Leveraging all forms of capital to advance climate goals

As the climate and climate tech become more mature industries, their financing needs are evolving. While there is still a need for smart venture capital, there is also an increasing need for project finance, debt financing, and bespoke financing for first-of-a-kind projects. At the same time, the climate venture market is entering uncertain territory as high interest rates are impacting potential returns for venture investors and LPs. Our panelists will discuss trends in climate/climate-tech capital and make predictions for how the market will evolve in 2024 and beyond.

Challenges in developing countries and real opportunities for leapfrogging

This session dives into the unique dynamics and potential breakthroughs in the energy sector of developing nations. Attendees will explore critical questions such as: How can these countries overcome infrastructural and policy obstacles to adopt sustainable energy? What role can international finance play in supporting these transitions? And, crucially, how can developing nations leapfrog to advanced energy technologies while balancing economic and environmental needs? This panel will be a thought-provoking exploration of the strategies and innovations essential for driving the global energy transition in some of the most challenging yet opportunistic contexts.

Modern civilization requires massive quantities of reliable power, a demand currently met by burning fossil fuels. In order to mitigate global climate change, it is imperative that humanity use sources of energy that do not contribute to the atmospheric greenhouse effect. Fusion power generation will play a pivotal role in the transition to carbon-free energy. This panel will discuss recent developments in the commercial fusion sector, including perspectives from the nascent fusion industry, the utility companies which operate nuclear reactors, and US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Humanity's thirst for ever more power will not be quenched by any single source, but the discussions of this panel will explore the applications and implications of abundant, clean, and responsible nuclear energy.

Scaling biotechnology and electrochemistry to decarbonize manufacturing

Manufacturing (chemical, cement, steel, textile, etc.) accounts for about 30% of global carbon emission. Chemistry is at the core of manufacturing and recent advances in biotechnology and electrochemistry have shown promise in revolutionizing manufacturing to mitigate carbon emission. In this panel, we will discuss transformative technologies in the realm of biotechnology and electrochemistry-based manufacturing and challenges with scaling these technologies to compete with traditional industries.

Building the value chain for recycled batteries

This panel navigates the evolving landscape of battery recycling, emphasizing the imperative to establish a robust value chain out from a currently nascent ecosystem. Against the backdrop of EU regulations mandating EV battery recycling (Summer 2023) and notable US startups incentivized by the Inflation Reduction Act, this discussion will address not only the techno-economic challenges of recycling batteries but also the crucial link between energy security and supply chain resiliency to support the growing demand for EV batteries.

Distributed energy resources and their integration into the grid

This panel will explore the dynamic interplay between fortifying power grids against disruptions and integrating advanced energy storage solutions for a sustainable and adaptive energy landscape. The panel will speak about how to enhance the resilience of power grids and ensure their ability to withstand and recover from various disruptions. Simultaneously, the discussion will pivot to the role of energy storage, encompassing both distributed energy resources (DERs) and their seamless integration into the grid. Experts will unravel the potential of energy storage solutions to not only bolster grid stability but also facilitate the effective incorporation of renewable energy sources, ushering in a more sustainable and responsive energy ecosystem.

Entrepreneurs and policy-makers discuss progress in the sector

In the fall of 2022, President Biden signed the historic (and the biggest) federal climate legislation also known as the Inflation Reduction into law. The legislation has kicked off a stunning boom in clean energy manufacturing in the United States by attracting billions of dollars of investments from both domestic and foreign firms, be it an electric vehicle, a sprawling solar array, or the whirring blade of a wind turbine. The law is also a game-changer for developing first-of-kind technologies like green hydrogen, geothermal energy, long-duration energy storage, carbon capture, etc. This panel brings the policy and industry leaders together to discuss how the shifting domestic energy policy landscape is making public and private partnerships possible to break through technologies of the future to meet the 1.5°C global warming goal.

Wastewater circularity in support of transitioning energy and food systems

A discussion at the nexus of energy, water, and food focusing on wastewater valorization and trends toward circularity of water, and the products within it. Specifically addressing gaps in existing infrastructure, water valuation, and public perception while exploring opportunities through policy, technology and community engagement to address these challenges. How can decentralization improve circilarity? How can the valorization of wastewater, both domestic and industrial, support a transitioning energy economy?

