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The Countdown to the 21st Columbia Energy Symposium Is On! | Newsletter 10/24/2025

Baptiste Saez - Friday, October 24, 2025
 Weekly Newsletters 

Hello Columbia Energy Enthusiasts, 

Yesterday, we wrapped up our Midtown Energy Trek, where 15 students explored New York’s energy ecosystem through visits to clean energy developers, the United Nations, and the New York Stock Exchange. This follows another successful Exploring Energy in NYC visit to Con Edison’s East River Generating Station, continuing our mission to connect students with the infrastructure and innovations powering the city.


As we look ahead, the 21st Annual Columbia Energy Symposium is just three weeks away, bringing global energy leaders to campus for a day of insight and exchange. Our flagship Symposium allows CEA to connect students not only to energy in NYC, but to the broader global energy landscape and most pressing topics. And with our Boston Energy Trek approaching, applications will soon open for another opportunity to explore energy beyond New York.

Continue reading this newsletter for upcoming events, an alumni spotlight, and an exclusive research opportunity to advance the energy transition in Hawaii—open only to the CEA community.


21st Annual Columbia Energy Symposium
Date: Friday, November 14th
Time: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Location: Pulitzer Hall, Columbia University

The Columbia Energy Symposium is the largest student-led energy conference in New York. This year’s theme, “Steering Through Turbulence: Aligning Governance, Technology, and Industry for the Energy Transition,” brings together global leaders, innovators, and students to explore how policy, markets, and technology are reshaping the future of energy.

Hear from executives, investors, and policymakers driving the transition — including leaders from GE Vernova, NYSERDA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and more!

Featured speakers include:
  • Doreen Harris, President & CEO, NYSERDA
  • Justin Driscoll, President & CEO, NYPA
  • Carl Coe, Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Energy
  • Erik Underwood, CEO & Co-Founder, Basis Climate
  • Helima Croft, Managing Director and Head of Global Commodity Strategy, RBC Capital Markets
What to Expect:
  • Panels & Fireside Chats with top industry voices
  • Exclusive Lunch Roundtables connecting students directly with energy professionals (selected by application)
  • Energy Career Fair featuring 10+ leading energy companies
  • Networking Reception with industry guests
Spots are limited, so secure your seat: Register here
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
2025 Cornell Energy Connection
Date: Friday, November 21st
Time: 10 AM
Location: Verizon Executive Education Center (Cornell Tech Campus, Roosevelt Island, NY, 10044)
Info: The conference brings together leaders across finance, technology, policy and sustainabilityto explore the innovations and investments shaping the energy sector. Attendees will hear directly from investors, founders and policy leaders, network with startups, corporates and firms actively hiring, connect with professionals across the sector, and learn about real opportunities and ideas driving the next wave of energy innovation.

 

This is a great opportunity for both undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in energy, finance, climate tech, or sustainability to engage directly with industry experts.

Early bird registration is now open: Register here

 
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: JINMING HE, MPA '22

While at SIPA, Jinming was a Board Member of the Columbia Energy Association, where he led the San Francisco Energy Trek in 2019. The trek brought together students for an immersive exploration of the Bay Area’s energy landscape through six company visits (including Lyft, BloombergNEF, and CPUC), culminating in an alumni happy hour that connected current students with SIPA energy alumni across the region.

Since graduating, Jinming has dedicated his career to helping businesses and communities cut energy costs and strengthen resilience through innovative energy storage systems (ESS). His company is helping construction businesses save up to 50% in energy costs with high-quality ESS solutions and empowering Hawaiian homeowners to gain independence from grid instability through portable storage.

Now, Jinming is inviting the CEA community to join him in shaping Hawaii’s clean energy future through an exciting research opportunity.

OPPORTUNITY: Hawaii RPS Affordability & Agrivoltaics Study

Background: The State of Hawaii is launching a research initiative to evaluate pathways for meeting its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals. The project focuses on affordability impacts, land use challenges, and the feasibility of Agrivoltaics, offering a chance to contribute to Hawaii’s energy future through rigorous, real-world analysis.


Qualifications: Applicants should have experience in energy policy and affordability impact analysis, with a track record of producing high-quality, professional research deliverables, such as land use assessments, economic models, or policy briefs, and be able to provide relevant project examples and strong references.

Sub-topics: 1) Assessment of Cost Drivers and Affordability Challenges for Achieving 70% Renewable Energy in Hawaii, 2) Assessment of Government Land for Renewable Energy Development in Hawaii, 3) Domestic and International Risks to Renewable Energy Development in Hawaii, 4) Feasibility of Agrivoltaics in Hawaii

Deadline to apply: Thursday, October 30th (early applications are encouraged)
Timeline: January-November 2026
Compensation & location: paid opportunity, can be done remotely
 
Interested? Send an email to heserisolar@gmail.com and sipaenergy@gmail.com with your CV (CV Title: HIRFP_School_Major_Year_Name_Phone), a short paragraph why you're interested/your qualifications.

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