Agora track
5 can't-miss innovation events at CERAWeek featuring Houston speakers
Hundreds of energy experts, C-level executives, diplomats, members of royal families, and more are descending upon Houston for the 2019 CERAWeek by IHS Markit. For the second year, the conference will have its Agora track, focused on innovation within the energy sector. The Agora track's events — thought-provoking panels, intimate pods, and corporate-hosted "houses" — will take place in various locations in the George R. Brown Convention Center.
Undoubtedly, many of the panels will have Houston representatives considering Houston's dominance in the industry, but here are five innovation-focused events you can't miss during CERAWeek that feature Houstonians.
March 11: Oil & Gas: Realizing value from digital transformation
In oil and gas, money talks, but justifying the value of integrating new technology or devices can be tricky and hard to navigate. Houston-based Justin Rounce of TechnipFMC and Michelle Pfluger of Chevron Corp. are among the panelists who will attempt to shed light on best practices and new ways of thinking.
Catch the panel at 4:30 pm on Monday, March 11. Learn more.
March 12: Sea Change: Autonomy, automation, offshore & the ocean
Offshore oil and gas rigs are a hotbed for new innovations and technologies — especially when it comes to automation. Two Houstonians join the panel that will discuss emerging tech in offshore E&P — Diana Grauer, TechnipFMC director, External Technology Engagement – North America, and Nicolaus Radford, Houston Mechatronics chief technology officer.
The event takes place at 9:15 am on Tuesday, March 12. Learn more.
March 12: Digital Ledgers: Oil & gas supply chain
Let's talk blockchain integration in oil and gas. The technology has a lot of potential in several aspects of the supply chain, but this panel — which features Andrew Bruce of Houston-based Data Gumbo — will weigh the pros and cons of the technology as well as go over the initial results of early adaptors.
The discussion begins on Tuesday, March 12, at 2.45 pm. Learn more.
March 12: Models of Innovation: Today & tomorrow
Inarguably, the energy's innovation ecosystem differs from that of other industries, but to what end? A panel of professionals — including Houston-based Chevron Technology Ventures President Barbara Burger — will debate the challenges within innovation in energy, innovative corporations, and the best strategies moving forward.
The panel is on Tuesday, March 12, at 2.45 pm. Learn more.
March 14: Urban Resilience in a Changing Climate
You can't have an energy-focused conference without addressing the elephant in the room that is climate change, and Houston-based Sunova CEO John Berger and City of Houston Chief Sustainability Officer Lara Cottingham are the right people to do it.
The panel will take place on Thursday, March 14, at 10:30 am. Learn more.
Can't-miss pods
While panels focus on a challenging topic of discussion, the Agora Pods are platforms for companies to showcase new tech or developments or present their successes. Here are some pods hosted by Houston companies you shouldn't miss.
- "Early detection of methane and GHG emissions" by Houston-based Rebellion Photonics CEO, Robert Kestler, on Wednesday, March 13, at 9 am.
- "Houston's Technology Ecosystem: An update on Station Houston" by Station Houston CEO, Gabriella Rowe, on Wednesday, March 13, at 10 am.
- "A Bright New Future: The Rise of Hydrogen and Photocatalysis" by Houston-based Syzygy Plasmonics CEO, Trevor Best, on Thursday, March 14, at 10 am.