Powering up for a pivotal moment

The MIT Energy Initiative held its annual research conference, Energizing@MIT, on Sept. 22-23 under the theme of transitioning energy at a pivotal moment, drawing more than 200 in-person and online attendees, MIT News reports. Paula Hammond, dean of MIT's School of Engineering, opened by arguing that the surge in AI and data centers makes the transition harder and calls for work spanning materials science, engineering, economics and sociology.

Sessions covered near-term deployment and early science. A nuclear panel highlighted the planned mid-2027 restart of Three Mile Island Unit 1 by Crane Clean Energy Center, Électricité de France's work on its 57-reactor fleet, and a GE Vernova plant being built in Ontario. Breakthrough Energy's Eric Toone pointed to funded ventures such as iron-air batteries, while MIT researchers discussed uses for captured carbon, including structural materials and energy-storing concrete. Danna Freedman, who directs MIT's quantum initiative, said the hard problem is linking quantum tools to real applications.

Data centers ran through both days. MITEI's Deepjyoti Deka said AI's test is whether it can deliver efficiency and innovation faster than it consumes electricity. Steve Clemmer of the Union of Concerned Scientists warned that new hyperscale sites can out-consume entire cities, pushing up wholesale power costs and causing major health and climate damages unless safeguards are adopted. Kathryn Kline Tyndall of the Bipartisan Policy Center urged early, community-specific disclosure of impacts, and MIT's Larry Susskind proposed negotiated community benefits agreements, telling developers they must move at "the speed of trust."