Penn State Energy and Environment News

Award-winning photographer, conservationist to headline climate symposium

| psu.edu

Paul Nicklen, the award-winning nature photographer and conservationist, will be the keynote speaker for Penn State’s Climate Solutions Symposium. His presentation is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, at The Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.

Designing and assessing market designs to improve electrical grid reliability

| psu.edu

A project co-led by two Penn State professors has been selected to receive up to $815,959 from the Grid Deployment Office of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The team will evaluate prospective market design changes to efficiently integrate batteries and other unconventional resources into wholesale electricity markets, with the aim of improving electrical grid reliability.

Engineering professor elected fellow of two professional societies

| psu.edu

Tak Sing Wong, professor of mechanical engineering and of biomedical engineering, was elected a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Companies aim to release more treated oilfield wastewater into rivers and streams

| yahoo.com

Texas regulators are issuing permits to discharge large volumes of treated “produced water” into some waterways. Questions remain about the toxic pollutants found in the wastewater. This article mentions Penn State research.

Applications now open to faculty for Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for 2025-26

| psu.edu

The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program's 2025-26 competition is now open for faculty, staff and administrators, featuring more than 400 awards offered in more than 135 countries. The awards cycle is open until Sept. 16.

IceCube researchers detect a rare type of energetic neutrino sent from powerful astronomical objects

| theconversation.com

Tau neutrinos are notoriously difficult to spot in detectors like IceCube. But researchers have managed to isolate 7 candidates.

After a long slog, climate change lawsuits will finally put Big Oil on trial

| yahoo.com

After years of legal appeals and delays, some oil companies are set to stand trial in lawsuits brought by state and local governments — including in Minnesota — over the damages caused by climate change. This article quotes Hannah Wiseman, professor of law at Penn State Law.

US government commits $2.5M to battery-testing center at Penn State Behrend

| psu.edu

Penn State Behrend has been awarded $2.5 million in federal funding to develop a battery-testing facility in the college’s Knowledge Park, where a planned Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness will support the transition to battery-powered heavy-haul equipment in the rail, marine and mining industries.

Capstone Design Conference to showcase student innovation and creativity

| psu.edu

Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering and Technology will hold its annual Capstone Design Conference from 12:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 26, on campus.

College of Ag Sciences faculty, extension leader engage in leadership program

| psu.edu

Two Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences faculty members and an assistant director with Penn State Extension recently furthered their knowledge of leadership principles by completing the LEAD21 leadership development program, a national yearlong program to develop leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics and extension and can navigate an increasingly complex environment to lead more effectively in their current or future leadership positions. 

$1 million gift to create scholarships and upgrade engineering facilities

| psu.edu

Ronald and Martha Tirpak have stepped forward with a $1 million commitment to expand affordability through scholarships and to ensure the College of Engineering has access to modern, state-of-the-art facilities.

Winners announced for 16th annual Materials Visualization Competition

| psu.edu

The winners of the 16th annual Materials Visualization Competition, a scientific visual and artistic competition sponsored by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Research Institute at Penn State, have been announced.