"Meeting the Renewable Energy Challenge" Series of Events

October 8, 2014October 16, 2014
7:00 PM
Various Dates, Times and Venues - see schedule of events

This symposium takes a broad look at the scientific challenges and policy issues surrounding renewable energy, with special reference to Iowa and the Midwest.  Should the government support a shift from nonrenewable to renewable sources of energy?  Will shifting toward renewables decrease the pace of climate change or make us more energy secure? What are the technical barriers to rapidly increasing our reliance on renewable energy?  What policy changes are necessary or desirable in order to promote renewable energy growth?  Topics covered will include infrastructure development (e.g. wind farms; transmission lines), biofuels, emerging environmental problems, and distributed energy policy.

 

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

October 8, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Shambaugh Auditorium, UI Main Library
Dirty Business: "Clean Coal" and the Battle for Our Energy Future 

A screening of the documentary, Dirty Business: "Clean Coal" and the Battle for Our Energy Future will be held at Shambaugh Auditorium of the UI Main Library as a kickoff to the following week's activities.

October 15, 2:00 - 5:00 pm, and 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Main Lounge, Iowa Memorial Union
Student Energy Expo and Free Public Debate

A Student Energy Expo (October 15), will offer opportunities for students to learn and share information about their own research related to renewable energy and related topics.  That evening, Mark Jacobson, Robert Bryce, and members of the UI Student Debate Team will debate the possibility of 100% renewable energy by 2030. (More details on 'Program' tab below)

October 16, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, and 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Main Lounge, Iowa Memorial Union
Meeting the Renewable Energy Challenge Symposium and Free Public Lecture

This symposium takes a broad look at the scientific challenges and policy issues surrounding renewable energy, with special reference to Iowa and the Midwest.  That evening, James Hansen will present a public lecture on global climate policies.  (More details on 'Program' tab below)

See full program details below, and please check back for more information as plans develop and speakers are confirmed.

Schedule

October 9, 2014

Dirty Business: "Clean Coal" and the Battle for Our Energy Future

In advance of the "Meeting the Renewable Energy Challenge" symposium, the Public Policy Center and the Center for Global & Regional Environmental Research will host a screening of the film, Dirty Business: "Clean Coal" and the Battle for Our Energy Future (see trailer below) on Wednesday, October 8, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Shambaugh Auditorium. A panel discussion will follow the film, moderated by Jeff Biggers.

In the digital age, half of our electricity still comes from coal. Dirty Business reveals the true social and environmental costs of coal power and tells the stories of innovators who are pointing the way to a renewable energy future.

Guided by Rolling Stone reporter Jeff Goodell, the film examines what it means to remain dependent on a 19th century technology that is the largest single source of greenhouse gases.

Can coal really be made clean? Can renewables be produced on a scale large enough to replace coal? The film seeks answers in a series of stories shot in China, Saskatchewan, Kansas, West Virginia, Nevada and New York.

The film features amongst others: Robert Kennedy Jr., Bill McKibben, Dr. James Hansen (who will present at the symposium and a lecture on October 16), Myron Ebell, Don Blankenship, Joe Lovett, Maria Gunnoe, Dr. Vaclav Smil and Dr. Julio Friedmann. 

 

 

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Leslie Gannon at (319) 335-6817 or leslie-gannon@uiowa.edu.

Moderator
Writer-in-Residence UI Office of Sustainability

October 15, 2014

Student Poster Session

As part of the “Meeting the Renewable Energy Challenge” symposium, we present an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to showcase their research related to renewable energy, climate change, or environmental policy or planning.  Any student from any department is invited to present. 

Abstracts must be submitted by October 1, 2014.  Please contact Leslie Gannon at (319) 335-6817 if you have questions.

* A $100 prize will be awarded in each of the following categories:  Best overall poster by an undergraduate student, best overall poster by a graduate or professional sudent, best poster design, best poster on a science topic, best poster on a liberal arts/humanities/social science topic.  Only one prize will be awarded per poster. *

Wednesday, October 15, 2014
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Main Lounge, Iowa Memorial Union (IMU), University of Iowa
*Judging begins at 3:30 p.m.  All participants must be present at this time.

Any currently enrolled student from a college or university in Iowa is eligible to present a poster.  Previously presented posters are still eligible for this session.

