UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The United States produces enough electricity through wind energy to power nearly 16 million homes annually and generates more wind power than any other country except China, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. 

The renewable energy’s far-reaching impact and potential will be discussed during the next installment of WPSU’s “Conversations LIVE.” The 60-minute show will air at 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, on WPSU-TV and WPSU-FM, as well as WQLN-TV in Erie and online at wpsu.org.

“Conversations LIVE” is an interactive program that takes viewers’ phone calls, emails and questions via Twitter during the broadcast. Viewers can join the discussion by calling 800-543-8242, emailing connect@wpsu.org or tweeting @WPSU.

Susan Stewart, research associate in the aerospace engineering and architectural engineering departments, and Tamara Gagnolet, energy program and geographical information science manager at The Nature Conservancy’s Pennsylvania office, will join WPSU-TV’s Patty Satalia for the broadcast.

Stewart’s research focuses on renewable energy technology and implementation (resources, hybrid designs, policies and society) as well as thermal fluid system design optimization for improved energy system performance. Stewart, who earned her bachelor’s degree at Penn State, received her master’s and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech in 2001 and 2003, respectively.

A member of The Nature Conservancy’s energy and climate team for nearly a decade, Gagnolet served on the research team that developed the Pennsylvania Energy Impacts Assessment, which offered a comprehensive look at the current and projected cumulative impacts of energy development on the state’s forests and freshwater resources. Gagnolet currently works as a team member for a similar analysis of energy impacts across the central Appalachians.

For more information and to watch archived episodes of “Conversations LIVE,” visit wpsu.org/conversationslive.