Speakers

Abstract:

This presentation provides a history of microgrid development at Kaiser Permanente, originally conceived to protect facilities from wildfire-related power shutoffs. Key highlights include the implementation of the largest renewable energy-based microgrid at a US hospital, completed in April 2025 at KP’s Ontario Medical Center.

Professional Bio:

Seth Baruch is responsible for energy and utilities at Kaiser Permanente, overseeing massive on-site and off-site renewable programs totaling over 400 MW of solar and wind capacity. His leadership was instrumental in KP achieving carbon neutrality in 2020.

Seth manages a diverse portfolio including fuel cells, battery storage, and over 1,500 EV chargers. He also secured funding for the first renewable microgrid in California at the Richmond Medical Center, continuing this innovation with the recently completed Ontario Medical Center project.

Abstract:

This session explores the strategic initiatives driving economic vibrancy and community health in Bakersfield. From urban planning to multi-modal transportation and local business development, learn how dedicated local leadership is fostering a thriving environment for residents and businesses alike.

Professional Bio:

Jason Cater was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. After graduating from Bakersfield Christian High School, he earned a degree in City Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. His commitment to his hometown led him back to Bakersfield, where he served as the Executive Director for Bike Bakersfield for four and a half years before transitioning to public service with the City.

Currently serving as the Economic and Community Development Manager, Jason focuses on enhancing economic vibrancy and the quality of work within the community. He is deeply integrated into the local leadership landscape, serving as a board member for the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and Bike Bakersfield, and is an active member of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield Downtown. Jason is driven by a passion for improving the quality of life for all residents in the community where he is proud to raise his family.

Abstract:

Kate Gordon has spent over two decades working at the intersection of climate change, energy policy, and equitable economic development. From the Biden-Harris administration to the Governor’s Office in California, her work focuses on integrating climate strategy with regional economic resilience to ensure a just transition for all communities.

Professional Bio:

Kate Gordon is the CEO of CA FWD. Most recently, she served as Senior Advisor to U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, where she led initiatives like the Community Benefits Plan framework and the Cleanup to Clean Energy initiative. Prior to her federal service, Gordon was the Director of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and Senior Climate Policy Advisor to Governor Gavin Newsom, launching the Community Economic Resilience Fund (CERF).

Before public service, she was the founding director of the Risky Business Project and held leadership roles at the Henry M. Paulson Institute and the Center for American Progress. Gordon earned a J.D. and a Masters in City and Regional Planning from UC-Berkeley. She currently serves on several boards, teaches at UC-Berkeley, and is a Non-resident Scholar at Carnegie California.

Abstract:

Borates have been used as an industrial mineral for thousands of years. Sodium Borates have been mined and refined at Rio Tinto Borates Boron Operations for 100 years. Borates are used in many everyday products with wide-ranging applications including agricultural uses, wood building material preservatives, fiberglass insulation, ceramics, heat tempered glass, electronics, computer chips, and vehicle parts. The US Geological Survey has recently included Boron on the list of Critical Minerals for the United States, underscoring boron's economic and national security importance.

Professional Bio:

Brandon Griffiths is the Senior Geologist at Rio Tinto Borates Boron Operations with over 20 years of experience in geology roles. A Kern County native from Boron, CA, Brandon attended UC Santa Barbara and graduated with a degree in Geological Sciences in 2001. He worked in Environmental Consulting for 4 years before joining Rio Tinto Borates, where he has spent 20 years performing geotechnical and mine geology work. He currently manages the Mine Geology program at Boron Operations overseeing ore control and resource geology, and serves as the Competent Person for Ore Reserve & Resource reporting.

Abstract:

Dr. Hegde’s research is primarily focused on Agricultural Economics and regional economic issues. His work bridges the gap between academic study and community impact, specifically through the development of the Ag Business degree program at CSUB.

