On June 13, 2024, the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) hosted its 8th annual Energizing North Dakota’s Future event. This day-long symposium brought together industry leaders and researchers to discuss the future of energy in North Dakota and beyond.
The event kicked off with a welcome from the EERC’s CEO, Charles Gorecki. Gorecki highlighted the EERC’s Strategic Initiatives, which focus on innovative research and development to ensure energy resources remain accessible, affordable, and environmentally responsible.
- Conduct Exploratory Research: Reinforcing the EERC’s position as a pioneer in energy and environmental research, ensuring North Dakota’s energy resources remain sustainable.
- Find Enhanced Energy Opportunities: Leveraging expertise in alternative and renewable fuels, with a special focus on hydrogen’s role in reducing carbon intensity.
- Create a Materials Market and Domestic Supply Chain: Building on coal utilization expertise to focus on critical materials, advanced infrastructure materials, and energy materials.
- Prioritize National Security: Establishing a relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense to evaluate a North Dakota-based supply chain for critical materials and advancing fuel cell technology for tactical vehicles.
A key highlight was a panel discussion on the Heartland Hydrogen Hub (HH2H). The panel included representatives from the EERC, TC Energy, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, and Xcel Energy. Chad Wocken, the EERC’s Assistant Director for Hydrogen Technology, emphasized the long-standing presence of hydrogen technology and the need to transition from industrial feedstock to fuel, eliminating emissions along the way. The HH2H project is poised to transform the energy landscape with significant investments in education, community engagement, and workforce development.
Another pivotal discussion was the Powering Progress panel featuring Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Montana–Dakota Utilities Company, and Rainbow Energy Center. The panelists discussed their efforts to reduce emissions while maintaining power demands amidst new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations. The panelists highlighted the challenges and opportunities in meeting these new standards, emphasizing the need for substantial investment, technological advancement, and innovative solutions to meet increasing energy demands.
During the event, EERC staff showcased cutting-edge research and technological advancements during the following talks:
- Jim Sorensen, Director of Subsurface Research and Development, spoke on enhanced oil recovery and the potential for low carbon intensity oil production using captured carbon dioxide. Watch Video
- Jason Laumb, Director of Advanced Energy Initiatives, highlighted the importance of identifying domestic sources of critical materials essential for modern technologies and national security. Watch Video
- Director of Subsurface Characterization and Community Engagement Beth Kurz explained the feasibility of developing caverns in North Dakota’s salt formations for natural gas liquids storage, crucial for the oil and gas industry. Watch Video
- Director of Energy Systems Development Josh Stanislowski detailed the progress in carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies supported by two decades of EERC research. Watch Video
The event concluded with a message from University of North Dakota (UND) President Dr. Andrew Armacost, who spoke about the University’s Strategic Initiatives encapsulated in the UND LEADS plan. The plan’s five pillars—Learning, Equity, Affinity, Discovery, and Service—underscore UND’s commitment to research, discovery, and societal benefit . Dr. Armacost emphasized the Discovery pillar, which aligns with the EERC’s mission to address energy security and environmental sustainability, fostering cross-disciplinary teams dedicated to solving pressing challenges.
Energizing North Dakota 2024 showcased the collaborative spirit and innovative drive of the EERC, industry partners, and the state of North Dakota. By advancing strategic initiatives and cutting-edge research, the EERC continues to play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable energy future for North Dakota and beyond.