Energy delivery in the 21st century is going to depend on innovative approaches with the use of technology and a shift in the reliance of resources from traditional fossil fuels to renewable energy supply chains.

Dr. Walter Guidroz, an emeritus research scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Reston, Virginia, will speak about what is required to keep pace with the demand to secure the energy supply of these critical minerals and rare earth resources, especially those challenging to extract, such as those located deep in the ocean. As part of the earth sciences and engineering seminar series, his talk titled “Renewable Energy Supply Chains: From the Ocean Depths to Your Cell Phone (i.e., the scenic route)” will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6, in Room 204 McNutt Hall.

Before Guidroz’s retirement in 2021, he led the USGS Energy Resources Program and provided strategic direction to energy-related research and assessments. He has over 40 years of experience in the energy industry, having worked at Amoco, Enron and BP in multiple geoscience and management roles before joining the USGS in 2016. Guidroz earned a bachelor’s degree in geology from Nicholls State University, a master’s degree in geology from the University of Mississippi, an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in geological oceanography from Louisiana State University.

This lecture is a joint effort between the earth sciences and engineering department and the civil, architectural and environmental engineering department. Dr. Kelly Liu, professor of earth sciences and engineering, and Dr. Grace Yan, professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering are co-hosting the event.

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