Professional Bio:

Aaron Hegde is Professor of Economics at CSU Bakersfield and serves as the Executive Director of the Grimm Family Center for Agricultural Business. After receiving his PhD in Agricultural Economics from North Carolina State University and spending several years at Pennsylvania State University, Aaron moved to Bakersfield in 2003.

During his tenure at CSUB, he has led numerous service initiatives, most notably the establishment of the Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business. This program continues to grow as a vital resource for the local community, reflecting his dedication to the economic development of Kern County and the surrounding region.

Abstract:

California's position on the San Andreas plate boundary makes understanding earthquake hazards vital for community resilience. This presentation explores the baseline seismicity of the state and the emerging concerns regarding induced seismicity from subsurface injections. Dr. Herman will discuss how careful monitoring and public communication are essential to mitigating risks as California’s energy and water infrastructure evolves.

Professional Bio:

Dr. Matthew Herman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at California State University, Bakersfield. His research focuses on earthquakes, plate tectonics, and geodynamics. He serves on the SZ4D Modeling Collaboratory for Subduction committee and is the CSUB Institutional Representative for the Statewide California Earthquake Center.

A prolific researcher, Dr. Herman has published numerous peer-reviewed papers on tectonic processes globally. Beyond the classroom, he is a dedicated science communicator, frequently providing expert analysis to media outlets and local organizations to help the public better understand seismic science and hazards.

Abstract:

Carbon TerraVault has reached the completion of major construction on the CTV I 26R Class VI project. This development delivers several industry firsts, including the state’s inaugural CO₂ injection and the county’s first Class VI injection into a depleted oil and gas reservoir. This presentation highlights technical and operational insights that establish a foundation for future large-scale carbon storage.

Professional Bio:

Travis Hurst is a geoscientist with seven years of experience in carbon management at Carbon TerraVault. As the Class VI permitting lead, he has prepared and submitted multiple Class VI applications and successfully guided them through every stage of the regulatory process—including technical review, public comment, and final permit issuance.

Travis brings deep subsurface expertise, practical project experience, and a strong track record of working with regulators to advance safe, commercially viable carbon storage projects in California.

Abstract:

Drawing from firsthand experience developing behind-the-meter systems for public and private industry, Bo Jones examines how microgrids serve as a strategic response to rising costs and declining grid reliability. Featuring a deep dive into the Granite Construction project in South Kern County, this talk offers a first-principles perspective on overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles to achieve energy abundance.

Professional Bio:

Bo Jones is a Microgrid Developer at Agilitech in Bakersfield, California, and a leader in the development of behind-the-meter microgrids for heavy industry. With 15 years of industrial operations leadership and extensive experience engineering grid-independent systems since 2020, his work focuses on helping commercial and industrial clients achieve energy independence and long-term sustainability.

Bo brings a grounded, real-world perspective to utility rate dynamics and system integration. His approach is driven by the goal of making energy abundant for operators, engineers, and executives alike.

Abstract:

To meet energy and climate objectives, the California Geological Survey is conducting targeted mapping and geochemical reconnaissance for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements. This presentation addresses the data gaps in our understanding of mineral systems and the vital role of academic partnerships in supporting long-term resource planning.

Professional Bio:

Jeremy Lancaster is the State Geologist and Director of the California Geological Survey (CGS). He has led multidisciplinary teams focused on geologic mapping, carbon sequestration, and landslide modeling. His extensive career spans roles with DWR, URS Corporation, and the Department of Transportation, building a robust foundation in groundwater and applied engineering geology.

A prolific researcher and communicator, Jeremy has authored over 15 peer-reviewed publications and mapped over 10,000 square miles of California terrain. He remains a key leader in multi-agency initiatives including the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan and statewide seismic monitoring.

Abstract:

Critical materials enable modern societies and are essential to economic, energy, and national security. They enable much of the technology of modern life such as strong magnets needed for efficient motors, energy storage for EVs, and advanced semiconductors. This talk will provide an overview of critical minerals & materials and where there are opportunities for domestic industry.

