set targets to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent before 2025.
Siri Simons discussed MnDOT’s sustainability projects. |
April 16th, 2019
Michelle Heyn is a PhD Candidate and a Manager, Principal & Corporate Giving Services at the University of Minnesota Foundation. Michelle is responsible for scaling corporate and foundation relations (CFR) research program including strategic approach, prospecting, technology changes, and data trends storytelling.
Michelle Heyn discussed corporate and social responsibility, specifically relating to greenhouse gas emissions. |
- Fall 2018 -
September 10, 2018
Dr. Gabe Chan is a current Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota's Humphrey School of Public Affairs in the Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy area. He received his bachelor's degree in Political Science and Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science from MIT and his PhD in Public Policy from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Dr. Chan has also worked in the Department of Energy's Office of Climate Change Policy and Technology. He returned to speak to UMN Energy Club about public policy relating to energy and the environment. |
September 24, 2018
Lynn Hu graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, with a minor in Fisheries and Wildlife. Lynn gave an introduction to Spark-Y, a nonprofit that empowers youth with hands-on education rooted in sustainability and entrepreneurship. She also gave an introduction to aquaponics, and talked about volunteering and internship opportunities at Spark Y. |
October 8, 2018
Dr. Roger Ruan is a professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota. His interests include renewable energy, bioenergy, waste management and utilization, microalgae, and nondestructive and noninvasive instumentation for food analysis. Dr. Ruan discussed complete solid and liquid waste utilization technologies, including microwave assisted catalytic thermochemical conversion technology and vacuum assisted anaerobic digestion technology to demonstration waste treatment through complete utilization. |
October 22, 2018
Dr. Lawrence Baker is a research professor in the University of Minnesota's Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering Department. He does interdisciplinary research focusing on human ecosystems, aka cities and farms. Dr. Baker lead an engaging discussion centered around the demographic characteristics of total household energy consumption. |
November 5, 2018
Dr. Donald Fosnacht is an Associate Director and Initiative Director for Renewable Energy at the University of Minnesota Duluth. His focus is in biofuels as well as energy storage and production. Dr. Fosnacht presented on the use of biomass pretreatment techniques to develop alternative heating and cooking fuels for West Africa. He described a chain of events in which a dam caused a build-up of typha plants which villagers had to cut by hand to access drinking water and fishing sites. He then discussed the research done to use typha as a substitute for wood in charcoal production for use as a fuel. You can see his presentation by clicking his picture to the right. |
November 19, 2018
Professor Alexandra Klass is a Distinguished McKnight University Professor at the University of Minnesota Law School. Professor Klass discussed recent developments in U.S. energy policy, economics, and technology. Although President Trump and his cabinet Secretaries, particularly at the Interior Department, Energy Department, and EPA, have announced dramatic policy shifts away from those pursued during the Obama Administration, the new administration's ability to accomplish its goals is in some instances helped and in other instances hindered by existing federal and state laws as well as private sector technology and economic trends. Topics included the shift away from the use of coal and toward natural gas and renewable energy in the electricity sector; the use of federal public lands to develop oil, natural gas, coal, wind, and solar energy; developments in technology and law associated with hydraulic fracturing; and controversies over new oil and gas pipelines such as the Dakota Access and Keystone XL Pipelines.
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December 3, 2018
Shane Stennes is the Director of Sustainability at the University of Minnesota. Shane graduated from St. John's University and the College of St. Benedict with a BA in Political Science and International Relations, and received a Master of Human Resources from the University of South Carolina. Shane discussed the University of Minnesota's Climate Action Plan, energy efficiency, and renewable energy efforts on campus. You can see his presentation by clicking his picture to the right. |