 

Student Energy Expo

The Student Energy Expo will include a organization fair, student poster session, additional showings of Dirty Business: "Clean Coal" and the Battle for Our Energy Future, and the EPSCoR Imagine Energy Traveler.

Attendees have the chance to win one of two Flexible Solar Panel & Charger kits (donated by Iowa NSF EPSCoR and the UI Office of Sustainability), which can charge smartphones, e-readers, tablets, and other USB powered devices.  Additionally, there will be an opportunity to win one of the many new SlimStyle 60W LED light bulbs, which are the same size as a traditional A19 light bulb, but with a new, sleek, flat design and estimated yearly energy cost of $1.26. 

October 16, 2014

Renewable Energy Debate

Mark Jacobson (Stanford University) and Robert Bryce (The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research), along with members of the University of Iowa Student Debate Team, will debate the resolution, Resolved: That the United States should adopt and implement a plan to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030, in an Oxford-style debate.

The debate can be viewed at the following link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL7d8BMotflM1ZnDjlDro0Av4O1QXP0H8J&v=2mAGp_vbfOM

Stanford University
The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
University of Iowa Debate Club
University of Iowa Debate Club
Coffee & Registration
Meeting the Renewable Energy Challenge Symposium

This symposium takes a broad look at the scientific challenges and policy issues surrounding renewable energy, with special reference to Iowa and the Midwest.  Should the government support a shift from nonrenewable to renewable sources of energy?  Will shifting toward renewables decrease the pace of climate change or make us more energy secure? What are the technical barriers to rapidly increasing our reliance on renewable energy?  What policy changes are necessary or desirable in order to promote renewable energy growth?  Topics covered will include infrastructure development (e.g. wind farms; transmission lines), biofuels, emerging environmental problems, and distributed energy policy.

The symposium will be streamed live at the following link:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/university-of-iowa

See the "Meeting the Renewable Energy Challenge" main page for the full agenda, related events and registration information.

Welcome Remarks
Director Public Policy Center
Executive Vice President and Provost University of Iowa
Morning Keynote
Stanford University
Panel 1: What is the Likely Future of Renewable Energy?
Vice President of Regulation MidAmerican Energy Company
American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
Butler University
University of Iowa Department of Political Science
Morning Break
Panel 2: Biofuels
Moderator
Iowa State University Department of Mechanical Engineering and Iowa NSF EPSCoR
Allen S. Henry Chair in Engineering
Professor Occupational and Environmental Health
Co-Director Center for Global and Regional Environmental Research; The University of Iowa
Renewable Energy Group
Iowa Renewable Fuels Association
Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University
Lunch (provided) and Keynote Presentation
The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
Panel 3: Infrastructure Challenges
Moderator
Professor and Director Department of Urban and Regional Planning University of Iowa
The Ohio State University
Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO)
Council on Environmental Quality Executive Office of the President
University of Iowa College of Engineering
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Keynote - Climate Change & Energy: A Global Perspective
Columbia University
Afternoon Break
Panel 4: Distributed Generation
Moderator
Assistant Professor Civil and Environmental Engineering Assistant Research Engineer IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering University of Iowa
Eagle Point Solar
UI Public Policy Center and Schools of Urban & Regional Planning and Civil & Environmental Engineering
Iowa Utilities Board
Alliant Energy

October 17, 2014

James Hansen Lecture - Speaking Truth to Power: Lessons from Iowa and Relevance to Global Climate Policies

Dr. James Hansen, formerly Director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, is Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, where he directs a program in Climate Science, Awareness and Solutions. Dr. Hansen is best known for his testimony on climate change in the 1980s that helped raise awareness of global warming. He is a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and has received numerous awards including the Sophie and Blue Planet Prizes. Dr. Hansen is recognized for speaking truth to power and for outlining actions needed to protect the future of young people and all species on the planet.

The lecture will be streamed live at the following link:  http://www.ustream.tv/channel/university-of-iowa

Columbia University
The Forkenbrock Series provides a forum for dialogue about policy areas from applied, academic, and interdisciplinary perspectives. The series was established in honor of David Forkenbrock, a nationally recognized transportation researcher. Dr. Forkenbrock established the Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa in 1987 and directed the Center until 2007. His vision was to enable public and private sector decision makers to work with faculty, staff, and student researchers to explore solutions to complex problems related to the public interest.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Dragana Petic at dragana-petic@uiowa.edu.