Tim Lieuwen is a Regents’ Professor, the David S. Lewis, Jr. Professor and the Executive Director of the Strategic Energy Institute at Georgia Tech. In this capacity, he manages Georgia Tech’s overall strategy and external relations for its 315 faculty and over 1000 researchers working in energy RD&D. He is also founder and CTO of TurbineLogic, an analytics firm working in the energy industry. Dr. Lieuwen is an international authority on clean energy and propulsion, and his work has contributed to numerous commercialized innovations in the energy and aerospace sectors. He has authored 4 books and over 400 other publications. Current and past board positions include governing/advisory boards for Oak Ridge National Lab, Pacific Northwest National Lab, National Renewable Energy Lab, Electric Power Research Institute, appointment by the DOE Secretary to the National Petroleum Counsel, and board member of the ASME International Gas Turbine Institute. Dr. Lieuwen is a fellow of ASME, APS, and AIAA, and foreign fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering. Major awards include the ASME R. Tom Sawyer Award, AIAA Pendray Award, and ASME’s George Westinghouse Gold Medal. He received a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Georgia Tech. Dr. Lieuwen was elected to membership in the National Academy of Engineering in 2018 for contributions to research and development in low-emissions gas turbine combustion systems and US energy policy. 

Title: Net Zero Pathways in the US Energy System

Abstract: The US energy system consists of three major elements (1) energy sources, (2) energy carriers and storage, and (3) energy users.  This talk will address how these elements will evolve as the country decarbonizes, discussing current modeling results for the least cost mix of energy sources and carriers.  It will discuss the relative role of electric power relative to manufactured fuels (e.g., hydrogen or SAF’s) and fossil fuels as energy carriers.  Finally, it will discuss the complex set of stakeholders and considerations that will influence this least cost system, discussing geopolitics, resiliency, equity, and existing infrastructure/jobs.