Energy Science & Engineering in 2050

On May 29, 2025, the Stanford Energy Science & Engineering department hosted ESE in 2050, a one-day forum where thought leaders, students, alumni, and ESE faculty shared their visions of the future of energy science research and teaching.

The nearly 200-person event was organized into four major sessions, which painted a remarkably vivid picture of the hard realities and challenges we will face during the effort to achieve the full energy transition. Importantly, the event also highlighted the many opportunities to respond with powerful and creative solutions. Over 20 speakers from diverse backgrounds and with unique perspectives, cultivated through decades of their individual educational and industry experiences, provided insights into the areas the world will need to address in the next 25 years.

For decades, members of this department have been anticipating and raising awareness of these exact challenges, and the ESE community stands ever ready to meet the moment, just as the rest of the world gains greater appreciation for the cause.  Energy is at the center of all sustainability goals. This department intends to positively impact all areas of the transition through our robust curriculums, programs, and outreach. Our network of alumni and industry affiliations will allow us to have a worldwide impact that is real and scalable.  

Our mission has long included the goals of preparing the next generation of energy leaders, and we have successfully done this over the course of our long history, which began in 1914, and as was evidenced by former students who were not only in attendance but who also participated in panels and wider discussions.

Among the many exciting discussions were three keynote addresses with leaders from government, industry, and academia.

A panel of department alumni explored the difficulty in creating a net-zero energy system, and provided insights from their varying perspectives as educators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. The panel discussed efforts to reduce carbon emissions, increased demand for critical minerals, the role of geothermal and hydrogen, infrastructure, and ways to mitigate inequities within the transition.  The panel also highlighted the many ways they have utilized their skills, training, and the degrees they earned in the ESE department. The strengths gained while they were students in the department were not only technical but also included equally important “soft skills.” Rita Okoroafor gained a “broader picture” of energy for collaboration and Wen Song gained the confidence to tackle difficult problems at ESE. Both are now Assistant Professors at prestigious universities, where they continue to advocate for the values of the ESE department.  Through ESE’s interdisciplinary approach and its highly diverse community which includes students, faculty, and staff from all over the world, Nora Hennessey learned to communicate and collaborate across different fields, and cultures, skills that have been extremely helpful in her current role as a postdoctoral scholar. 

After lunch, a panel of ESE students explored the ways AI is reshaping energy research and education and the impact that the application of AI has already had on energy research at Stanford.  A lively, and at times, humorous discussion ensued with students telling stories of the interesting and surprising ways they and their peers have utilized AI to complete or enhance work or complex tasks. The lighter tone of this discussion was an accurate representation of the overall tone of the department, which is one that values community. Even as the hours passed, participants remained jovial, enthusiastic, and engaged in the discussions and other opportunities to learn from and to get to know one another.

The final panel of the day consisted of faculty, who provided their recommendations and dreams for the department. They answered the not so simple question, of “How do we tap into our engineering science DNA to develop the most impactful research and educate the next generation of energy-science leaders?” This was the question of the day – the reason we gathered everyone from everywhere, all at once, just like that bagel on the department’s latest t-shirt. The faculty took in all the feedback of the day and from their long careers as educators, researchers, and industry leaders, and presented their individual answers to this question. The outlook was positive. The conclusion seemed to be that despite the challenges, and the difficulties to come, faculty are confident that this department can collectively support and accelerate the energy transition.  Through the education and collaboration of our extensive network of educators, students, alumni and industry affiliates, there is no reason to doubt our ability to have a positive impact on the global energy field.  The vibe on the day of the event was one of excitement, confidence, and celebration. Celebration of who we have been in the energy field, who we are now, and who we will be as we continue to grow, evolve and address the issues that will determine the future of humanity.

ESE in 2050 was a resounding success and a great start to our next chapter.

A special thank you to the Stanford Doerr of Sustainability and Dean Arun Majumdar for their continued support and co-sponsorship of this event. And thank you to the planning committee, our speakers and panelists and everyone involved in helping to put this first-of-its kind event together.

Keynote Speakers