Event Type: Student Event

2026 Spring Student Summit

Time: 9AM-1:30PM

 

We’re excited to bring you our 2026 Spring Student Summit, Powering the Next Decade!

 

As part of UT Energy Week, the Summit is designed to foster meaningful interaction between students and industry professionals while exploring the growth in demand for U.S. power generation, emerging sources of supply, and the policy landscape shaping the U.S. power system.

 

 

Schedule

 

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Registration and Breakfast / Meet & Greet with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and the Student Advisory Council

 

9:00 AM – 9:05 AM Welcome and Introductions 

 

9:05 AM – 9:40 AM Keynote: “Building Energy for a Changing World”

Brittany Kelm, Senior Policy Advisor, National Energy Dominance Council

 

9:45 AM – 11:25 AM Panel 1 – “Delivering on US Power Needs Over the Coming Decade” 

Jaime Gualy, COO of vertically integrated U.S. solar and battery storage leader T1 Energy

Dr. Derek Haas, UT Associate Professor of Nuclear and Radiation Engineering, consultant to nuclear energy development companies and co-founder of NuWells Energy

Mike Wichterich, Interim CEO, Expand Energy 

 

10:30 AM – 11:05 AM Keynote

Omead Ashar, Former Vice President of Manufacturing and Operations, Tesla

 

11:10 AM – 11:50 AM Panel 2 – “Infrastructure Build-Out as a Foundation for the US and Texas AI Opportunity  

Therese Kerfoot, EVP of Strategy at Edgecore Digital Infrastructure

Michael McKissack, EVP Strategy at WTG

Sam Siegel, VP of Business Development at Vistra 

 

11:50 AM – 12:05 PM Lunch

 

12:05 PM – 12:45 PM Power Project Case Study – “US Battery Storage, Facilitating the US Energy Transition”

Travis Cook, Associate, Capital Markets & Project Finance, Jupiter Power 

 

12:50 PM – 1:30 PM Panel 3 – “How Will Public Policy and Grid Underpin Texas’ Bullish Economic Outlook”

Morgan Johnson, Commissioner with Public Utility Commission of Texas

Katharine McAden, Head of Public Policy and External Affairs, South Region at Google

Chad Seely, SVP Regulatory Policy, General Council and Chief Compliance Officer for ERCOT 


1:30 PM – 1:35 PM Closing Remarks 

 

 

REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT

(don’t forget to click ‘Friday’ at checkout)

Hydrogen Rising Stars Program

The Rising Stars Program will once again run alongside World Hydrogen & Carbon Americas, taking place March 10–12 at the Marriott Marquis in Houston.

 

This opportunity is for students, early-career professionals, or young professionals network. The program offers a limited number of complimentary passes and provides a valuable opportunity to gain exposure to real-world hydrogen and carbon management projects, technical and strategic insights, and meaningful industry connections.

 

Participants in the Rising Stars Program will be joining senior representatives from organizations already confirmed to attend the event, including Oxy, ExxonMobil, Amazon, TALKE, Rabobank, Constellation, SABIC, TotalEnergies, CEMEX, Shell, Dow, BASF, CF Industries, ENGIE, Air Products, Air Liquide, ConocoPhillips, Siemens Energy, Linde, Topsoe, ADM, Evonik, Neste, the Global CCS Institute, NEDO, the Port of Houston, the Port of Los Angeles, Bank of America, and many more.

 

This exposure makes the program a particularly valuable experience for those at the early stages of their careers who are looking to deepen their understanding of the hydrogen transition and low-carbon technologies.

 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and complimentary passes are subject to approval and availability, so we encourage interested individuals to apply as soon as possible.

APPLY

Energy & Espresso

Hot takes. Hot coffee. Hot topics. 🔥

Our newest student group, @womeninenergy.ut, is kicking off their first monthly Energy & Espresso event. Come talk energy trends, ideas, and the future of the industry with fellow students who care about changing it ⚡

This event welcomes all perspectives and attendance from various energy groups across campus.

🗓 Friday, Feb 27 | 1–2PM 📍 Rowling Hall (RRH 1.350) ☕ Coffee and snacks provided

All majors are welcome – no RSVP required! See you there.

Spill the Tea on Energy

Join us for a high tea and spill all the tea on everything energy.

 

Location and Time: TBC

Law and Business Program Lunch

Law and Business Program Lunch, an event by TJOGEL

 

Please join us for a conversation with Michael Levy, Texas Law alum and founder of Texas Monthly, as he shares his journey from law school to the journalism and business world. The event is hosted on Thursday, January 29th from 12:00-1:00pm in TNH 2.137, UT Austin. Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP here before Monday, January 26th to ensure we have enough food.