Boston Climate Tech: Jan 12-Feb 1, 2024
Big Dig & COP28 Retrospective, Become a Certified Passive House Designer, YPE Happy hour, & more
Hi all!
This is Boston Climate Tech. This newsletter is a summary of community-submitted climate tech events in the Greater Boston area coming up in the next few weeks.
Use this calendar or table view if you’d like to sort/filter or view ALL events in the future.
To submit events, use this form
Announcements
A few announcements before the event list:
⚡ Interconnection queue data viewer
I keep reading about how interconnection queues are a big impediment to clean energy deployment. I made a site to track interconnection queues across all the ISOs and 20+ utilities as well. Data is updated daily.
👉 Check it out here interconnection.fyi
Climate tech jobs
🔍Looking for a climate tech job? Check out ClimateTechList Jobs - a live job openings tracker with over 31,000 jobs from 1,000+ climate tech companies, covering roles of all sorts- chemical engineer, sales, software, scientist, etc. Updated daily.
ClimateTechList is the web’s most comprehensive climate tech job search tool.
Currently, there are 520 climate tech job openings in Greater Boston alone.
📣 Interested in sponsoring/advertising on this newsletter (> 1,500 opens per issue)? - email me here.
Cheers,
The Big Dig: What Can We Learn from Boston’s Last 20th Century Mega-Project? - MIT Events: 1/16 Tue
MIT reflects on COP28 - MIT Events: 1/17 Wed
Small Cities in America: A Key to Sustainable Growth - MIT Events: 1/18 Thu
Become a Certified Passive House Designer | MassCEC: 1/18 Thu
IAP: Computing for Sustainability via Sustainable Computing - MIT Events: 2/1 Thu
2024 Cleantech Open Northeast Boston Kickoff Party - Greentown Labs: 2/13 Tue
Climatetech Intern Fair - Greentown Labs: 2/15 Thu
The Big Dig: What Can We Learn from Boston’s Last 20th Century Mega-Project? - MIT Events
🕑 Start time
1/16/2024 Tue 1:30 PM
🕓 End time
1/16/2024 Tue 3:00 PM
📍Location
Virtual
📍Address
📝 Notes
The completion of Interstate Highways 93, 95 and 90 in Boston - known as the Central; Artery/Tunnel Project or the “Big Dig” - is a multi-faceted story of urban transportation policy and planning, citizen activism and its impacts on how transportation systems were built in the last decades of the 20th century through the present day, the resolution of extraordinary design and engineering complexities, and the politics of paying for such a massive infrastructure intervention. It is also a story about urban renewal - not in the classic mid-1950s sense but in a more modern sense of knitting communities together following the neglectful planning of mid-century America.
This IAP offering requires participants to listen to each of the 9 episodes of the recently released WGBH news podcast, “The Big Dig.” Each 90 minute session will require participants to offer reaction, reflection and insights from the podcast, and provide an opportunity to I ask questions of two MIT lecturers and former state transportation secretaries: the architect of the Big Dig, Fred Salvucci, and the architect of the Metropolitan Highway System operating and funding legislation, Jim Aloisi. Fred and Jim will facilitate the conversation and attempt to link lessons learned from the Big Dig to the planning and policy context that informs our thinking today.
Open to MIT community only (students, staff, faculty, DUSP alums). To resister, email Jim Aloisi ([email protected]).
🔗 Registration link
https://calendar.mit.edu/event/the_big_dig_what_can_we_learn_from_bostons_last_20th_century_mega-project?ref=bostonclimatetech.com
MIT reflects on COP28 - MIT Events
🕑 Start time
1/17/2024 Wed 3:00 PM
🕓 End time
1/17/2024 Wed 4:00 PM
📍Location
Building E40, 496
📍Address
1 AMHERST ST, Cambridge, MA 02142
📝 Notes
The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP28, ended in December, and approximately 30 members of the MIT community were among the 100,000 attendees. While there were some major takeaways from the conference, much of the progress happened on a smaller scale, in meetings and side events. Come debrief with the attendees, to learn about some of the specific interests and goals that members of the MIT delegation had in attending the COP, and the value that they gained from participating.
Please note: This event is open to the MIT community only. If you are attending remotely via Zoom, please use your MIT email to join here. If you’d like to get updates on CIS climate activities, please join our email list.
Questions? Contact Madeline Smith at [email protected].
🔗 Registration link
https://calendar.mit.edu/event/mit_reflects_on_cop28?ref=bostonclimatetech.com
Small Cities in America: A Key to Sustainable Growth - MIT Events
🕑 Start time
1/18/2024 Thu 8:00 AM
🕓 End time
1/18/2024 Thu 9:00 AM
📍Location
Portland, ME
📍Address
📝 Notes
Come for a day-long visit to learn about planning issues and efforts in the Forest City with the former Planning & Urban Development Director for Portland. We will travel by transit to experience how an innovative transit system works in a small city, and meet with city planning officials working on economic, housing, climate resilience and transportation issues.
