February’s energy supply interruptions in Texas and other parts of the southeastern U.S. have highlighted the need for resilient design of energy systems, and the various pieces that make up the energy supply and delivery infrastructure in the nation. How are energy systems currently designed to withstand rare but highly impactful events? What kinds of design decisions are made in places like Texas versus the northern parts of the U.S.? How is resilience to extreme weather events currently engineered into our energy systems, and where will we need to do better in the future?

A panel of energy experts from Penn State and industry will discuss how energy systems are currently designed to be resilient to extreme weather events, and how they may need to be designed in the future. The panel discussion, which is free and open to the public, will be broadcast at 2 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 12 via Zoom. Registration for Zoom webinar.

The event will be moderated by Sanjay Srinivasan, John and Willie Leone Professor of Energy and Mineral Engineering and head of the John and Willie Leone Family Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering (EME) and Andy Kleit, professor of energy economics in EME.

Panelists include:

• Seth Blumsack, professor of energy policy and economics and international affairs and director of the Center for Energy Law and Policy, EME
• Nicole Reed Fry, associate director of energy, sustainability and infrastructure, Guidehouse Consulting
• Chen-Hao Tsai, senior policy studies planner, Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
• Clark White, executive vice president for engineering and operations, Targa Energy

This panel discussion is part of the series “Energy Resilience in a Time of Change - Lessons from the Texas Energy Crisis.” The series features experts from Penn State and industry practitioners in discussions focused on the factors contributing to energy interruptions in Texas and how this event changes our thinking about planning for extreme weather, especially as the United States goes through a major energy transition.