Robin L. Newmark, Director of the Strategic Energy Analysis Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Speaks at Denver Law May 4

The current portfolio of energy technologies in the U.S. has highly regionalized and technology-specific requirements for water. This portfolio is likely to evolve in coming years, shaped by various policy and economic drivers, which will have an impact on power sector water demands. Similarly, the water sector requires energy for pumping, distribution and treatment. Increasing demands for fresh water, combined with increasing treatment requirements, suggest an increase in energy demands by the water sector.

Analysis of future energy scenarios that incorporate technology options and constraints as well as different policies can provide insight into how the technology mix is likely to evolve along with the water consumption and withdrawal implications on both a national and regional level. Challenges posed by the water implications of future energy scenarios and the trends for the water sector are presented, along with some opportunities to address them.

On Wednesday, May 4, in room 125 at 12 noon, Robin L. Newmark, Director of the Strategic Energy Analysis Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), will address these issues.

Prior to joining NREL, Dr. Newmark was at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where her research focused primarily on energy, environment and national security. In recent years, she has led or contributed to programs involving energy, climate and water issues, including the interdependence of water and energy systems; one example is a water initiative with components addressing the impacts of climate change on water resources, assessing denitrification in agricultural regions, and the development of energy-efficient, selective water treatment technologies.

Dr. Newmark is an active member of the multi-national laboratory Energy-Water Nexus working group, the World Resources Institute Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) Stakeholder Group and the U.S. – China Expert CCS Steering Committee. She is an author of over 50 papers, reports and patents, a Fellow of both the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute at the University of Colorado, Boulder and the Center of Integrated Water Research at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

Dr. Newmark holds a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she was selected Phi Beta Kappa, a M.S. from the University of California at Santa Cruz, an M.Phil and a Ph.D from Columbia University.

The public is invited to attend.