Professional Bio:

Dr. Scott McCall is the Actinide and Lanthanide Science Group Leader within the Materials Science Division of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and a founding member of the Critical Materials Innovation Hub (CMI). He currently serves as the Crosscutting Research Focus Area Lead for CMI, a consortium of 9 national laboratories and 25 universities dedicated to advancing early-stage research in critical materials. He also serves as lead for the Alloy Design and Advanced Manufacturing (ADAM) Center within METALLIC.

Abstract:

This talk will cover two geomechanics-related issues for CO2 sequestration: stress estimation and the effect of thermoelastic stress changes. During CO2 sequestration, it is important to inject below the frac gradient to maintain seal integrity. Fracture injection tests are commonly used to estimate stress, however some methods systematically underestimate stress. During long-term injection, the formation gradually cools around the well, inducing localized stress reduction which can cause small fractures to form, potentially affecting cap rock integrity.

Professional Bio:

Mark McClure established ResFrac in 2015 to help operators maximize value through the application of advanced geomechanics and reservoir simulation. Before founding ResFrac, Mark was an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin in the Department of Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering. After earning a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and a Master of Science in petroleum engineering from Stanford University, Mark earned a PhD in energy resources engineering at Stanford.

Abstract:

While California possesses prolific conventional basins, recent regulations like SB 1137 and permitting bottlenecks have constrained development. This presentation analyzes the impact of restrictive policy on production and reserves over the past decade and explores how new legislation like SB 237 may create a turning point for streamlined permitting in Kern County.

Professional Bio:

Joe Mello has been a petroleum engineering consultant at NSAI since 2015, with extensive experience in offshore deepwater assets and conventional reservoirs across the United States. He specializes in dynamic reservoir simulation for oil and gas evaluations and leads NSAI’s efforts in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project assessments.

Prior to joining NSAI, Joe served as a reservoir and production engineer for ExxonMobil at the Santa Ynez Unit offshore California. His expertise is frequently utilized by both private producers and state government entities for reserve evaluations and regional economic impact studies.

Abstract:

In this study, the economic benefits of the oil and gas industry on Kern County's economy will be presented.

Professional Bio:

Nyakundi Michieka is a Professor in the department of Economics at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), where he also serves as the Director for the Center for Economic Education and Research. His primary research focuses on energy, environmental economics and regional economics. Dr. Michieka has presented his work at numerous conferences and has authored over 38 research publications in esteemed journals, including Energy Economics, Applied Energy, Energy Policy, Economic Modelling and Economic Analysis and Policy. His current research examines the long- and short-run effects of oil prices on Kern County's economy. Originally from Kenya, Dr. Michieka earned his undergraduate degree in Mechatronic Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He was honored with the CSUB Unity Award in 2024.

Core Mission:

Dr. Olson focuses on ethical issues in professional life and the sciences, believing that ethics education thrives through cross-disciplinary conversations. His work bridges clinical research and community health through active roles in bioethics committees and institutional review.

Professional Bio:

Dr. Nate Olson is the Interim Director of the Kegley Institute of Ethics, Chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, and a Professor of Philosophy at CSU Bakersfield. He teaches courses in ethical theory and practical ethics, with a research emphasis on bioethics, including clinical and research ethics.

He serves on the CSUB Institutional Review Board and the Dignity Health Memorial Hospital Ethics Committee. Dr. Olson earned his PhD from Georgetown University and previously served as a post-doctoral teaching fellow at Stanford University, where he collaborated with the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics.

Abstract:

Electric power grids are facing unprecedented challenges from rising demand and cybersecurity threats. While AI offers powerful capabilities for forecasting and defense, its integration into critical infrastructure introduces new reliability concerns. This talk outlines use cases for AI in strengthening grid resilience and describes the path toward trustworthy, robust AI solutions for future operations.

Professional Bio:

Dr. Colin Ponce is a computer scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where he has worked since 2016 on developing technology to enhance critical infrastructure resilience.

