Clarkson University Partners with Industry Executives to Launch Introduction to Energy and Utilities Seminar Course
Clarkson University is partnering with prominent industry executives to launch a new one-credit seminar course, Introduction to Energy and Utilities, during the spring 2026 semester. The class will introduce students to both the technical and business aspects of the field and will be presented through the Center for Electric Power Systems Research (CEPSR). The public is invited to attend the weekly lectures free of charge and can sign up on Clarkson’s Introduction to Energy and Utilities web page.
The weekly seminar will feature executive guest speakers who will cover a wide range of industry topics, including construction, power generation, transmission, distribution and industrial applications. Sessions will also address the evolving role of utilities in serving new types of power users, such as data centers.
“Hearing directly from industry leaders gives students and industry professionals valuable insight into the complex challenges facing today’s energy sector, from integrating renewable resources to modernizing the grid and maintaining reliability,” said Matt Barnett, National Grid’s Chief Operating Officer for New York Electric. “These conversations help to provide a clearer understanding of what lies ahead.”
Students will gain insights into emerging business models and geo-political influences. The course will also cover the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in grid modernization and digital energy security. Additional topics include renewable and clean energy growth, energy storage, fuel cells, green hydrogen, smart grids, microgrids and electric vehicles.
"Our industry's ability to deliver affordable and reliable electricity is facing significant short-term and long-term challenges, particularly with rising adoption of electricity-driven technology and AI,” said Hala Ballouz, Founder of Electric Power Engineers. “I’m excited for the opportunity to inspire students and industry professionals to apply their passion and ingenuity to our energy industry, to roll up our sleeves together to develop the game-changing innovations the grid of the future demands."
Offered through Clarkson’s Wallace H. Coulter School of Engineering and Applied Science, the seminar will be open to graduate students and upper-class undergraduates, including non-engineering majors. The course will be taught and moderated by Fram Akiki ’86, President of Joun Technologies. Akiki has more than 35 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, including executive roles with IBM, Qualcomm and Siemens.
Speakers for the 2026 course include Hala Ballouz, Founder of Electric Power Engineers; Phil Barker ’85, Professor of Practice and Coordinator of the Power Engineering MSEE Cohort Program at Clarkson University; Matt Barnett ’06, Chief Operating Officer of National Grid New York; Richard Dewey ’89, Chief Executive Officer of the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO); Ashok Gopalakrishnan, Vice President of Professional Services at Siemens; Dan Lorden ’81, Principal of DJL Consulting LLC; Marcus McCarthy, Senior Vice President of Siemens Grid Software; Nick Miller, Principal of HickoryLedge LLC, formerly of GE Energy Consulting and Member of the National Academy of Engineering; Doug Mouton, Board Member and Strategic Advisor – Data Centers; Dave Mueller, Vice President of Energy Systems Studies at EnerNex; John Nixon, Vice President of Energy and Utilities at Siemens Digital Industries Software; Maria Pope, President and Chief Executive Officer of Portland General Electric; Gil C. Quinones, President & Chief Executive Officer of ComEd, an Exelon company; Ryan Quint, Chief Executive Officer of Elevate Energy Consulting and President of GridStrong; and Kalyan Sen, President and Chief Technology Officer of Sen Engineering Solutions Inc.
Introduction to Energy and Utilities is the second seminar course of its kind at Clarkson, following on the success of last spring’s Introduction to Semiconductors speaker series. In Introduction to Semiconductors, students heard from weekly guest speakers who are leading the global semiconductor industry. For more information on other innovative programs being offered, please visit the Clarkson Graduate Programs website.
For more information about Introduction to Energy and Utilities, contact Fram Akiki ‘86, President of Joun Technologies at makiki@clarkson.edu.
