Watt's the Buzz? Inside the Thayer Energy Club

The Thayer School of Engineering's Energy Club offers dedicated students a unique opportunity to create learning experiences for themselves and their peers. Among its passionate members is Riley Roach, a Master of Energy Transition (MET) student whose commitment to expanding educational, networking, and professional development led her to a board position. With a background in Sustainable Technology, Riley's technical skills empowered her to take on a leadership role and broaden the club's offerings.

The Energy Club is a collaborative platform for students across disciplines, including undergraduates, graduates, and PhD candidates, united by a mission to raise awareness of emerging energy technologies and challenges. This year's board comprises three MET students and four PhD students from Thayer, working together to organize engaging events, such as speaker series and educational outings.

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Ajay Bawa, COO and Co-Founder of Thiozen, spoke with the Energy Club during the winter term.

In February, the club welcomed Ajay Bawa, COO and Co-Founder of Thiozen—an MIT spinout that converts an energy waste stream into hydrogen and sulfur products. Participants learned about the intricacies of industrial decarbonization and scaling deep-tech energy ventures. "The conversation centered on what it actually takes to move from breakthrough research to industrial deployment," Riley remarked. "Ajay spoke candidly about building in capital-intensive markets, managing technical and operational risks, raising venture funding, and navigating the complexities of decarbonizing heavy industry."

Riley emphasized a key takeaway from the session: "Industrial climate solutions demand more than strong engineering; they require systems thinking that aligns infrastructure, policy, finance, and execution over long time horizons."

The Energy Club also organized a tour of Dartmouth's cogeneration plant, offering insights into the campus's heating and cooling systems. Board member and fellow MET student Rebecca Foulkes stressed the tour's significance in demonstrating how Dartmouth generates both electricity and heat via steam. "The system reduces reliance on the local grid while prioritizing reliability during peak winter conditions," she explained.

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MET and Thayer students touring Dartmouth's cogeneration plant.

Rebecca added, "Dartmouth is in the midst of its own energy transition, currently upgrading piping and electrical duct infrastructure to convert from steam to hot water in preparation for a new ground-source energy system by 2050. The tour was an important reminder that energy transitions, even at a smaller scale, take time and significant investment."

Additionally, the club aims to engage participants in understanding energy systems through interactive activities. For example, they are exploring use of an online game called En-ROADS, which simulates energy production, transportation, distribution, and usage, to offer a fun way to learn about carbon and economic impacts.

Riley, joining an engineering-focused group, highlighted the value that MET students bring to the club. "The great thing about the MET is that you practice engineering, economics, and policy," she noted. "The MET students in the Energy Club contribute important dimensions to an engineering-heavy group. MET students help to broaden discussions around how to make technologies and systems viable and feasible."

As we wrapped up our conversation, I asked Riley about her aspirations in the energy sector and advice for incoming MET students. "Most of the world does not know about energy, even though it is the foundation of our economy and society," she said. "I'm excited to use what I'm learning to engage people with energy issues and create accessible forums. I want to figure out how to bring people to "Aha" moments. Marketing may be an interesting career path or public service. I'm eager to use my skills to demonstrate how fascinating and crucial energy issues are to broad audiences."

Riley's advice for new students is straightforward: "Don't be afraid to dive into extracurricular activities like the Thayer Energy Club. It may feel like a heavy workload, but it's worth it. You will grow your community, your resume, and your knowledge."

As the Thayer Energy Club continues to foster learning and collaboration, it will evolve with the interests and innovative spirit of its participants.