This webinar will explore how innovative universities are leveraging comprehensive energy management partnerships to collaborate with private industry, research and deploy new technologies, and meet sustainability goals.

In 2017, The Ohio State University signed a 50-year comprehensive energy management partnership with Ohio State Energy Partners (OSEP), formed by ENGIE North America and Axium Infrastructure. The partnership operates and invests in all the systems that heat, cool and distribute power to the university’s Columbus campus. Sustainability and academic collaborations are cornerstone objectives of the partnership — including near-term goals to reduce overall energy consumption by 25% by 2027 and construct a new Energy Advancement and Innovation Center.

In one such collaboration, ENGIE is joining multidisciplinary teams of Ohio State faculty and graduate students to create a high-functioning and inclusive ecosystem of energy innovators, using The Ohio State University campus as a real-world test bed. Made possible by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Ohio State’s EmPOWERment Program features an interdisciplinary traineeship. Sustainability Institute leaders Kate Bartter and Dr. Jeff Bielicki, will share how the university’s academic mission and industry partnerships are helping to fund research and develop the next generation of leaders in sustainable energy.

This webinar will explain the opportunities available to universities via energy-focused public-private partnerships (P3) with real-world examples. Topics covered will include:

• Structuring partnerships to achieve ambitious sustainability goals and fund infrastructure improvements
• Creating opportunities for academic collaborations that engage students and faculty across schools and departments
• Exploring Ohio State’s sustainability initiatives and NSF EmPOWERment Program

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Presenters

	Serdar Tufekci, Vice President of Major Partnerships, ENGIE North America Serdar Tufekci is the Vice President of Major Partnerships for the ENGIE North America Energy Solutions business. His vision for sustainable energy on campus, and his action-based approach to ENGIE partnerships, led to the building of a premier public-private partnership (P3) between ENGIE-operated Ohio State Energy Partners and The Ohio State University in 2017. Now, Serdar leads ENGIE’s activities regarding all major development activity for commercial/industrial clients and for large campuses. Prior to his success at Ohio State, Serdar served as the vice president of ENGIE’s technical services group, providing engineering, construction, project management, and contract management services to ENGIE in North America. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Istanbul Technical University, an MBA from Purdue University, and a master of science degree in engineering from Ohio State.
	Caitlin Holley, Program Manager, Capital Projects, ENGIE North America Caitlin Holley, P.E., PMP, is the Program Manager, Capital Projects, for ENGIE North America. Caitlin is on the core team within the ENGIE office at The Ohio State University, supporting the university’s energy projects, including energy planning for a carbon-neutral future. As a part of the capital projects team at the university, Caitlin focuses on developing and leading energy projects, as well as creating and managing a toolbox of existing and emerging technologies to fulfill the university’s specific energy needs. Her work at Ohio State includes developing projects with consideration to improving sustainability and reducing carbon footprint, while meeting each facility’s resiliency needs and balancing financial and operational considerations. Caitlin is an alumnus of The Ohio State University, with a B.S. and an M.S. in civil and environmental engineering. She is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Ohio, as well as a certified project management professional. Prior to ENGIE, she worked in energy research for industrial and government agencies in support of emerging technologies and greenhouse gas emission reduction.
	Jeffrey Bielicki, Associate Professor, Civil Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, Energy Sustainability Research Laboratory, The Ohio State University Jeffrey Bielicki, Ph.D., runs the Energy Sustainability Research Laboratory at The Ohio State University College of Engineering. He and his students research issues in which energy and environmental systems and policy interact, specifically on topics related to carbon management, renewable energy, and the energy-water nexus. He is a Research Lead for Sustainable Energy at The Ohio State University’s Sustainability Institute, Program Director for the NSF EmPOWERment Program, and is an Associate Professor with a joint appointment in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering and in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Dr. Bielicki is also on the faculty of the Environmental Science Graduate Program and has a courtesy appointment in the City and Regional Planning section of the Knowlton School of Architecture. Dr. Bielicki holds a Ph.D. (Harvard University), an M.P.A. (Harvard University), an M.B.A. (University of Chicago), and a B.S. (Valparaiso University).
	Kate Bartter, Executive Director of the Sustainability Institute, The Ohio State University At the Sustainability Institute, Kate works with the institute’s faculty director to develop strategic priorities and metrics of success. Her role focuses on staff management and providing strategic leadership for the Sustainability Institute’s non-academic programs. Kate also manages university sustainability initiatives, such as tracking the university’s progress toward sustainability goals, guiding academic collaborations within the comprehensive energy management project, and building effective external sustainability partnerships. In addition, she co-chairs the President and Provost’s Council on Sustainability. Formerly, Kate served as director of Ohio State’s Office of Energy and Environment from 2015 to 2019.