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Energy Collaborative

Energy Week

Coming Thursday, Oct. 1 - Wednesday, Oct. 7

2026 Energy Week

Thursday, Oct. 1 – Wednesday, Oct. 7

Join NC State for a week of events to increase visibility of the university’s energy use, research and opportunity to shape a sustainable energy future. All events are free to attend, though many require advance registration.

  • Oct. 2, Friday: FREEDM Systems Center Lab Tour
    • 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
      • Explore how FREEDM Systems Center is leading the electrification revolution by touring the simulation labs, which include hardware in the loop (HIL) testbeds for evaluating controllers and software connected to simulated utility grids., and the 1MW, 15kV high bay lab, that house solid state transformers, electric vehicle fast chargers and motor dynos.
      • Register to Attend
  • Oct. 2, Friday: Next Stop: Lunch Ride
    • 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
      • Join NC State Transportation on the bus to visit Morgan Street Food Hall! Use your free GoPass to practice using the bus and enjoy discounts at participating restaurants as part of our “Next Stop: Good Food” campaign.
      • Register to Attend
  • Oct, 2, Friday: Solar House Tours with The Engineering Place
    • Tours will start every hour, on the hour from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last tour starts at 4:00 p.m.)
      • Join The Engineering Place and witness firsthand how solar panels, passive heating and cooling systems, and energy-efficient appliances work together to create an environmentally friendly living space at the NC State Solar House.
      • No registration required. 
  • Oct. 3, Saturday: SolarPack: NC State’s Solar Vehicle Team Workshop
    • 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
      • Discover NC State’s solar vehicle team, SolarPack, for a discussion on solar cell technology for automotive applications and tour of their current solar vehicle.
      • No registration required. This event will be held in the SolarPack Garage, High Bay Building room 104 on Centennial Campus.
  • Oct. 3-Oct. 4, Saturday and Sunday: Zero Waste Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium
    • Time TBD
      • Join the Zero Waste Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium during and after the football game to turn waste into energy savings by keeping recyclables and compost out of the landfill.
      • Register to Attend
  • Oct. 6, Tuesday: From Labs to Solar: Powering NC State
    • 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
      • Discover what it takes to power NC State’s energy-intensive research labs and learn simple ways to reduce energy use. A tour of the solar array atop Fitts-Woolard Hall will also be included.
      • Register to Attend
  • Oct. 6, Tuesday: Research Up Close: Constructed Facilities Lab Tour
    • 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
      • Explore a civil engineering paradise where concrete bends, metal freezes and earthquakes are an everyday occurrence. 
      • Register to Attend
  • Oct. 6, Tuesday: Engineering a Cleaner Tomorrow
    • 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Oct. 6, Tuesday: Centennial Campus Utility Plant Tour
    • 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
      • Learn how NC State generates energy on-site by touring the Centennial Campus Utility Plant.
      • Register to Attend
  • Oct. 7, Wednesday: Energy and Water Competition Kickoff
  • Oct. 7, Wednesday: EV Showcase: Ride and Drive
  • Oct. 7, Wednesday: KIETS Climate Leaders Program 2026 Fall Symposium
    • James B. Hunt Library, Oct. 7-8
      • Explore climate mitigation and adaptation solutions during this 2-day event of engaging speakers, panel discussions, poster presentations and networking opportunities
      • Learn More and Register to Attend
NC State is at the forefront of groundbreaking energy research and collaboration. Groups like the Energy Collaborative, Student Energy Club, FREEDM Systems Center, Sustainability Office and many more are connecting students, faculty, staff and community members to discover interdisciplinary solutions to energy challenges.