He leads multiple multidisciplinary teams focused on ensuring the reliability of artificial intelligence systems in electric power grids and developing AI technology for grids directly. His work sits at the intersection of emerging AI capabilities and the rigorous security standards required for national energy infrastructure.

Abstract:

This presentation explores the use of agentic AI to autonomously design and optimize microgrids. By shifting away from manual engineering toward an autonomous system that observes, reasons, and learns, we can automatically adjust control settings to mitigate instability. This approach facilitates faster design and lower costs while ensuring resilient clean energy for communities and critical facilities.

Professional Bio:

Ehsan Reihani, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor at California State University, Bakersfield, and a collaborator with the California Energy Research Center. His research focuses on renewable energy integration and AI applications in power systems, including microgrid control, demand response, and peer-to-peer energy markets.

With over 890 citations, Dr. Reihani’s work supports California's transition to 100% clean energy. He currently mentors undergraduate researchers in parallel computing for energy optimization and AI-driven autonomous systems, building on his prior research at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and GridSTART.

Abstract:

Darcy Partners will share insights on how recent trends in the energy industry (Data Centers, load growth, technology evolution) are bringing together erstwhile disparate energy industries of Oil & Gas and Utilities. Priorities of each industry, their position in the evolving chain (molecules to electrons), and examples of how the industries are collaborating will be shared in this session.

Professional Bio:

Nikhil brings together a background in energy and management consulting to his current role at Darcy Partners, a technology research and innovation advisory firm focused on the energy industry. His career started at Indian Oil Corporation (India's largest oil refiner) in Corporate Planning & Economic Studies, followed by an LNG Procurement role. After earning his MBA from University of Chicago Booth School of Business, he worked at Boston Consulting Group focusing on Energy & Sustainability topics. In his current role, Nikhil helps O&G producers understand the latest technologies and identify the right partners to unlock value.

Abstract:

Suri specializes in the lifecycle management of wells, focusing on integrity, design, and failure analysis. His work ensures that subsurface infrastructure is resilient against geomechanical stresses and environmental factors throughout its productive life.

Professional Bio:

PV (Suri) Suryanarayana is the CEO and President of Blade Energy Partners. He has over 30 years of experience in well engineering, including casing and tubing design, geomechanics, and underbalanced drilling. He has authored numerous technical papers and has been a lead instructor for industry courses worldwide. Suri holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University and is a recognized leader in the global energy community for his expertise in well integrity and lifecycle engineering.

Abstract:

Traditional compressed air energy storage (CAES) technology has been around for decades, but has not been broadly deployed because of constraints around heat, siting, and efficiency. Hydrostor has improved on this model with their patented advanced compressed air energy storage (A-CAES) technology. The result is the Willow Rock Energy Storage Center, being built in Kern County, California. In this session, Hydrostor will discuss how they solved these issues to create an efficient, long-duration energy storage system with emissions-free operations.

Professional Bio:

Lucas is an Engineering manager at Hydrostor who has been working on the development and advancement of the Advanced Compressed Energy Storage (A-CAES) technology for over 8 years. Lucas has been supporting the adoption of the A-CAES technology at Hydrostor's Willow Rock project in Rosamond, CA from the project conception.

Abstract:

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of SoCalGas’s active and proposed hydrogen blending demonstration projects. Attendees will receive updates on current hydrogen blending research and the evolving regulatory strategy shaping the implementation of hydrogen into the state’s energy infrastructure.

Professional Bio:

Blaine Waymire is a Sr. Reliability Engineer for the Engineering Development and Technology Team at SoCalGas. He oversees the implementation of hydrogen blending demonstration projects, manages regulatory strategy, and leads research studies to advance decarbonization goals.

Blaine has 13 years of experience in the utility industry, specializing in Distributed Energy Resources and Energy Efficiency. A Licensed Professional Engineer in California, he holds a degree in mechanical engineering from CSU Long Beach and is certified by the Association of Energy Engineers as both a Certified Energy Manager and a Distributed Generation Certified Professional.