Energy Week
A week of events to increase visibility of the university's energy use, research and opportunity to shape the future of energy.
2025 Energy Week
October 1 – October 7
Explore the 2025 schedule of events highlighting NC State’s energy use, research and innovation.
- October 1-2, KIETS Climate Leaders Program 2025 Fall Symposium
- Explore climate mitigation and adaptation solutions during this 2-day event of engaging speakers, panel discussions, poster presentations and networking opportunities.
- October 1, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Coffee and Conservation Conversations
- Better understand the benefits of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) construction while enjoying coffee at the Floating Grove, NC State’s latest student-designed outdoor structure.
- Registration is not required.
- October 1, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Plant-Forward Lunch
- Enjoy plant-based dishes while learning about energy-saving practices in agriculture and dining.
- October 2, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., Solar Brunch
- Join the Sustainability Stewards for free breakfast refreshments and conversations on energy conservation.
- October 2, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Research Up Close: Constructed Facilities Lab Tour
- Explore a civil engineer’s paradise, where concrete bends, metal freezes and earthquakes occur every day.
- October 2, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Compost Facility Tour
- Discover how NC State closes the loop on campus waste while saving energy through composting at the NC State Compost Facility and Research Cooperative.
- October 3, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Solar House Tours
- Witness how solar panels, passive heating and cooling systems, and energy-efficient appliances work together to create an environmentally friendly living space.
- October 3, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m, Energy & Water Competition Kickoff
- Kickoff the Fall Energy and Water Competition with the Sustainability Stewards and free smoothies!
- October 3, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Solar Array Tour
- Learn how NC State generates energy on-site atop Fitts-Woolard Hall, a LEED Silver-certified building.
- October 3, 4:45 – 6:30 p.m., Bus Ride & Bites
- Discover how easy it is to travel between campus and downtown Raleigh using the bus.
- October 4, Time TBA, EV Showcase at Pack Football
- Stop by the Close-King Indoor Practice Facility before the NC State Sustainable Wolfpack football game to get a hands-on look at electric vehicles.
- October 4, Time TBA, Sustainable Wolfpack Football Game
- Cheer on Pack Football while taking part in game-day sustainability.
- October 5, Time TBA, Pack Football Post-Game Sort
- Join the Zero Waste Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium to save energy by diverting recyclables and compost away from the landfill.
- October 6, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Electric Vehicle Showcase
- Explore and drive electric vehicles, bikes and scooters!
- October 6, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., Centennial Campus Utility Plant Tour
- Learn how NC State generates energy on-site by touring the Centennial Campus Utility Plant.
- October 6, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Energy Research Spark Talks
- Join the Student Energy Club for 3-minute student-led research presentations.
- October 7, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., PULSTAR Nuclear Reactor Tour
- Take a 30-minute tour of the PULSTAR Nuclear Reactor at Burlington Nuclear Engineering Lab.
- October 7, 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., Grillin’ Under the Grove
- Join Sustainable Materials and Technology for a pellet-grilled hotdog lunch, clothing swap and DIY fun – all while learning about energy in the newest student-designed & built Floating Grove.
- October 7, 12:30 – 1:00 p.m., Sustainable Labs at NC State
- Discover how to certify your lab sustainable to save energy, reduce waste and promote a sustainable research environment.
- October 7, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m., SolarPack Workshop
- Learn how to build a multi-occupancy solar vehicle with NC State’s solar vehicle team, SolarPack.
- October 7, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Business Sustainability Collaborative Speaker Series: RODE Architects
- Gain insights into business sustainability careers with NC State Alumni speakers, Kevin Deabler and Eric Robinson, co-founders of RODE Architects.
Previous Energy Week Events
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
- A/V Geeks at the Hunt Library: Last Time We Were Green: Clean Energy: NC State alumnus and founder of A/V Geeks Skip Elsheimer joined representatives from NC State’s Sustainability Office to screen and discuss vintage educational films about alternative energy sources.
- Energy Systems Modeling with High Performance Computing Resources: Dr. Joseph DeCarolis highlights ongoing work using an open source energy system optimization model developed at NC State.
- Entrepreneurship in the Energy Sector: Do You Have Watt It Takes?: Panel discussion with energy entrepreneurs about their industry and careers in clean energy startups.
- Energy Week Virtual Zine: Browse the NC State Energy Week Zine inspired by the question “What does energy mean to you?”
- Power For People: For all the benefits energy provides to our society, the process of generating energy comes at increasing cost.
- Pitch Contest Finale: The live finale of NC State’s Energy Week Pitch Competition.
- Sustainable Finance Strategy: Poole College alum Ramsay Huntley leads Sustainable Finance Strategy at Wells Fargo.
Contact
Contact sustainability@ncsu.edu for more information or questions.