Previous Energy Week Events

Events from 2025 Energy Week

Events from Energy Week 2024

  • Energy & Water Competition promoted energy and water reduction within campus residence halls.
  • Centennial Campus Utility Tour provided a behind-the-scenes look at how NC State generates power on-site.
  • PULSTAR Nuclear Reactor Tour explored the groundbreaking research at the first university-based reactor program in the nation.
  • Energy Research Spark Talks showcased student energy-related research in a 3-minute lightning talk competition.
  • Solar Brunch offered free waffles and smoothies made using solar power to campus.
  • Electric Vehicle Showcase celebrated National Drive Electric Week with an EV car show and test drive.
  • The Engineering Place Solar House tours invited campus and community members to explore solar home systems.
  • Energy Art invited attendees to paint while learning energy facts.
  • Leading the Clean Energy Transition: Insights into policy.
  • Sustainable Labs provided information on how to be certified sustainable to promote a sustainable research environment.
  • Solar Array Tour showcased how NC State generates energy on-site atop Fitts-Woolard Hall.
  • EV Showcase at Pack Football showcased electric vehicles in the tailgate lots prior to the Pack Football game.
  • SolarPack Workshop hosted a workshop on building a multi-occupancy solar car.
  • Post-Game Sort helped divert recyclables and compost from the landfill after the Sustainable Wolfpack football game.
  • Wolfpack On 2 Wheels Sunday Bike Ride took pike participants on a bike tour around Raleigh.

Events and Recordings from Energy Week 2023

  • Keep Our Air Clean Art Showcase displayed student art submitted by North Carolinian K-12 students that focus on actions to reduce air pollution.
  • Fall Energy & Water Competition promotes energy and water reduction within campus residence halls.
  • Energy & Water Conservation Tabling provided tips for campus individuals on conserving resources.
  • NCCETC/The Solar House Tour & Solar Demonstration gave campus and community members an opportunity to explore home solar systems.
  • Micromobility Madness showcased accessible solutions to transportation.
  • Centennial Campus Utility Tour provided a behind-the-scenes look at how NC State generates power on-site.
  • Energy Research Spark Talks showcased student energy-related research in a 3-minute lightning talk competition.
  • Electric Vehicle Showcase celebrated National Drive Electric Week with an EV car show and test drive.
  • Energy Career Panel explored insights from energy industry leaders.
  • Solar Brunch offered free waffles and smoothies made using solar power to campus.
  • Climate Solutions Collaborative Graduate Student Workshop gave graduate students access to interdisciplinary discussions on climate solutions.
  • KIETS Climate Leaders Program Fall Symposium explored climate mitigation and adaptation solutions.
  • PULSTAR Nuclear Reactor Tour provided a behind-the-scenes look at the critical research being done on campus.
  • EV Showcase at Pack Football showcased electric vehicles in the tailgate lots prior to the Pack Football game.

Events and Recordings from Energy Week 2022

  • Energy Week Solar Brunch featuring free waffles and smoothies made using solar power.
  • Energy and Textiles (video recap) activation event showcasing how NC State’s favorite fan gear is made using recycled plastic bottles.
  • Sustainable Wolfpack Football Game promoting energy conservation via the Sustainable Wolfpack Pledge, Energy and Textiles activation in the Fan Zone, and encouraging fans to ride the Red Terror and recycle their cans/bottles with the stadium’s Zero Waste Wolfpack program.
  • Energy Research Spark Talks showcasing student energy-related research in a 3-minute lightning talk competition.
  • Nuclear Energy 101 (recording) discussing the future of clean energy.
  • Centennial Campus Utility Plan Tour providing a behind-the-scenes look at how NC State generates power on-site.
  • Electric Vehicle Showcase celebrating National Drive Electric Week with an EV car show and test drive.
  • The Future of Clean Transportation in North Carolina with the NC Department of Transportation.
  • Centennial Social Hour networking event to learn about new energy-focused projects and relax with colleagues.
  • Schaub Food Science Building Tour showcasing how the Facilities Division Commissioning Team optimizes mechanical systems to save money and reduce carbon emissions.

Events and Recordings from Energy Week 2021

  • Extreme Weather and the Grid (recording): Explore the electrical grid and the forward-thinking needed to strengthen the grid for future extreme weather.
  • Energy Entrepreneurs: Now is the Time (recording): Lessons learned and why now is the best time to start in this growing field.
  • Electricity 101 (recording): How does the grid work in the United States today, and where are we headed?
  • Centennial Campus Utility Plant Tour: Behind-the-scenes at how energy is supplied to campus buildings.
  • Energy Week Pitch Competition Winners
  • SparkTalks about innovative energy-related research across campus.
  • Reverse Pitch: Careers in Clean Energy and Cleantech: This virtual and fast-paced career event is designed to educate students about the energy sector and connect them with relevant employers.

Events and Recordings from Energy Week 2020

Sustain Our Pack

Take charge of campus energy during Energy Week.

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Contact

Contact [email protected] for more information or questions.