2024 Workshop

Energy Sovereignty Research Workshop

Convergent Clean Energy Research in Support of Sovereign and Prosperous Tribal Nations: An Invitational Workshop


Welcome to the Energy Sovereignty Research Workshop

This invitational workshop, made possible with the support of the National Science Foundation and the Public Interest Technology University Network Challenge (a program of the New Venture Fund), gathered approximately 30 stakeholders from academia, government, and the energy sector to craft an agenda for Convergent Clean Energy Research in Support of Sovereign and Prosperous Tribal Nations.  This agenda, as presented in the White Paper report, aims to:

–Foster collaboration between Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), non-Tribal research institutions, and other stakeholders.

–Understand Tribal opportunities, goals, and aspirations for energy development and sovereignty.

–Identify technical and non-technical barriers to clean energy development on Tribal lands.

–Develop socio-technical systems approaches for successful clean energy project implementation.

–Identify critical workforce training and education needs to support these goals.

The NSF grant will cover all working meals during the workshop. Limited participant support is available for airfare and hotel accommodations.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers:
Jacob Moore, Arizona State University, Vice President and Special Advisor to the President for American Indian Affairs

Elmer Guy, President, Navajo Technical University

The organizing committee looks forward to seeing you at the workshop in March:

  • Nathan Williams, Workshop Chair, Rochester Institute of Technology
  • David Breecker, Microgrid Systems Laboratory/Energy Sovereignty Institute
  • Henry Louie, Seattle University
  • Peter Romine, Navajo Technical University
  • Sandra Begay, Sandia National Laboratories
  • Stan Atcitty, Sandia National Laboratories

The Energy Sovereignty Research Workshop is a two-day, invitation-only event held March 12-13, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort on the territory of Santa Ana Pueblo in New Mexico. The workshop is funded by the National Science Foundation (#2346425) and the Public Interest Technology University Network. The workshop brings together a select 30 participants representing a variety of clean energy experts and stakeholders, including those from tribal and non-tribal governments, industry, research organizations, higher education, and students, with the goal of identifying a convergent, prioritized research agenda aimed at supporting clean energy transitions in Tribal Nations, and education and workforce training needs to achieve ambitious Tribal aspirations.

The workshop will advance knowledge of the critical research and workforce development needs that must be met to advance clean energy transitions in Tribal Nations in the United States. The workshop will make contributions in the following areas: A) documenting Tribal objectives in advancing clean energy projects and Indigenous viewpoints on the goals of Tribal energy sovereignty; B) identifying unique technical challenges to developing clean energy projects on Tribal lands and defining a research agenda to overcome these challenges; C) understanding non-technical (i.e., cultural, regulatory, economic) barriers to clean energy development on Tribal lands and defining an agenda for convergent research on socio-technical approaches to Tribal energy planning; D) identifying critical educational and workforce training needs that must be addressed to meet Tribal clean energy goals; and E) convening and fostering a diverse network of educators, researchers, and Tribal leaders and professionals to advance and champion this research and educational agenda.

This workshop will develop a research agenda to advance clean energy technology and project development in Tribal Nations in the United States. Indigenous communities experience some of the highest levels of energy poverty in the United States but also possess substantial renewable energy resources. The workshop will bring together research universities and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers with Tribal colleges and Primarily Undergraduate Institutions to seed collaborative opportunities for research that directly engages Indigenous students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The workshop will as well seek to identify strategies to engage Indigenous scholars in clean energy research and professional fields, and to foster effective collaboration between the research and practitioner communities.

Embark on a transformative journey towards sustainable energy futures at the Energy Sovereignty Research Workshop, an exclusive two-day gathering on March 12-13 at the picturesque Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort on the territory of Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. This invitation-only event, funded by the National Science Foundation (#2346425) and the Public Interest Technology University Network, unites a curated group of 30 participants, encompassing a diverse array of clean energy experts and stakeholders.  Engaging sessions with active participation from all attendees will ensure that all voices and perspectives will be heard as we consider technical, non-technical, and workforce issues. Come ready to listen, speak, and shape the future of clean energy research for tribal energy sovereignty!

*Program updated March 10, 2024

To better understand your background and interest in this workshop, we ask registered participants to please create a profile at the link above.

Contact

Dr.Nathan Williams
njwgis@rit.edu

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