Penn State Energy and Environment Calendar

The rapid proliferation of AI-driven data centers (AI DCs) presents unprecedented challenges for their integration into bulk power grids. These facilities exhibit highly volatile, computation‑driven power demand profiles, pushing the limits of traditional grid planning, operations, and reliability frameworks. In this talk, I will outline the key technical and operational challenges posed by large‑scale AI DC integration, including load forecasting uncertainty, stability concerns, resource adequacy, and forced oscillation implications.

The rising share of renewable electricity generation has led to an increased focus on demand-side mechanisms to balance the grid. For example, Direct Load Control (DLC) contracts allow utilities to curtail the electricity use of participating households at times of system stress. Christina McGranaghan uses a novel experimental design to show that intrinsic preferences for control can significantly impact the rewards required to encourage consumers to participate in such contracts.

Sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the extratropical ocean has been associated with global and regional climate variability and impacts. The mechanisms that drive the SST variability from interannual to interdecadal time scales, however, has remain uncertain. Many previous studies have examined the role of atmospheric variability in driving SST variations, mainly at interannual time scales. At decadal time scale, however, the relative importance of atmospheric vs oceanic forcing on decadal SST variability has remained highly controversial.

Join the Penn State community for its annual student-led celebration of Earth Day! Created by a coalition of student, campus, and community groups, the 4th Annual Student Sustainability Summit celebrates the many achievements, initiatives, leaders, and opportunities around sustainability at Penn State and in the neighboring community. The theme this year is “What Else is Possible?,” imagining a world not constrained by what we see today but full of the possibilities we collectively are working towards.

Rebecca Whiteash from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host this seminar titled 'Microplastics Sampling and Analysis at the PA Department of Environmental Protection’. Rebecca will present preliminary results from a 2025 DEP pilot project focused on microplastics sampling in surface waters across the Commonwealth. Rebecca will discuss sampling protocols, comparisons across land uses, and lessons learned that will inform future monitoring efforts.

Food Security and Access for Healthy Futures Symposium: Strengthening University–Community Partnerships through Participatory Research convenes university researchers, community-based organizations, and practitioners to co-develop practical pathways for improving local food access within charitable food distribution systems. The symposium’s scope emphasizes community-engaged, collaborative innovation grounded in analytics, operations research, and decision sciences, including responsible AI.

Emerging technologies, such as GPS, high-definition and autonomous imaging, eDNA, bioacoustics, and crowdsourcing, now generate multimodal, multiscale, multisensory data about life on Earth at unprecedented richness. Yet our ability to extract insight from these data still lags behind our ability to collect them.

The Geochemistry Forum hosts Matt Fantle, presenting "The diagenetic origin of carbon isotope excursions."

Experience a day dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and the power of ideas. The first annual Cocoziello Institute Built Environment Showcase brings together leaders from across our community—Board members, faculty, students, and industry partners—for an inspiring celebration of discovery and impact.

2026 Women Advancing River Research Seminar SeriesManaging for Water Scarcity in the Western United StatesDebra Perrone, University of California, Santa Barbara, United StatesElizabeth Koebele, University of Nevada, Reno, United States

Join the Sustainable Communities Collaborative for its traditional end-of-semester celebration of student sustainability work with the Spring 2026 Campus & Community Sustainability Expo. See student poster presentations about projects from the semester, working in partnership with Pennsylvania communities on applied sustainability research. Meet community partners and faculty sponsors. Hear remarks by Kathy Bieschke, senior vice provost and interim dean of Undergraduate Education.

This month at Science on Tap, Dr. Melissa Bopp is asking how you commute to work or school, and Dr. Ana Carla Salamunes wants to use prunes to improve bone health for women in their 40s and 50s. Together they are giving us an interactive look at what it’s like to be a researcher in Kinesiology.

The One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) in the Penn State Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences will host the One Health Microbiome Symposium on May 13 and 14, 2026. The symposium will bring together researchers from an ensemble of traditionally siloed disciplines to unify microbiome science, reflecting the center's mission. By welcoming industry partners and convening experts from the "One Health" pillars of human, agricultural and environmental health, the symposium highlights a central principle: Human health is inseparably linked to the health of our environment.

The One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) in the Penn State Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences will host the One Health Microbiome Symposium on May 13 and 14, 2026. The symposium will bring together researchers from an ensemble of traditionally siloed disciplines to unify microbiome science, reflecting the center's mission. By welcoming industry partners and convening experts from the "One Health" pillars of human, agricultural and environmental health, the symposium highlights a central principle: Human health is inseparably linked to the health of our environment.

Research ethics shape the quality, credibility, and impact of our work across every discipline. Penn State’s inaugural Research Ethics Conference brings together scholars, practitioners, and institutional leaders to explore emerging challenges and practical strategies for fostering integrity in today’s rapidly changing research environment.The one-day event will also recognize and celebrate individuals who exemplify integrity, accountability, and ethical leadership in research with the presentation of four awards. Registration and award nominations will open this summer.