Austin Energy Trek: Two Days of Learning, Connection, and Industry Insight
Our two-day energy trek to Austin earlier this year was an enriching blend of
professional learning, alumni engagement, and firsthand exposure to the organizations
shaping today’s power sector. Throughout the trip, we were welcomed by thoughtful hosts,
connected with Duke alumni working across the industry, and gained a clearer
understanding of both the opportunities and challenges defining the energy transition.
We began the first day with Duke alumnus Warren Lasher, who previously served in
leadership roles at ERCOT and now works as a consultant. Warren provided a
comprehensive overview of current industry trends, offering a realistic look at how market designs evolve and why implementing system changes can take time. His explanation of ERCOT’s structure, decision-making processes, and operational challenges set a strong foundation for the rest of our conversations.
A brief visit to the Texas State Capitol followed. With its striking architecture and the pleasant weather we had a refreshing moment to take in Austin’s character before
continuing our company visits. Fun fact: the Texas State Capitol is taller than the US Capitol in Washington DC; it’s true, everything’s bigger in Texas!
Our next stop was Habitat Energy, a growing SaaS company focused on optimizing energy storage and renewable assets. Their “commercialization as a service” approach integrates trading, modeling research, and forecasting into a cohesive offering. The team manages
utility-scale storage, renewable resources, and controllable load, all supported by
technically skilled and enthusiastic professionals.
In the afternoon, we visited RWE Clean Energy, a major owner and operator of wind and
solar assets. Duke alumni at RWE welcomed us and walked us through RWE’s end-to-end
project development and management processes. They were candid about the challenges
they face – from permitting to community engagement – and the strategies they use to
address them. The company’s emphasis on maintaining strong local relationships stood
out, as did its structured work environment and global presence. A fun highlight:
renewable-themed socks for the nerds in the group!
We concluded the day with an alumni mixer at America’s oldest bier garden, Scholz
Garten! We had the chance to connect with Duke graduates and continue conversations
with professionals from the organizations we visited. The discussions were engaging and
insightful, making for a relaxed and enjoyable evening.
Our second day began at ERCOT, the independent system operator responsible for about 90 percent of Texas’s electricity load and 75 percent of its land area. We were hosted by the System Operations team who provided a clear overview of how the day-ahead and real time markets function, how they produce and use system forecasts, and how they maintain the essential balance of supply and demand. A highlight of the visit was peeking into the
control room, where operators actively monitor system frequency, transmission lines, and real time conditions across the grid. Hearing how ERCOT experienced Winter Storm Uri from inside the control room offered a valuable and sobering perspective.
We then visited Linea Energy, a young independent power producer developing renewable
energy projects. The energy of Linea’s work felt nimble, entrepreneurial, and fast-
moving. Their team walked us through their project development approach and offered
some homely Texas tacos to the team.
Our final stop was Aurora Energy Research, where many Duke alumni, including Julia Hoos,
Ben Smith, and Richard Zhang, are part of the growing Austin office. Aurora is the largest
energy research company “no one has heard of.” It combines consulting, modeling, and
analytics to support decision-making across the sector. The office environment was
dynamic and welcoming, with a clear emphasis on collaboration and employee
engagement. Their team shared insights into their professional journey and what they are
most excited about working in the future.
The Austin trek offered an exceptional opportunity to learn from industry leaders, connect
with alumni, and gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the modern energy
system. We returned with new knowledge, meaningful relationships, and a strengthened
sense of purpose as we continue exploring careers in the energy spac