Dalton J. Woods Auditorium
Energy, Coast & Environment Bldg
93 S. Quad Drive
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Energy Fundamentals is a weeklong course designed to provide an overview of the U.S. energy sector, with a focus on Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region. Participants will be exposed to the history, science, and economics of producing and consuming energy.
We are offering this one-week course twice this summer to better fit everyone’s schedules:
- June 22–26, 2025
- July 13–17, 2025
Days 1 and 2 focus on "Molecules", Days 3 and 4 focus on "Electrons" and Day 5 focuses on "Policy & Politics."
The event will take place in the Energy Information Center located in the Energy Coast & Environment Building on LSU’s campus. Short field trips are being planned to the LSU Cogeneration Plant and the Petroleum Engineering Research, Training, & Testing Lab on the LSU campus.
We are proud to partner with USAEE and IAEE, and members are eligible for discounted prices.
For questions, contact us at ces@lsu.edu.
Agenda
(Note: Topics and speakers are subject to change.)
Offered in two complete sessions:
- Session 1: June 22-26, 2026 (Monday-Friday)
- Session 2: July 13-17, 20265 (Monday-Friday)
The complete curriculum is identical in both sessions, and participants can choose to attend specific days from either session based on their availability.
Registration and breakfast begins daily at 7:30. Courses begin at 8 and end at 4:30. Lunch will be served at noon and there will be breaks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon.
Day 1 - Molecules
Session 1: Monday, June 22
Session 2: Monday, July 13
Energy Resources & Value Chains
Morning
- Fundamentals of Energy
- US Energy Resources Overview
- Wind/Solar/Geothermal
- The Carbon Cycle
- The History of Energy
- Coal
Afternoon
- Uranium & Critical Minerals
- Upstream Oil & Gas
- Upstream Oil & Gas Cont.
- GCEO - Upstream
- Offshore Decommissioning
- LA Orphan Wells
- Midstream Oil & Gas
Day 2 - Molecules
Session 1: Tuesday, June 23
Session 2: Tuesday, July 14
Energy Resources & Value Chains
Morning
- Downstream Oil & Gas
- Natural Gas Distribution
- Carbon Capture & Storage
- GCEO - Import, Export, LNG
- Biofuels and Hydrogen
Afternoon
- Department of Energy & Natural Resources
Day 3 - Electrons
Session 1: Wednesday, June 24
Session 2: Wednesday, July 15
Electricity Markets & Regulation
Morning
- Brief History & Market Participants
- Scope of Regulation & Key Principles
- Electrical Terms
- Generation
- Transmission & Distribution
- Customer Service/Retail
Afternoon
- Conventional Technologies
- Coal, Nuclear, Legacy Gas (steam)
- Simple Cycle (CTs) and Combined Cycle Gas Turbines (CCGTs)
- Renewable Technologies & Storage
- Hydro, Wind (onshore/offshore)
- Solar PV, Geothermal, Biomass
- Energy Storage
- Wholesale Energy Markets
Day 4 - Electrons
Session 1: Thursday, June 25
Session 2: Thursday, July 16
Electricity Markets & Regulation
Morning
- Cost of Service Regulation & How Electric Rates are Set
- Illustrative CCGT Investment Case
- Modernizing Rate Design
- Uncertainty & The Energy Transition
- Deregulation
Afternoon
- LPSC Overview - Brandon Frey
- LPSC Case Study
- Decarbonization
- Decentralization (DR/DERs/VPPs)
- Growth Opportunities
Day 5 - Policy & Politics
Session 1: Friday, June 26
Session 2: Friday, July 17
Government's Influence on Energy Choices
Morning
- Future U.S. Energy Demand/Data Centers
- Global Energy Trends
- How Tax Policy Affects Energy
- Changing Parties/Changing Policies
Afternoon
- Louisiana Energy/Global Impacts
- Energy Portfolios
- Can You Balance Energy and Environment?
Course Instructors
Chris McLindon is Director of Energy Education and Outreach at the Louisiana State University Center for Energy Studies, where he leads the development of educational programs to prepare future energy leaders and engages policymakers, industry professionals, and the public on key energy issues. He brings four decades of experience as a geologist in the upstream oil and gas industry and the carbon capture and storage sector, including CO₂ sequestration site development, geological modeling, and Class VI permit support in Louisiana and Texas. He holds a B.S. in Geology from LSU and is a past president of the New Orleans Geological Society. In 2017, he received the Statesmanship Award from the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies.
Andrew Owens is a CES Research Fellow and retired from Entergy in 2023 as Director of Regulatory Research & Strategy after more than 25 years with the company. His career focused on regulatory and policy issues, including ratemaking and emerging technologies such as smart grid, energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, renewables, electric vehicles, and energy storage. He previously worked in environmental consulting on air pollution policy, modeling, and permitting. Andrew holds a B.S. in chemical engineering from Iowa State University and an M.S. in management from Georgia Tech, and is a registered professional engineer in Georgia and a licensed CPA in Louisiana.
Speakers
Dr. Greg Upton is Executive Director and Associate Research Professor at LSU’s Center for Energy Studies. His research interests are related to the analysis of economic, environmental, and public policy issues in the energy industry. During his tenure at LSU, he has addressed topical energy issues of significance to Louisiana, including state mineral taxes, solar tax credits, and net metering policies, the impact of the oil price collapse on Louisiana’s budgetary challenges, and implications of the crude oil export ban’s lifting on the Louisiana economy, among others. He has presented research to more than 200 industry, governmental, and academic audiences, and has been quoted or cited over 250 times in local and national media, including the Wall Street Journal and NPR’s Marketplace. Dr. Upton holds a Ph.D. in economics from LSU, where he also received both an M.S. and B.S. in economics.
Energy Fundamentals is a weeklong course designed to provide an overview of the U.S. energy sector, with a focus on Louisiana and the Gulf Coast region. Participants will be exposed to the history, science, and economics of producing and consuming energy.
We are offering this one-week course twice this summer to better fit everyone’s schedules:
- June 22–26, 2025
- July 13–17, 2025
Days 1 and 2 focus on "Molecules", Days 3 and 4 focus on "Electrons" and Day 5 focuses on "Policy & Politics."
The event will take place in the Energy Information Center located in the Energy Coast & Environment Building on LSU’s campus. Short field trips are being planned to the LSU Cogeneration Plant and the Petroleum Engineering Research, Training, & Testing Lab on the LSU campus.
We are proud to partner with USAEE and IAEE, and members are eligible for discounted prices.
For questions, contact us at ces@lsu.edu.
Join the LSU Energy Institute!
