Solar panels with solar storage units behind them, set against a sunrise sky

Hawkeye Decarbonization Summit 2022

April 21, 2022April 22, 2022
10:30 AM
4/22 - Old Capitol Museum

The Hawkeye Decarbonization Summit was a two-day workshop that brought together Decarb2040 partners, the University of Iowa community of researchers, staff and students interested in decarbonization, practitioners, and funding agency representatives to explore the path forward.

The event was presented both in-person and virtually and required registration.

 

Schedule

April 21, 2022

Welcome and Opening Remarks by the Vice President for Research
Vice President for Research University of Iowa College of Engineering
SESSION ONE - The Solarization of Iowa

Panelists will explore Iowa’s small but fast growing area of solar PV renewable energy. Representing a cross section of stakeholders in solar energy, each panelist will share their real world experiences at this exciting segment of renewable energy, with a focus on policy needs and convergent research needed for improved adoption.  

Moderator
Senior Research Fellow Social and Education Policy Research Program
Associate Professor School of Planning and Public Affairs
Founder and CEO Ideal Energy
Energy and Climate Policy Specialist Iowa Environmental Council
Owner and Manager Jack's Solar Garden
Graduate Student University of Iowa School of Planning and Public Affairs
Senior Director of Research Solar Energy Industries Association
Graduate Student University of Iowa School of Planning and Public Affairs
Lunch and Awards Presentation

Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. The recipients of the inaugural Hawkeye Decarbonization Awards will be awarded. These will be given to local governments in Iowa making exemplary contributions to decarbonization, to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and to energy independence.  

SESSION TWO - How Can Decarbonization Lead to Stronger Rural Communities?

Rural communities and Iowa agricultural producers have major challenges and opportunities from climate change and from policy responses to deal with climate change, such as soil carbon sequestration, and initiatives for low-carbon ethanol, low-carbon ammonia, and other environmental and ecosystem services from climate-smart and regenerative agriculture. A critical issue as agricultural producers improve their practices in response to market demands is verification. Our Decarb2040 panel will share opportunities, emerging techniques, and key challenges in this space.

Moderator
Associate Professor University of Iowa Department of Geographical and Sustainability Sciences
Executive Director Ecosystem Services Market Consortium
Associate Professor and Extension Economist Iowa State University Department of Economics
Associate Professor Iowa State University Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
Assistant Professor Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management Global Resource Systems Program, Iowa State University Department of Horticulture
Associate Faculty Coordinator EARTH Program - Iowa State University
Executive Director Clean Energy Districts of Iowa
Social Hour and Organization Information Tables

Participants are invited to mingle over refreshments, and visit informational tables. GPSG Sustainability Committee , our Decarb2040 Partners, the Office of Sustainability, and the UISG Sustainability Committee will host information tables in the same room (IMU 2nd floor ballroom) as the speaker sessions. 

SESSION THREE - Keynote Speaker, Saul Griffith

Saul Griffith, Inventor, Entrepreneur, Founder and Chief Scientist of Otherlab and Rewiring America, author of Electrify: An Optimist’s Playbook for Our Clean Energy Future 

Dr. Griffith’s presentation will be virtual. 

Keynote
Founder and Chief Scientist Otherlab
Moderator
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, Research, and Faculty University of Iowa College of Engineering

April 22, 2022

SESSION FOUR - Decarbonizing Difficult Sectors of the Midwest Economy

Heating of homes, schools, offices, and commercial properties in cold climates such as Iowa is a substantial decarbonization challenge. Dominated by natural gas and propane, each of the decarbonization pathways (e.g., electrification, biomethane, etc.) faces obstacles. We examine these obstacles and the convergent research required to overcome them.

Moderator
Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering University of Iowa College of Engineering
Research Engineer IIHR Hydroscience and Engineering
Senior Business Developer Engie, Green H2 Division
General Manager-West BlocPower Strategic Initiatives
Director University of Iowa Utilities
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Iowa State University Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology
SESSION FIVE - Financing Decarbonization Research and Development

Featuring federal and state funding program managers, a discussion of what future research is needed to enable decarbonization, energy transition, and energy independence.

Professor Emeritus of Religion Luther College
CEO The Global Methane Hub
Program Manager Iowa Economic Development Authority
Moderator
Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, Research, and Faculty University of Iowa College of Engineering
Program Director National Science Foundation
Closing Remarks
President University of Iowa

Media

Welcome and Opening Remarks by the Vice President for Research

SESSION ONE - The Solarization of Iowa

SESSION TWO - How Can Decarbonization Lead to Stronger Rural Communities?

SESSION THREE - Keynote Speaker, Saul Griffith

SESSION FOUR - Decarbonizing Difficult Sectors of the Midwest Economy

SESSION FIVE - Financing Decarbonization Research and Development

Closing Remarks

Partners

  • Decarb2040 Research Initiative
  • Iowa Economic Development Authority
  • University of Iowa Energy Collaborative
  • Moxie Solar
  • Practical Farmers of Iowa
  • Iowa Farmer's Union, Linn County
  • City of Dubuque
  • City of Bloomfield
  • Iowa Initiative for Sustainable Communities
  • University of Iowa Office of Sustainability and Environment
  • University of Iowa Office of the Vice President for Research
  • University of Iowa College of Engineering
  • American Planning Association Iowa Chapter
The Forkenbrock Series provides a forum for dialogue about policy areas from applied, academic, and interdisciplinary perspectives. The series was established in honor of David Forkenbrock, a nationally recognized transportation researcher. Dr. Forkenbrock established the Public Policy Center at the University of Iowa in 1987 and directed the Center until 2007. His vision was to enable public and private sector decision makers to work with faculty, staff, and student researchers to explore solutions to complex problems related to the public interest.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact Dragana Petic at dragana-petic@uiowa.edu.