Geothermal, AI, & Networking
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Attending CERAWeek was a very motivating and meaningful experience for me, especially given my strong interest in renewable energy. I focused on attending several geothermal-related sessions at the Geothermal House and at some of the Pods, where discussions ranged from emerging technologies to key challenges like scaling and financing. One idea that came up repeatedly was the opportunity to reuse existing natural gas infrastructure and technology for geothermal development. I found this especially compelling because it offers a practical path to accelerate growth by building on systems that are already in place.
Another takeaway that stood out to me was the long-term potential of geothermal energy. Several speakers highlighted their vision that geothermal could grow from less than 1% of the current energy mix to as much as 10–20% in the near future. Hearing this made the field feel full of opportunity and reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in this space. It was encouraging to see both the level of innovation and the momentum behind geothermal as part of the broader energy transition.
In addition to geothermal sessions, I also attended a talk related to my background in transportation on the use of AI in federal policymaking. The session discussed how the Department of Transportation has been an early adopter of AI and is working to integrate it across different departments. This shifted my perspective on innovation in government and showed me that even relatively more traditional sectors can be more dynamic and forward-thinking than I expected.
Beyond the sessions, one of the most valuable parts of the experience was meeting people. Early in the week, I attended the Dartmouth dinner where I spoke with students, professors, and alumni interested in or currently working in energy, which led to meaningful conversations and new perspectives. Throughout the conference, I also met people from across the US, Europe, and Asia, which made the experience feel even more engaging. On the last day, a group of us explored Houston together, including a visit to the Space Center and a local Texas BBQ spot, which was a fun way to wrap up the week.
Overall, the experience left me feeling inspired, more informed, and more confident in my interest in the energy field. I feel very grateful to have the opportunity to attend CERAWeek.
— Xinyan Huang, Master of Engineering Management, TH'26
