Trends In Energy

Date: February 5, 2025

Topic: Trends In Energy

Speaker: Booga Gilbertson is an experienced senior executive and advisor with over three decades in energy and infrastructure. She previously served as COO at Puget Sound Energy, where she was responsible for all facets of electric and gas operations, implementing strategies to modernize and digitize infrastructure and operations, and renewable clean energy solutions. Booga’s current focus includes advising companies and regulators on energy, infrastructure, strategy, policy, and energy technology. She also serves as a board director for a leading green hydrogen company, a renewable bio-energy company, and an AI climate risk company. Booga holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington, a Master of Business Administration from City University and a Master of Science degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from Northwestern University. Her interests include hiking, skiing, kayaking, gardening, running, and weaving.

Abstract: This lecture explores three trends shaping the energy industry: the growth of renewable energy, the rise of distributed energy resources (DER), and the increasing application of artificial intelligence (AI) in energy systems. The discussion highlights both obstacles and opportunities associated with these trends, including integration of renewable energy, development of new transmission infrastructure, as well as the importance of leveraging emerging technologies such as dynamic transmission optimization and AI-driven demand response and grid management. The speaker will provide examples of her current projects throughout the discussion and student questions are most welcome to further explore these evolving topics.

Attendance was 6 Industry members and 20 Students.