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PROGRAM

2008 CHANCELLOR'S SYMPOSIUM ON LIFE SCIENCES

2009 CHANCELLOR’S SYMPOSIUM ON ENERGY
PROGRAM OF WORKSHOPS

Presented by:

Workshops – Session One Back to top
10:25 – 11:20 a.m.

• Green Energy at Houston Community College, Pecan Room

Generally, green energy describes those sources of energy that are considered to be environmentally friendly and non-polluting.  The most common ones include wind, biofuel, geothermal, and solar energies, as opposed to fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.  Green energy sources lower carbon emissions and create less pollution.

The Energy Institute at HCC-Northeast provides students with education, training, seminars, forums and workshops dedicated to the understanding, promotion, development and application of a wide variety of green energy generating technologies and practices.

• Green Awareness Program at HCC Energy Institute

Presenter:                   Dr. John Galiotos, HCC-NE Science & Engineering Technology Division Chair, Energy Institute Director

Professor Galiotos will review the many research and training opportunities HCC-NE students have in the area of green energy, including biofuels, solar and wind. Career paths and employment opportunities in the growing green energy field will be discussed.

• Biofuels Technologies: Opportunities and Challenges

Presenter:                  Dr. Chandra Mittal, HCC Northeast Professor Biotechnology

Professor Mittal will specifically address the role and importance of research and development of biofuels as partial alternative energy sources for transportation and industry applications. He will also speak to the ongoing research and training provided in this area to HCC-NE students.

• Engineering Careers in Energy,  Elm Room

Engineers in the energy industry promote sustainable and clean energy usage. Electrical engineering is a branch of engineering which uses mathematics and technology to provide services related to electrical and electronic devices and systems. Career options open to electrical engineers include specializing in power systems and energy conversion, and the design of large electric power systems to provide energy to homes and industries.

• Electrical Engineering: Preparing for a Career in Energy Systems

Presenter:                  Mukul Shirvaikar, University of Texas at Tyler, Professor and Chair, EE Dept.

Dr. Shirvaikar will outline the education and training required to become an electrical engineer, various specialties within the field, importance of electrical engineers, and career opportunities. Electrical engineering’s role and impact on the energy industry will also be assessed.

• Engineer Careers at Energy Companies

Presenter:                  Pete Schrimpf, Director of Operations, Chevron Energy Solutions

Mr. Schrimpf will offer perspective on the variety of engineering careers available at companies like Chevron, and the role of engineering teams in terms of providing efficient, reliable and renewable energy services.

• Fossil Fuels and Petroleum Geology, Live Oak Room

Fossil fuels include those non-renewable fuels formed through the decomposition of buried dead plants, animals, algae, protozoans and bacteria, and contain high percentages of carbon and hydrocarbons. They primarily include liquid petroleum, methane gas and coal. Worldwide, fossil fuels provide about 86% of our energy. The burning of fossil fuels, however, raises environmental concerns. As developing nations such as China and India continue to rely on fossil fuels more heavily each year, their power consumption of such fuels may prove to be unsustainable. New exploration and extraction technologies will play a critical role in extending the use of fossil fuels.

• Petroleum in the 21st Century

Presenter:                   Dr. Dwight Kranz, HCC Northwest Professor of Geology

Professor Kranz will address the current status and importance of our vital petroleum resources, their sustainability, and availability for the future. Career paths and educational requirements for future petroleum engineers will be identified as well.

• The Future of Energy: What’s on the Horizon and What it Means for You

Presenter:                  Thomas Potempa, Senior Staff Reservoir Engineer, Shell Upstream Americas

Mr. Potempa will speak about new and advanced technologies of fossil fuel recovery and extraction, the future of fossil fuels such as petroleum, and their impact on our lives.

• Houston Area Energy Opportunities, Red Oak Ballroom A

CenterPoint Energy is the nation’s third-largest combined electricity and gas utility, with over 8,600 employees. To address power quality disturbances such as outages and voltage fluctuations, CenterPoint has developed, in collaboration with IBM, “smart grid” technology, which provides immediate on-demand data to improve grid planning, operations and maintenance. Part of the new technology involves the use of “smart” electric and gas meters, as well as a self-healing “intelligent grid”.

• Smart Jobs-Smart Electric Grid

Presenter:                  Alice Otchere, Senior Director, Human Resources CenterPoint Energy

Ms. Otchere will outline the development and advantages of “smart grid” technology, including “smart” electric and gas meters, and its application by CenterPoint Energy in our Houston area. She will also address necessary training requirements and employment opportunities available with CenterPoint Energy.

Workshops – Session Two Back to top
11:25 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

• HCC Energy Institute, Pecan Room

The Energy Institute provides cutting-edge fully-accredited workforce programs, which support the energy industry, to diverse populations of local workers. It offers entry-level and advance education and training opportunities in science and engineering related technologies for learners looking to enter the energy sector.  Furthermore, the institute provides advanced training and retraining options for those already employed in relevant industries.

