Bold ideas that solve the world’s energy needs.

Fellows Build Energy Ecosystem Maps

SPEAKERS:
Keynote: Rachel McCormick, Consul General of Canada in Dallas
Aaron Annable, Counsellor, Embassy of Canada, Washington, D.C.
Hamid Arastoopour, Director, Wanger Institute for Sustainability and Energy Research, Illinois Institute of Technology
Deborah Philbrick, Program Officer, Climate Solutions

The United Nations has identified the Midwest as a critical region to achieve decarbonization and set an example for other regions and nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In order to efficiently focus resources, energy ecosystem maps have been created to form a baseline throughout the Midwest and to build connections between sectors.

Eight maps of the largest cities in the Midwest resulted in a compilation of organizations engaged in energy. Teams then used the ecosystem maps to create plans for decarbonization in the Midwest. 

For many fellows, the final discussion about the possible impact of the maps was eye-opening, when considering how sectors and startups could be strengthened to target markets. The fellows also looked at gaps in social causes due to age, culture and segregation, particularly in cities such as Chicago.
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The ecosystem maps are extensive, but there is room for improvement. The fellows recommended highlighting the geographical distance between ventures and key locations such as universities to encourage more research and development for sustainable energy. Another suggestion was to include a list of key sectors that best match the identity of the area. Finally, the fellows called for more complete lists of entities that would help refine the analysis of regional gaps and opportunities to decarbonize.

Session summary by Juzel Lloyd and Gabriel Lobet

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