
Energy Academy
The PowerHouse Texas Energy Academy is an exclusive educational program designed to equip legislative staff with comprehensive knowledge on the energy policy development process while also discussing cutting-edge energy technologies across Texas’ energy landscape.
This 12-week program was developed in collaboration with the PowerHouse Texas Energy Policy Advisory Council, comprised of top-tier academic experts from the leading energy institutes and universities across Texas, alongside esteemed industry professionals. Each week discusses a different energy resource in Texas, its impact on the economy, and good policy formulation practices.
Chiefs of Staff, Legislative Directors and Energy Policy staffers receive first-hand access to this invaluable resource.
However, any legislative staff member with a keen interest in energy-related matters is welcome to participate, subject to availability.
Legislative staff who are interested in shaping the future of energy policy and who want to stay informed about the latest advancements in the ever-evolving energy technology landscape are strongly encouraged to join the Energy Academy.
For more information or to enroll in the 2025 Fall Energy Academy, please contact us to learn more.
Through this immersive program, participants delve into a wide array of topics, including:
The intricate workings of the electric grid
Energy efficiency strategies & best practices
Battery storage solutions & advancements
Nuclear energy technology & safety
Carbon capture & storage (CCS) techniques
Hydrogen as an emerging energy source
Geothermal energy exploration & utilization
Wind power generation & distribution
The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) & their impact
2024 Energy Academy Photos
Energy Academy Highlight Video
Energy Academy: Past Courses
The Future of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage
Dr. Tip Meckel, UT Austin
Nichole Saunders, EDF
Scott Castleman, Houston CC&S Alliance
Team Formation
Attendees will be placed into teams in order to encourage collaboration with new colleagues as they work together on a legislative proposal.
Air Pollution and Reducing Emissions
Dr. Dan Cohan, Rice University
Dr. Arvind Ravikumar, UT Austin
Adrian Shelley, Public Citizen
Renewable Energy Innovations
Dr. Suhas Pol, Texas Tech
Mark Stover, Texas Solar Power Association
Electric Vehicles, Charging, and Sustainable Transportation
Dr. Erick Jones. Jr., UT Arlington
Clay Pope, Pope Strategies
Safe and Sustainable Baseload Nuclear Energy
Dr. Rusty Towell, Abilene Christian University
Reed Clay, Crestline Solutions
Electric Grid, Transmission, and Grid Resiliency
Dr. Joshua Rhodes, UT Austin
Dr. Abdul Djire, Texas A&M
Kory Curtis, Association of Electric Companies of Texas
Water-Energy Nexus
Dr. Margaret Cook, Houston Advanced Research Center
Mai Corbitt, Texans for Clean Water
Microgrids and Distributed Energy Resources
Arushi Sharma Frank, Luminary Strategies
Joel Yu, Enchanted Rock
Geothermal Energy
Dr. Ken Wisian, UT Austin
Drew Nelson, Project Innerspace
Jade Gillespie, Conservative Texans for Energy Innovation
Energy Efficiency, Heat Pumps, and Weatherization
Dr. Bobuchi Ken-Opurum, Building Electrification Institute
Todd McAlister, SPEER
Hydrogen Energy
Dr. Emily Beagle, UT Austin
Craig Chick, Capitol Partners Consulting