The Energy Institute offers Associates in Applied Science degrees, Certificates and Dual Credit in: Petroleum Engineering Technology, Power Engineering Technology, Solar Energy Technology (PV & TH), Wind Energy Technology, Instrumentation & Controls Engineering Technology, Process Technology, Chemical Engineering Technology, Chemical Laboratory Technology, Polymer Technology, Biotechnology, Drafting and Design Technology and Electrical & Electronics Engineering Technology.

• Capabilities, Programs and Future Direction of the HCC Energy Institute

Presenter:                   Dr. John Galiotos, HCC-NE Science & Engineering Technology Division Chair, Energy Institute Director

Professor Galiotos will detail the education and training in the energy arena offered to students through the HCC Energy Institute, including a wide variety of workforce programs to facilitate entry into the Houston energy job market.

• Foundation Training in Technology: Preparing Ourselves for the Approaching Energy and Staffing Crises

Presenter:                  Dr. Dale Taggart, HCC Northeast Professor Chemical Laboratory
                                   Technology & Chemical Engineering Technology

Professor Taggart will speak to the tremendous need for well trained and highly qualified individuals in the biotechnology and bioengineering fields to fill available positions in the energy industry, and how students can prepare themselves to meet this demand.

• Renewable Energy and Conservation, Elm Room

Renewable energy is energy produced from a renewable resource, such as solar, wind, water, biomass and geothermal. Today, about 20% of the world’s energy is derived from renewable resources. Concerns related to climate change, high oil prices and dependence on foreign oil, along with increasing government support are steadily driving renewable energy legislation, incentives and development.

Wind energy is an attractive power source and alternative to fossil fuels because it is regionally plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean and produces no greenhouse gasses. Wind power is growing at the rate of about 30% annually, and is widely utilized in the U.S. and Europe.  About 80 nations worldwide use wind power commercially.

• Renewable Energy in the 21st Century

Presenter:                   Dr. Carolyn Rindosh Miller, HCC Northwest Professor of Geology

Professor Miller will address the present and future status of renewable energy, with emphasis on wind energy in the U.S. and current legislation and government support.

• Wind Energy: History, Current Status, Growth and Career Opportunities

Presenter:                   James Glennie, University of Houston, Director of Renewable Energy Research Cluster

Mr. Glennie will directly address the history, current state and potential growth opportunities in wind energy, as well as how to begin a rewarding career in the wind energy industry and contribute to our knowledge of this renewable energy resource.

• Fossil Fuels and Petroleum Geology, Live Oak Room

Fossil fuels include those non-renewable fuels formed through the decomposition of buried dead plants, animals, algae, protozoans and bacteria, and contain high percentages of carbon and hydrocarbons. They primarily include liquid petroleum, methane gas and coal. Worldwide, fossil fuels provide about 86% of our energy. The burning of fossil fuels, however, raises environmental concerns. As developing nations such as China and India continue to rely on fossil fuels more heavily each year, their power consumption of such fuels may prove to be unsustainable. New exploration and extraction technologies will play a critical role in extending the use of fossil fuels.

• Petroleum in the 21st Century

Presenter:                   Dr. Dwight Kranz, HCC Northwest Professor of Geology

Professor Kranz will address the current status and importance of our vital petroleum resources, their sustainability, and availability for the future. Career paths and educational requirements for future petroleum geologists will be identified as well.

• The Future of Energy: What’s on the Horizon and What it Means for You

Presenter:                  Thomas Potempa, Senior Staff Reservoir Engineer, Shell Upstream Americas

Mr. Potempa will speak about new and advanced technologies of fossil fuel recovery and extraction, the future of fossil fuels such as petroleum, and their impact on our lives.

• Houston Area Energy Opportunities, Red Oak Ballroom A

CenterPoint Energy is the nation’s third-largest combined electricity and gas utility, with over 8,600 employees. To address power quality disturbances such as outages and voltage fluctuations, CenterPoint has developed, in collaboration with IBM, “smart grid” technology which provides immediate on-demand data to improve grid planning, operations and maintenance. Part of the new technology involves the use of “smart” electric and gas meters, as well as a self-healing “intelligent grid”.

• Smart Jobs-Smart Electric Grid

Presenter:                  Alice Otchere, Senior Director, Human Resources CenterPoint Energy

Ms. Otchere will outline the development and advantages of “smart grid” technology, including “smart” electric and gas meters, and its application by CenterPoint Energy in our Houston area. She will also address necessary training requirements and employment opportunities available with CenterPoint Energy.

Workshops – Session Three Back to top
1:05 – 2:00 p.m.

