Join us at the annual Future of Global Energy Conference, presented by Shell USA, Inc. and hosted by the Greater Houston Partnership, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), and the Center for Houston's Future. This premier event convenes industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and academics to explore Houston's pivotal role in addressing the dual challenge of meeting growing energy demands while reducing carbon emissions.

Conference Theme

Houston’s Role in Meeting the Dual Energy and Climate Challenge

As global energy demands soar, we must balance economic growth with urgent climate action. This conference delves into Houston's unique position to lead in this effort, driving innovation, collaboration, and investment towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.

Key Topics

• Understanding Local and Global Energy Demand: Analyzing the implications of rising energy needs for Houston's energy sector.
• Balancing Growth and Sustainability: Strategies to meet energy demands while minimizing carbon footprints.
• Investment Opportunities: Identifying barriers and solutions to scaling low-carbon energy investments.
• Houston's Role in Innovation: Exploring how Houston fosters economic growth through pioneering energy technologies.
• Leveraging Partnerships: Enhancing collaboration across industries, academia, and government to accelerate progress.

Conference Highlights

• Emerging Talent Program with support from Chevron: Emphasizing the importance of recruiting and nurturing talent equipped to navigate the dual energy and climate challenge.
• Judged Poster Competition: TEX-E will host a “dual challenge” poster competition featuring contributions from TEX-E fellows and local university students.
• Innovation Expo: A showcase of cutting-edge technologies and solutions for addressing the dual challenge.

Agenda

8:15 - 8:55 a.m. | Morning Plenary 
Context Setting: The Current State of the Economy

• Lorie K. Logan, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
• Jane Stricker, Senior Vice President of Energy Transition, Greater Houston Partnership & Executive Director, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI)

 

9:10 - 9:50 a.m. | Session 1 – More Energy, More Value
What is driving global energy demand, and how will Houston continue to deliver the energy the world needs at scale? 

This session will explore energy and power demand from a range of areas (e.g., energy growth, energy transition, developing economies) and the implications for growth in LNG, hydrogen, ammonia, renewables, among other energy sources. 

• Michael Cohen, Chief US Economist and Head of Oil & Refining, bp
• Luciano Di Fiori, Partner - Energy Solutions, McKinsey & Company

 

10:05 - 10:45 a.m. | Session 2 – Houston – Epicenter of Energy Innovation for Scale
Innovation for the energy transition will come from all corners of the world. How can Houston continue to leverage its existing capabilities, talent and infrastructure to bring new energy technologies and businesses to scale? This session will include a spotlight on three growth companies deploying new technologies and infrastructure that are needed for the future energy system. The energy leaders will share the approaches they are taking to scale their businesses, the benefits of being able to leverage from the incumbent industry in Houston, and the impact they are have in Houston, nationally and beyond.   

• Kristina Lund, President, Pattern Energy
• Brooke Vandygriff, Chief Operating Officer, HIF Global
• Bud Vos, CEO, MetOx International 
• Moderator: Barbara Burger, Corporate Graduate and Energy Director and Advisor

 

10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | Morning Break
Poster Competition facilitated by TEX-E

 

Noon - 1:30 p.m. | Luncheon 
Houston – Ambitions for an Energy and Low-Carbon Finance Capital

• Keynote Speaker: Dr. Carmichael S. Roberts, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Material Impact and Co-Lead, Investment Committee, Breakthrough Energy Ventures 
• Fireside Chat Moderator: Bobby Tudor, CEO, Artemis Energy Partners; Retired Founder and CEO of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., Artemis Energy Partners

 

1:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Afternoon Break
Innovation Expo: Showcasing Houston’s advancements in energy transition technologies

 

2:30 - 3:10 p.m. | Session 3 – Creating New Opportunities by Solving the Dual Challenge
Houston is home to over 5000 energy companies – many with decades of experience in the production and delivery of energy. It is also one of the youngest and most diverse cities in the country. With that backdrop, how can Houston businesses leverage those strengths as we lead the world toward an energy abundant, lower carbon future in a way that creates economic opportunity for all?  

This session will discuss Houston’s opportunity to attract and grow new businesses and projects that deliver low-carbon energy and emissions reduction technologies, and the region’s critical role in deploying those technologies to the world. This session will also explore the importance of recruiting new talent and developing a workforce that will bring diverse ideas, solutions and jobs to the region.

• Stuart Andreason, Executive Director of Programs, The Burning Glass Institute
• Leslie Beyer, Board Member: Patterson UTI-Energy (NASDAQ: PTEN), Forum Energy Technologies (NYSE: FET), Advisory Board Member: Veriten, UNC Kenan-Flagler Energy Center
• Moderator: Debalina Sengupta, Chief Operations Officer, Energy Transition Institute, Division of Energy and Innovation, University of Houston

 

3:25 - 4:05 p.m. | Session 4 – Meeting the Dual Challenge, What is Holding Back Progress?
Houston seemingly has all the elements needed to help the world meet the dual climate and energy challenge. What is keeping investment from flowing into low-carbon technologies and projects, and what do we need to unlock it?  

This session will explore the policy & investment landscape for scaling new energy projects.  Speakers will discuss various approaches and hurdles to advancing and commercializing low-carbon and energy technologies. How can Houston leverage its energy scaling experience to accelerate growth of impactful solutions for the dual challenge? 

• Caroline Abramo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Pana LCE Investments
• Jonathan W. Cox, Co-Head Energy, Power, Renewables, Mining Investment Banking, JPMorgan Chase
• Kenneth B. Medlock, III, PhD, Senior Director, Center for Energy Studies, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Director, Master of Energy Economics, Rice University
• Moderator: Scott Nyquist,  Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Company and Vice Chairman, Houston Energy Transition Initiative of the Greater Houston Partnership

The Future of Global Energy Conference is your chance to engage with thought leaders and innovators who are shaping the future of energy. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be part of the conversation and drive meaningful change.