Energy Seminar (Fall 2009)

Heidi Cullen discusses the current shifting state of the U.S. media landscape in relation to the issue of climate change, and emphasizes possible pathways for improving public understanding of environmental and climate science. (December 2, 2009)

John Benner discusses innovations in low-cost solar energy technologies and the feasibility of implementing solar energy on a large scale, including the role of investment and government policy. (November 18, 2009)

Michael McGehee, Director of Advanced Molecular Photovoltaics at Stanford, discusses the evolving technologies in photovoltaic systems including resource scarcity, efficiency, and cost. (November 11, 2009)

Lyndon Rive discusses the business model and future prospects of his rapidly growing company, SolarCity, which concentrates on installing affordable photovoltaic systems for residential customers using a unique financing model. (November 4, 2009)

Annie Hazlehurst discusses the current state and future of the solar photovoltaic industry from an economic and business perspective. (October 28, 2009)

A panel discussion featuring experts in the field of energy and energy research of the Stanford community, in conjunction with the Woods Energy Seminars, addresses potential solutions in attempting to create a sustainable energy system.(October 14, 2009)

Michael Ramage and James Sweeney discuss research on creating liquid fuel from biomass with little to no carbon emissions by 2020, the need to find biomass for conversion that won't interfere with food production. (September 30, 2009)

Adam Brandt discusses the results of a model-based comparison of the economic and systemic impacts of greenhouse gas emissions from various non-petroleum energy sources. (September 23, 2009)