By TOBI SHOWUNMI, P.E., alliantgroup Associate Director, Team Lead for the Professional Engineering Team
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The engineering community witnessed a significant milestone in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions as Houston hosted its first-ever Energy and Climate Week. This innovative event, organized by Allies in Energy, brought together diverse stakeholders to address the pressing challenges of climate change and energy transition.
From September 9-13, 2024, Houston transformed into a hub of collaboration, innovation, and inclusion. The event surpassed all expectations, featuring 85 self-organized gatherings that spanned multiple industries, including energy, medicine, and consumer goods. These sessions ranged from workshops and panel discussions to celebratory events aimed at fostering dialogue and action on critical energy and climate issues.
For engineers, the week offered invaluable insights into emerging technologies in the oil and gas sector and renewable energy innovations. Attendees were able to engage with industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators, gaining fresh perspectives on how engineering expertise can contribute to the energy transition. One of the week’s topics focused on more resilient, energy-efficient, and sustainable commercial building designs and renovations. Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are one of the primary contributors to pollution worldwide; buildings alone account for nearly 40% of these emissions and consume almost a third of the world’s energy. This event created opportunities for engineers and stakeholders to discuss the technology and innovation that will push the industry closer to achieving net zero emissions, net-zero building energy, and enhanced heating, cooling, and energy efficiency practices in buildings.
The success of Houston Energy and Climate Week demonstrates the city’s commitment to taking charge of the energy transition. As President of Allies in Energy, Lindsay Roe noted, “We surpassed our goals and expectations – by miles!” This enthusiasm and dedication bode well for the future of energy and sustainable technology development.
After a successful week, plans are already underway for next year’s event, scheduled for September 15-19, 2025. Professionals in the energy sector are encouraged to mark their calendars and prepare to participate in this groundbreaking initiative.
For more information about the event and how to get involved in future initiatives, visit www.climateweekhouston.com. Engineers interested in contributing to the energy transition are also encouraged to learn more about Allies in Energy at www.alliesinenergy.org.
Featured Leadership
Tobi Showunmi is an experienced Civil and Structural Engineer (graduated from Lehigh University – Bachelors in Civil Engineering and Masters in Structural Engineering) at alliantgroup. Tobi has over 10 year of experience in the AEC Industry, with over 40 professional engineering licenses. As a Licensed Professional Engineer, Tobi has reviewed, inspected and certified over 2,000 buildings across the United States.
Tim Taschner, Associate Director, is a leader of alliantgroup’s R&D and ERC practice. Tim and his team specialize in serving the agriculture and life science industries at alliantgroup. Under Tim’s direction, the team has helped clients ranging from livestock producers and row crop farmers to dental laboratories and pharmaceutical companies claim over $500 million in federal and state tax incentives.
