Sixth Annual Energy Week at Penn Set to Focus on AI and Climate Action on Campus

The University of Pennsylvania's sixth annual Energy Week will take place from Monday, Feb. 23 to Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Co-hosted by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy and the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology, the event will feature a series of workshops, panels, discussions, and tours focused on climate and energy solutions. This year's theme centers on the rising role of artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing demand for data centers, exploring their impact on the energy landscape.

 

Focus on Energy Transition and AI

 

Cornelia Colijn, Executive Director of the Kleinman Center, explained that this year’s Energy Week is designed to build on the momentum from previous years, with a special emphasis on the urgent need for an energy transition. “We have more faculty research on energy transition than ever before, and steadily increasing student interest,” she wrote in an email to The Daily Pennsylvanian.

The event's programming will cover a variety of topics relevant to current events, incorporating perspectives from multiple disciplines, including engineering, law, chemistry, anthropology, business, and the arts. This year, the week aims to address how emerging technologies like AI are shaping the future of energy, alongside discussions on sustainability and climate action.

 

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Events Highlighting Research and Sustainability

 

Energy Week will feature numerous events that showcase both academic research and practical applications. One notable event is a screening of King Coal on Tuesday, followed by a "Science Café" session that will delve into the critical role of minerals in the energy transition. Experts Karen Goldberg and Eric Schelter will discuss the intersection of critical minerals and energy sustainability.

On Wednesday, Heather Boushey, former Chief Economist to President Joe Biden and a professor at the Kleinman Center, will lead a seminar on the economics of climate change and the factors influencing U.S. energy decisions. This session will explore how economic principles can guide energy policy, helping attendees understand the broader economic implications of the energy transition.

 

Campus Tours and Sustainability Innovations

 

A highlight of the week will be Thursday's tour of the new Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology, a platinum LEED-certified facility showcasing energy-efficient systems used in modern Penn buildings. This will offer students an up-close look at sustainable campus infrastructure and energy-saving technologies.

To wrap up the week, Friday will feature a tour of Penn's energy and climate collections at the Penn Museum, a panel discussion on Pennsylvania’s worker-centered clean energy transition, and an open studio session at the Fisher Fine Arts Library.

 

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A Broad Audience and Community Engagement

 

Nadine Gruhn, Managing Director of the Vagelos Institute, emphasized that Energy Week is designed for a broad audience, from students deeply involved in energy research to those with a general interest in climate action. She believes the event offers an opportunity to connect Penn’s academic work with real-world sustainability efforts. “It gives us an opportunity to take a broader view of everything that the Penn community is doing related to the energy transition,” Gruhn said.

Colijn highlighted the addition of film studies and hands-on workshops as part of the growing focus on making energy solutions more accessible. This shift allows students and participants to engage with both the technical and social dimensions of energy issues.

Despite winter weather causing some delays and cancellations on Monday, Gruhn expressed optimism that students would leave Energy Week with a deeper understanding of how energy solutions can foster a more sustainable world. "If you look at the news, so much of what’s going on in geopolitics has some connection to energy – whether that’s rare earth elements, petroleum reserves, or policy changes around the world,” Gruhn said. “I think it will help people see that Penn is trying to contribute to solutions.”

Energy Week 2026 presents a unique opportunity for the Penn community to engage with the ongoing discussions about climate action, AI, and sustainability, with events designed to inspire future generations of innovators and leaders in the energy sector.