Seminar - Introduction

NPS Defense Energy Seminar Series

NPS’s academic programs in defense energy are supplemented by a seminar series which provides a forum for leading voices within the field, practitioners, and other defense energy influencers. These professionals give presentations, engage in brown bag discussions, and facilitate informal gatherings that encourage defense energy faculty and students to discourse over current issues in defense energy, supplementing classroom teaching with practical, professional experiences. The Defense Energy Seminar Series is a permanent part of NPS’s defense energy program, and a key to its real-world relevance. More Defense Energy Seminars will begin in the Summer Quarter...

Seminar - Upcoming Events

Upcoming & Recent Seminars
 

  • July 21, 2026 
    On-campus Recommended Opportunity to Participate in: Converge @ NPS

  • July 29, 2026 

    Topic: Q&A Session / Fireside chat with Bluecore Energy (Website: Bluecore)

    Kofi Asante, Founder and CEO, Bluecore Energy
    Megan Moyette, Licensing & Safety Lead, Bluecore Energy

    Bluecore Energy launched out of stealth mode on July 21, 2026, and is developing small modular, water-cooled nuclear reactors that operate aboard floating barges to deliver reliable, zero-emission power to ports, data centers, and critical infrastructure. Founded by Kofi Asante and headquartered at the Port of Long Beach, the company is the first small modular reactor company to establish headquarters inside a major U.S. port.

    In-Person Location: MAE Auditorium
    Teams Link for Remote Attendance:
    https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/213363149294660?p=Uql7ajxcM4OD5F7IF1
    Meeting ID: 213 363 149 294 660
    Passcode: Hy3iB3uQ

  • August 5, 2026                                                                                                                       

    Topic: Collective Human Intelligence Platform (CHIP) – Energy Insights Through Social Intelligence

    Vladimir Bogdanov, CTO and Co-Founder, Social Standards
    Jordan Breslauer, VP of Product, Social Standards

    CHIP is an AI social intelligence and insights platform that distills topics and ideas posted on social media platforms to provide better understanding of national security and national defense topics across the globe.  After their successful JIFX demonstration, they are returning to NPS for an energy focused demonstration of the technology.

    In-Person Location: Spanagel 316
    Teams Link for Remote Participation:
    https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/249584760480837?p=gidyfnOYW1SRm7MAW0
    Meeting ID: 249 584 760 480 837
    Passcode: tB64GR9N

  • August 18, 2026                                                                                                                   

    Topic: Energy Security Implications of the Strait of Hormuz Closure
    Emily Meierding, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Naval Postgraduate School
    In-Person Location: Spanagel Hall 221

  • August 26, 2026                                                                                                                     
    Major General (ret) Brian Cummings, OECIF
    In-person Location: Spanagel Hall 316
  • September 2, 2026                                                                                                                   
    Mrs. Sandrine Schultz, Director, Mission Resilience and Readiness, DASN-E
    Virtual: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/281884265456024?p=ndNHh6V3Ly82UZNgPy
    Meeting ID: 281 884 265 456 024
    Passcode: Uv6hP9fd
Seminar - Accordian

Past Seminars

 

  • October 22, 2019 
    Showdown with Iran: Implications for Global Oil
    Dr. Brenda Shaffer, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center in Washington, D.C., and a visiting researcher and professor at Georgetown University
     
  • November 5, 2019
    Predicting the Drag on Ships with Biofouling
    Dr. Karen Flack
    Former Chair and current faculty member in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the United States Naval Academy, and visiting professor while on sabbatical at NPS
     
  • November 12, 2019
    Balancing Shipboard Energy with Warfighting Needs
    Dr. John Heinzel, NSWC-PD Engineer and NAVSEA Technical Warrant Holder for Future Power and Energy Storage Architectures
     
