Clarkson Expands Professional Development with New Energy and Renewable Engineering Programme

Graduate and Undergraduate Students to Benefit from Industry-Led Energy Engineering Course

Clarkson University has introduced a new one-credit seminar course named Introduction to Energy and Utilities that will start during the spring 2026 term. Designed in consultation with top business executives in the energy field, the course will be offered through the Center for Electric Power Systems Research (CEPSR) and will be available to graduate students and upperclass undergraduates, as well as those outside of engineering programs. The seminar aims at exposing the students to both the commercial and technical aspects of energy and renewable energy engineering. It will identify some of the major issues such as power generation, transmission, distribution, building, and industry use. It will also investigate how the utilities are responding in order to provide services to new power customers such as data centers and cyber infrastructure.

Free to the public, the weekly lectures can be registered for through the university's standalone Introduction to Energy and Utilities webpage. Fram Akiki, President of Joun Technologies and alumnus of Clarkson, will lead and moderate the course. He has more than 35 years of industry experience in the semiconductor and information technology industries, including executive positions with IBM, Qualcomm, and Siemens. Guest speakers would include senior executives in the energy industry, including Hala Ballouz from Electric Power Engineers, Matt Barnett from National Grid New York, and Maria Pope from Portland General Electric. In addition, this session will provide students insight into issues related to innovations in energy engineering. The session also covers relevant topics such as grid modernisation, microgrids, electric vehicles and the development of clean energy technologies like fuel cells and green hydrogen.

Executives from the industry have emphasized that students need professional growth with some degree of real experience. According to Matt Barnnett, the perspective gained by students and professionals hearing directly from executives helps in understanding the problems which plague contemporary energy systems, especially in states such as New York. Hala Ballouz further mentions that the industry is changing at a very fast pace and it is important to excite the students to be part of energy innovation for sustaining progress in the future.

After the success of its “Introduction to Semiconductors” series, Clarkson University is adding a new seminar for its graduate students to provide them industry focused education.Establishing itself as an advanced technological engineering school, both its programs reflect university’s commitment to assist students services and academic programs. The university invited experts who will deliver lectures and discuss relevant market trends and concerns in the series. The program supports the university's overarching goal of enhancing students' professional development and is housed within Clarkson's Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering and Applied Science. Additionally, the program adds to Clarkson's graduate schedule of engineering leadership and energy technology courses.

Students have a rare opportunity to interact with top executives, investigate new technologies, and gain knowledge about the future of energy and renewable energy engineering through "Introduction to Energy and Utilities." Clarkson University is still committed to preparing students for meaningful careers in this crucial sector, which is essential to innovation and sustainability on a global scale.

Editor's Note

Clarkson University's new seminar, Introduction to Energy and Utilities, is a wise and well-timed addition to its academic schedule. By combining the best business leaders and veteran engineers, the university is providing students with a unique opportunity to learn first-hand from those who are defining the future of energy and renewable energy engineering. What sets this course apart is the combination of technical and business subjects. Students won't learn simply how power is produced and distributed—they'll also discover how the energy sector is evolving to fulfill new requirements, such as powering data centres and fueling digital infrastructure. This type of real-world knowledge is just what today's graduates require in order to thrive. The public accessibility of the lectures is another great step. It reinforces Clarkson's dedication to disseminating knowledge outside the classroom and creating greater connections between industry and education. With such speakers from large organizations as Siemens, National Grid, and Portland General Electric, the course is guaranteed to be filled with experience and innovative thought. It's also heartening to hear that Clarkson is continuing its emphasis on professional development. As with its previous seminar on semiconductors, this new program assists students from various backgrounds—those beyond engineering—and enables them to explore careers in energy and utilities. That level of adaptability is crucial in the rapidly evolving job market of today.

In essence, this seminar is more than an educational course—-it's an entry point for grasping the opportunities and challenges that face energy engineering. Clarkson University is again demonstrating that it has the ability to ready students for industries that count.

FAQs

1.What is Clarkson University’s Introduction to Energy and Utilities seminar about?

The seminar is a one-credit course designed to introduce students to both the technical and commercial aspects of energy and renewable energy engineering. Topics include power generation, transmission, distribution, smart grids, and emerging energy technologies.

2.Who can enrol in Clarkson University’s new energy seminar course?

The course is open to graduate students and upperclass undergraduates, including those outside engineering programmes. Weekly lectures are also free to the public via Clarkson’s dedicated registration page.

3.Which industry leaders are involved in Clarkson University’s energy seminar?

The course features guest speakers from top energy companies, including Hala Ballouz (Electric Power Engineers), Matt Barnett (National Grid New York), Maria Pope (Portland General Electric), and others with expertise in grid modernisation and energy innovation.

4.How does Clarkson University support professional development in energy engineering?

Through seminars like Introduction to Energy and Utilities, Clarkson offers students direct access to business leaders, real-world insights, and flexible learning pathways that align with evolving career prospects in energy and utilities.

5.What topics are covered in Clarkson’s energy and utilities seminar?

The course explores grid modernisation, artificial intelligence in energy infrastructure, digital energy security, smart grids, microgrids, electric vehicles, fuel cells, and green hydrogen—key areas in energy and renewable energy engineering.

6.Is Clarkson University a good choice for graduate degrees in energy technology?

Clarkson is recognised as a leading engineering university with strong industry ties and innovative graduate programmes in energy technology, engineering leadership, and applied science.

7.How can students benefit from industry-led seminars in energy engineering?

Students gain first-hand exposure to current challenges, emerging technologies, and business models shaping the energy sector, enhancing their academic experience and career readiness.

8.Does Clarkson University offer public access to its energy seminar lectures? 

Yes, the weekly lectures are free and open to the public. Interested participants can register through the university’s Introduction to Energy and Utilities webpage.