Description:

ABOUT

The U.S. military is the single largest consumer of energy resources in the world. Military service members have a firsthand experience with the importance of sustainable operational energy and the impact of our energy dependence on military strategy. As they enter the civilian world, many veterans rely on this base of experience and self-teaching to make decisions regarding future employment.

Veterans comprise approximately 10% of all U.S. energy jobs and possess a rare set of highly technical skills that can be put to use towards achieving a secure energy future. While there are numerous programs available for workforce training and job placement in the energy industry, there are very few educational opportunities which align a veteran's unique experience into mission-driven service for a stronger energy security future. The Veteran’s Energy Seminar fills this education gap to supplement the self-teaching that takes place after a service member leaves the military.

The Veteran's Energy Seminar is designed to inspire veterans to use their technical skills and knowledge to continue service to the country after they leave the military and positively impact our national and energy security. The program is based on training for Foreign Service Officers by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources and received an honorable mention at the 2016 Take Point Initiative nonprofit competition with the Atlantic Council of the US.

PROGRAM

Agenda Subject to Change (All times in Central)
8:30 am

Participants Arrive
Coffee and continental breakfast provided

8:45 am

Welcome and Introduction
9:00 am

Global Energy Challenges
Keynote lecture on global energy challenges including, but not limited to: climate change as a national security threat; cyber and physical infrastructure vulnerabilities; US government priorities and diplomacy; military preparedness, strategy, and operational energy analysis

10:00 am

Oil, Gas, Coal, and Nuclear
Lecture on domestic and international trends in oil, gas, coal and nuclear industries: impacts on energy dependence and international market; environmental, economic, political, and regulatory considerations.

11:00 am

Break
11:30 am

Grid, Electricity, Resilience and Security
Discussion on US electric grid functionality, limitations, vulnerabilities; adaption needed for advanced energy systems; international trends in adopting advanced energy and grid upgrades; cyber and physical threats, attacks, and weather related resilience efforts.

12:30 pm

Lunch (Provided)
1:30 pm

Renewable Energy, Sustainability, Efficiency, and Technology
Lecture on renewable energy industry trends; overview of domestic and international adoption of wind, solar, hydro, off-shore; sustainability and efficiency principles; technology gaps and investment needs; overview of economic soft power benefits of R&D; R&D investment trends and key research areas.

2:30 pm

Break
3:00 pm

Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Military to Energy Transition: Panels and lectures on lessons learned and resources available from other veterans and professionals working in the energy industry, energy policy, and energy entrepreneurs

Energy in Practice: Panels and lectures on active programs and projects from area experts in the industry, government, and academics

5:00 pm

Strengthening Our Energy Security Future
Closing remarks or panel on the military influence and veteran’s role in adopting advanced energy solutions to diversify the U.S. economy, increase resilience & reliability, and mitigate the global impacts of climate change

5:30 pm

Reception (Off-site Location)