  • November 19, 2019
    Why Electric Ships?
    Dr. Norbert Doerry, Technical Director of the Naval Sea Systems Command Technology Office
  • October 26, 2018 | DRMI Lecture Hall | 1000
    Energy Security Curriculum at USNA
    Dr. Karen Flack, Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
  • Tornados: Some Facts, Current State of Knowledge, and Recent Results (View Related PDF)  
    Dr. Roger M. Wakimoto, (Director of National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)) - August 27, 2012
  • Expeditionary Energy (View Related Video)
    Col Brutus Charette (USMC Expeditionary Energy Office) - July 24, 2012
  • The Marine Corps and Energy (View Related Video)
    Maj Brandon Newell (USMC Expeditionary Energy Office) - July 12, 2012
  • Energy-Related Security Threats and US Strategic Culture (View Related Link)
    Rebecca Pincus (University of Vermont) - June 14, 2012
  • Meeting California's Future Energy Needs
    Craig Smith (NPS) - March 9, 2012
  • Innovation & Installation Energy (View Related Video)
    Dr. Jeff Marqusee (SERDP) - March 8, 2012
  • AUV Power Systems
    Richard Wilson (Bluefin Robotics) - March 3, 2012
  • Solid State Hydrogen Storage (View Related PDF)
    Karl Gross (SNL) - February 17, 2012
  • Climate Change Update (View Related Link)
    Professor David Hafemeister (California State Polytechnic University) - February 3, 2012
  • The Logic of Energy Efficiency (View Related Video)
    Dr. Alan Meier (UC Davis) - January 20, 2012
  • The Dual Fuel Strategy (View Related Video)
    Dr. William Ahlgren (California State Polytechnic University) - January 12, 2012
  • Reduce Energy=Improve our Security (View Related Video)
    CDR Matt McCann (DUSD) - November 17, 2011
  • Port of San Francisco: Environment & Challenges
    E. Andres Acevedo (Port of SFO) - September 29, 2011
  • Safety & Transportation
    Mark Tisher (Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane) - March 11, 2011
  • Battery Management Systems & High Energy Density Storage Media in Military Applications
    Sam Stuart (Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane) - March 10, 2011
  • ASDS Power Systems
    Larry Ruckriegel (Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane) - March 10, 2011
  • AUV Requirements (View Related Link)
    Jim Bellingham (MBARI) - February 24, 2011
  • Multiphysics Battery Model (View Related Video)
    John Dunec (COMSOL) - February 23, 2011
  • Thermoelectric Materials Issues (View Related PDF)
    Nancy Yang (SNL) - February 17, 2011
  • National Hydrogen Center
    Bill Even (SNL) - February 17, 2011
  • Qualifying Batteries for Deep Oceanpdf icon
    Kevin Wolf (NAVFAC) - February 10, 2011
  • Power Systems for Sea & Space
    Kris Johanessen (Yardney) - February 3, 2011
  • Rechargeable Lithium Air
  • Winfried Wilcke (IBM) - February 2, 2011
  • The Tesla Sports Car (View Related Video)
    Martin Eberhard (TESLA) - January 27, 2011
  • Energy Technology & Commercial (View Related Link)
    Jim Kaschmitter (PSEC) - January 20, 2011
  • Marine Energy Assessment Team in Afghanistan
    Col T.C. Moore (USMC) - July 21, 2010
  • How Much Does DoD Really Pay for Batteries?
    Maj Troy Kiper, et al (NPS) - June 3, 2010
  • DoD's Energy Challenge as Strategic Opportunity (View Related Video)
    Amory Lovins (Rocky Mountain Institute) - April 20, 2010
  • The Economic Case for Sensible Energy Policy
    Jason Scorse (MIIS) - February 22, 2010
  • Shell Oil's Perspective on Energy and Offshore Technology
    Brandon Hohn (Shell Oil) - May 14, 2009
  • The Security Threats that Global Climate Issues Create
    Reid Detchon (UN Foundation) - October 1, 2008
  • Climate Change - Induced Migration and the Future of the Pacific Region
    Ambassador David L. Lyon (MIIS) - June 3, 2008
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