RTEC Breakfast Energy Forum
RTEC fosters an integrated approach to energy incorporating technology, economics and policy to stimulate action, with an emphasis on the grand challenges in energy today. At each breakfast forum we will discuss a topic announced in advance. A short presentation by the moderator will introduce the topic and set the stage for discussion. No slides will be presented but a flip chart will be available for on the spot illustration. A moderated discussion will endeavor to shed light on the topic.
We will stop right on 8.30 AM, but the room will be available for another 30 minutes for informal discourse for those that choose to stay. The breakfast forums are scheduled to occur on the third Thursday of each month unless otherwise noted.
Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 
Time: 7.30 – 8.30 AM
Location: Conf. Room A and B, Advanced Technology Building
3021 E Cornwallis Road
Cost: None. RTEC will cover expenses
This month’s topic: Sustainable Energy: Is it a Double Bottom Line Plus an After Thought?
The definition of sustainable enterprises is the so-called “Triple Bottom Line,” wherein economic, ecologic and community benefit are all considered and balanced. In the context of energy, to what extent is the last practiced, and how much emphasis of that is merited? Certainly most of the debate centers on the carbon footprint, sometimes water as well, and of course the profit has to be there for a viable enterprise. The social impact is usually manifest in local opposition not as a part of the equation in investment and growth. We will discuss specific examples of energy production and what an appropriate treatment ought to be for social context. Factors could include economic growth for the local community, equitable distribution of benefits or discomforts and the choices businesses could make that favor the fork in the road most benefitting the community. Technology innovation to enable this will also be discussed.
Breakfast is by Invitation Only. Please send additional requests to dar@rti.org