Leveraging existing oil and gas infrastructure and expertise for geothermal expansion

This panel delves into the symbiotic relationship between the established oil and gas sector and the burgeoning geothermal energy landscape. In this discussion, industry titans, innovators, and experts converge to explore how the formidable technological prowess, operational expertise, and infrastructure of the oil and gas industry can propel the evolution of geothermal solutions. Examining collaborative strategies, market dynamics, environmental stewardship, and regulatory frameworks, our panel seeks to unravel the transformative potential of this unlikely alliance, charting a course towards a sustainable and diversified energy future.

Domestic development & global interests

This panel addresses the U.S. perspective on, and role in, critical minerals for the energy transition. One aspect is the capacity for domestic resources to meet needs, including ramp-up of domestic mining & processing. Another aspect is the significant global resources at play, which the U.S. needs to navigate in order to build resilient & sustainable supply chains. The discussion can deepen our understanding of how U.S. domestic & global critical minerals policies can intersect to support a sustainable energy transition.

Winds of change in offshore landscape

In this upcoming panel discussion, we explore the evolving landscape of U.S. offshore wind energy. This session features experts in industry and academia who will discuss how we can foster an ecosystem to accelerate offshore wind research, development, and deployment, especially in these uncertain times. The dialogue will focus on the collaborative efforts across government, industry, and academia, to tackle the unique challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. offshore wind sector.

Beyond low-hanging fruit in building decarbonization

With the built environment being responsible for a significant portion of global emissions, its decarbonization cannot be overlooked. In this panel, we will spotlight the dynamic intersection of policy, technology, and investments in the effort to decarbonize commercial and residential real estate. Our panelists, comprising industry thought leaders and experts, will unravel the intricate interplay between governmental policies, cutting-edge technologies, and strategic investments driving sustainable transformations. Join us for an engaging discussion to explore how these three pillars will shape the future of decarbonization initiatives and how we approach real estate development.

EV adoption and challenges with scaling charging infrastructure

Light-Duty vehicles along with medium and heavy duty trucks are responsible for 23% of the US total GHG Emissions in 2021. While we have seen strides in passenger car emission reduction through advances in engine efficiency and fuel substitution, emissions associated with trucks and buses have increased by 103%. This leads to the question: beyond the electrification of passenger cars, how can holistic decarbonization of land transportation be achieved? Analyzing charging infrastructures and standardization, commercial fleet transition, federal efforts and public transport, as well as sustainable fuels, this panel seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interdependencies and how these factors will shape the future of energy transition in transportation.

Alums share their personal journey from MIT to founding/executive roles

Come for insights and inspiration from MIT alumni with storied careers in the energy space. In a sector undergoing unprecedented transformation, how can you think strategically about a decades-long career? How do you balance passion with opportunity as new industries vie to supplant established ones? Our panelists have navigated these choppy waters and come out on top! What skills did they pick up at MIT that are they grateful for? What did they have to learn on the way? And what advice would they give to early- to mid-career professionals in 2024?

Developing and sustaining a skilled workforce for the energy transition

The “Training the Transition” panel will discuss the impact of the green transition on the workforce and paths forwards to create an inclusive and equitable transition. As the world pivots towards sustainable practices and renewable energy sources, there is a critical need to explore the implications of this shift for the individuals comprising the backbone of our workforce. The panel will delve into topics such as workforce policy, retraining opportunities, and the creation of new employment sectors within the green economy. Ultimately, the goal is to enable the green transition while prioritizing the well-being and sustainable livelihoods of the workforce.

How net zero commitments are catalyzing global decarbonization strategies and carbon emissions disclosure?

From Fortune 500 companies to large asset managers, leading firms and companies are taking decisive steps to 'future-proof' their businesses and portfolios by analyzing, disclosing, and mitigating climate-related risks. Many have made public net-zero commitments aimed at decarbonizing their operations by adopting more efficient processes, retiring and/or divesting heavily polluting assets, and buying high-quality carbon removals. Yet, this voluntary vanguard faces both internal and external barriers. From data quality to 'greenhushing,' this panel will discuss how firms and innovators are adapting their approaches to decarbonization in a more challenging environment.