Georgia Tech Energy Day
March 19, 2026
Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center
Georgia Tech Energy Day brings together thought-leaders from academia, industry, and government to accelerate energy innovations through advancements in materials, systems, technologies, and policy. The event provides an opportunity for key stakeholders to interact with Georgia Tech researchers who are pioneering work in this critical field.
Registration Open
Fee:
$75 for external participants
$25 for Georgia Tech employees/internal affiliates
Students please use this link to register.
Register now to reserve your spot!
THEME: ENERGY FOR AI
The theme of this year’s event, Energy for AI, addresses one of the most pressing challenges of our time: how to meet the rapidly growing electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. As AI technologies scale and data centers proliferate, the energy sector must evolve to support this transformation sustainably and efficiently. The morning keynote and panels will discuss the projected surge of energy and resources demand and cross-cutting policy, technology, and market factors. The afternoon technical tracks on power generation, data center infrastructure and resources, and grid-level electricity systems will explore how researchers, funders and industry can work toward smarter solutions for the evolving landscape. The afternoon poster session and reception will showcase the talented students at Georgia Tech who are actively innovating in these areas.
Keynote Speaker
Vanessa Chan
Vanessa Z. Chan is an entrepreneur, angel investor, and educator celebrated for her leadership in technology commercialization. She currently serves as Vice Dean of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Penn Engineering and holds the Jonathan & Linda Brassington Professorship of Practice. In 2021, President Biden appointed her Chief Commercialization Officer at the U.S. Department of Energy, where she advanced clean energy adoption through initiatives like Pathways to Commercial Liftoff and introduced the widely adopted Adoption Readiness Levels framework. Her impact earned her a place on TIME100 Climate’s list of the world’s most influential business leaders in 2024. Previously, Vanessa was a partner at McKinsey & Company, founded re.design—a consumer products company featured on QVC—and advised major corporations on innovation strategy. She holds a Ph.D. from MIT and a B.S.E. from the University of Pennsylvania in Materials Science & Engineering.
Agenda
Time | Activity |
| 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. | Registration and Breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. | Welcome to Georgia Tech |
| 9:15 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. | Fireside Chat with GE Vernova |
| 9:45 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Keynote Address |
| 10:30 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. | Panel | America’s Energy Future: Policy Perspectives on Rapid Growth, Geopolitics, and Sustainable Energy Systems |
| 11:15 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Break |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | Panel | Beyond Scarcity: Building Resilient Critical Materials Supply Chains for Energy Systems |
| 12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Afternoon Technical TracksThemes: Meeting the Demand for Power, Data Center Infrastructure and Resources, Grid Technologies and Markets |
| 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. | Poster Session & Reception |
Afternoon Tracks
Meeting the Demand for Power
Meeting the growing demand for power requires navigating both challenges and opportunities across the energy landscape. Emerging technologies offer innovative solutions but face hurdles in scalability, cost, and regulatory frameworks. In parallel, nuclear technology is evolving beyond traditional reactors, with advanced designs and fuel cycles promising greater efficiency and safety. At the same time, integrating renewables into the grid introduces complexity in balancing intermittent generation with reliability, calling for smarter infrastructure and storage solutions. This track will explore how these dynamics shape a future where diverse energy sources work together to deliver sustainable, resilient power.
Data Center Infrastructure and Resources
Data Center Infrastructure and Resources play a critical role in shaping the future of computing and energy efficiency. This track will feature discussions on advanced thermal management technologies across multiple length scales, and how Georgia Tech’s computing infrastructure creates opportunities for innovation in energy efficiency. Speakers will also explore the broader resource impacts of data centers—including water, energy, and land use—highlighting strategies to balance performance with sustainability.
Grid Technologies and Markets
Grid Technologies and Markets are at the heart of enabling reliable, sustainable power in an increasingly digital world. This track will examine how data centers impact grid stability and resource planning, explore strategies for expanding capacity through grid-enhancing technologies, and highlight the emerging role of demand-side management in balancing supply and demand. Additionally, speakers will discuss approaches to modeling and optimizing carbon emissions from data centers, offering insights into how technology and market solutions can work together to drive efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Poster Session
Students attending Energy Day are encouraged to participate in a poster session from 4.30 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center. Interested students should use the student registration form (button below) and select the poster session option. Students approved to participate in the poster session should plan to be with their poster the entire time.
Prizes: First Place - $1000 | Finalists (two) - $500 each
Each poster shall be a single rigid poster board 48 inches wide by 36 inches tall. All poster presenters must print and bring their own poster. Only display easels will be provided by the symposium organizers. Check out this page for more information including poster guidelines.
Thanks to our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Interested in Partnering with Us?
Contact Crystal Leach to explore how your organization can engage with us.
Hotels
The venue of the event, Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center is located in the heart of Atlanta’s Technology Square at 800 Spring St. NW Atlanta, GA 30308. Click the button below to make reservations, get directions and find information on the nearby attractions including restaurants and activities. In addition, Georgia Tech has partnered with a variety of nearby hotels to provide discounted rates to our visitors. View our hotel list and pricing on our Campus Travel page.
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