• Engineering Careers in Energy,  Pecan Room

Engineers in the energy industry promote sustainable and clean energy usage. Electrical engineering is a branch of engineering which uses mathematics and technology to provide services related to electrical and electronic devices and systems. Career options open to electrical engineers include specializing in power systems and energy conversion, and the design of large electric power systems to provide energy to homes and industries.

• Electrical Engineering: Preparing for a Career in Energy Systems

Presenter:                  Mukul Shirvaikar, University of Texas at Tyler, Professor and Chair, EE Dept.

Dr. Shirvaikar will outline the education and training required to become an electrical engineer, various specialties within the field, importance of electrical engineers, and career opportunities. Electrical engineering’s role and impact on the energy industry will also be assessed.

• Engineer Careers at Energy Companies

Presenter:                  Pete Schrimpf, Director of Operations, Chevron Energy Solutions

Mr. Schrimpf will offer perspective on the variety of engineering careers available at companies like Chevron, and the role of engineering teams in terms of providing efficient, reliable and renewable energy services.

• Renewable Energy and Conservation, Elm Room

Renewable energy is energy produced from a renewable resource, such as solar, wind, water, biomass and geothermal. Today, about 20% of the world’s energy is derived from renewable resources. Concerns related to climate change, high oil prices and dependence on foreign oil, along with increasing government support are steadily driving renewable energy legislation, incentives and development.

Wind energy is an attractive power source and alternative to fossil fuels because it is regionally plentiful, renewable, widely distributed, clean and produces no greenhouse gasses. Wind power is growing at the rate of about 30% annually, and is widely utilized in the U.S. and Europe.  About 80 nations worldwide use wind power commercially.

• Renewable Energy in the 21st Century

Presenter:                   Dr. Carolyn Rindosh Miller, HCC Northwest Professor of Geology

Professor Miller will address the present and future status of renewable energy, with emphasis on wind energy in the U.S. and current legislation and government support.

• Wind Energy: History, Current Status, Growth and Career Opportunities

Presenter:                   James Glennie, University of Houston, Director of Renewable Energy Research Cluster

Mr. Glennie will directly address the history, current state and potential growth opportunities in wind energy, as well as how to begin a rewarding career in the wind energy industry and contribute to our knowledge of this renewable energy resource.

• Efficient Use of Energy Resources, Live Oak Room

Green energy technologies, including solar and wind, potentially have numerous efficient and productive applications, including those that can be adapted to the home. Policies that encourage the use of solar energy in the home have been successfully implemented in Europe for some time. Additionally, European nations have developed the technologies that support mass transit and encourage and embrace its use as a means to efficiently use available energy resources.

Meanwhile, NASA is researching and testing new and innovative ways of utilizing some of the same green energy resources available in the design of spacecraft power systems. These include solar for photovoltaic cells, batteries and fuel cells and nuclear sources.

• Alternate Energy and Mass Transit in Europe and Efficient Use of Solar Energy in the Home

Presenter:                  Bhavna Rawal, Instructor, Spring Branch ISD/Houston Community College

Professor Rawal will address the benefits and applications of advances in mass transit, such as rail, currently employed in Europe. She will also address how individuals and families can be more energy efficient in their everyday lives while at home and in the workplace, such as through the increased use of solar energy technologies.

• The Engineering of Green Energy

Presenter:                  John Scott, Branch Chief, Energy Conversion Branch, NASA/LBJ Space Center/EP3

Mr. Scott will communicate some of the efforts and innovations that NASA and JSC are involved with pertaining to green energy resources and their applications and use in spacecraft power systems present and future.

• Nuclear and High Energy, Red Oak Ballroom A

Nuclear power is a type of nuclear technology that involves the controlled use of nuclear fission to release energy to generate electricity. Nuclear power provides about 15% of electricity worldwide. In 2006, 78% of France’s electricity was generated from nuclear technology. High initial costs of 6 to 10 billion dollars are required to construct a nuclear power plant, and without government support, these costs are often prohibitively high.

Fusion power is power generated by nuclear fusion reactions, which fuse two atomic nuclei to form a heavier nucleus and in turn release massive amounts of energy. Fusion power provides more energy per unit weight of fuel than any other current technology. Some experts estimate that fusion could supply the world’s energy needs for millions of years.

• Science of Engineering: Future Careers in the Energy Arena

Presenter:                 Dr. Larry Pinsky, University of Houston, Physics Chair

Dr. Pinsky will touch on several definitions and interpretations of what the term “Energy” actually means, how energy may be applied in our everyday lives, and how students might wish to pursue a satisfying and rewarding career in an energy discipline. The role of physics in defining the essence of energy will be highlighted.

• Careers in the Nuclear Energy Renaissance

Presenter:                 Nathan Larson, Engineer, Westinghouse Electric Company

Mr. Larson’s timely address will focus on the rebirth and renewed interest in nuclear power, where the industry may be headed, and how to train for and enter this important energy field.