Well known for its great architecture and food, Portland is rapidly becoming a place where climate migrants, affluent retirees, and those seeking urban amenities at a smaller scale are relocating. As a result, housing prices are up – as is homelessness. How does a Small City make sure any success is equitable? How do you make transit and walkability work in a place with relatively little traffic congestion? We will learn about how this small city by the ocean is trying to guide growth and change sustainably and justly. We will close out the day with a visit to a redevelopment district and one of the many tasting rooms in town, before taking the Downeaster train back to Boston.
This session will use this visit to learn about an emerging trend in urban development – the rise of the Small City. More than previous generations, Millennials are choosing to locate in these second- and third-tier cities as a way of balancing quality of life, employment opportunities, and the benefits of city amenities. The pandemic and increases in working “wherever” appear to be driving this trend even more quickly. How do we make sure current residents can stay when new residents inevitably drive up the cost of housing and create competition for employment? What about social services and the opportunity faced by New Americans, who are also living in Small Cities?
Be prepared for a long but interesting day, starting around 7 am. and returning to the Boston area around 8 pm. You should plan to dress for a Maine winter, including proper footwear, warm socks, and layers, as we will be walking outdoors for parts of the day.
Enrollment is limited to 12. Please send a short email of interest to Jeff Levine at [email protected] before 12/15/23. Given limited spots and likely strong interest, admitted students must commit to attending, except in case of illnesses or other serious issues. Preference given to DUSP students.
🔗 Registration link
https://calendar.mit.edu/event/small_cities_in_america_iap?ref=bostonclimatetech.com
Become a Certified Passive House Designer | MassCEC
🕑 Start time
1/18/2024 Thu 9:00 AM
🕓 End time
1/18/2024 Thu 11:00 AM
📍Location
Virtual
📍Address
📝 Notes
Billions of dollars are being invested in creating energy-efficient buildings. Will you be able to build them? The industry is moving forward, and the best way to keep up is by becoming a Certified Passive House Designer. Our flexible hybrid training—with live events running in two different time zones—will ensure that you’re prepared for the exam and help you on your way to building a better world. Courses begin January 18th.
🔗 Registration link
https://www.masscec.com/event/become-certified-passive-house-designer?ref=bostonclimatetech.com
👉 Event title
Young Professionals in Energy Boston Happy Hour
🕑 Start time
1/24/2024 Wed 5:00 PM
🕓 End time
1/24/2024 Wed 8:00 PM
📍Location
The Point Boston
📍Address
147 Hanover St, Boston, Massachusetts, US, 02108
📝 Notes
Join YPE for our first happy hour of the year!
We are so excited to meet all of you. Bring your friends!
Come by and meet the 2024 YPE board!
🔗 Registration link
https://www.linkedin.com/events/ypebostonjanuaryhappyhour7148440173398171650/comments/?ref=bostonclimatetech.com
👉 Event title
IAP: Computing for Sustainability via Sustainable Computing - MIT Events
🕑 Start time
2/1/2024 Thu 10:00 AM
🕓 End time
2/1/2024 Thu 11:00 AM
📍Location
Building 45, 8th Floor
📍Address
51 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
📝 Notes
Speakers: Sara Beery (EECS) | Abigail Bodner (EAPS/EECS) | Priya Donti (EECS) | Jinhua Zhao (DUSP)
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. Machine learning can be a powerful tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping society adapt to a changing climate, ranging from smart grids, disaster management, and improved resilience, to decarbonizing industry and reimaging the built environment, there are many high-impact problems where existing gaps can be filled by machine learning, in collaboration with other fields. On the other hand, the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions impact of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector is significant and dynamic. Estimates of “business as usual” future energy and emissions impacts of ICT projects are upwards of 20% of global energy use and carbon dioxide emissions by 2030. These estimates are without consideration of the ubiquitous use of deep neural networks and well before the advent of the large language model. The complexity in architecture, usage patterns, and size of the parameter space associated with generative AI and large language models comes with staggering increased energy use implications of computing both in training and inference.
This panel will describe efforts to leverage these tools while addressing their computational burden, to support mitigation efforts such as decarbonizing electricity systems, enhancing natural ecosystems, and achieving sustainable materials design and manufacture.
Part of the Expanding Horizons in Computing IAP series presented by the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. See the full list of activities at computing.mit.edu/ExpandingHorizons.
🔗 Registration link
https://calendar.mit.edu/event/computing_for_sustainability_via_sustainable_computing?ref=bostonclimatetech.com
2024 Cleantech Open Northeast Boston Kickoff Party - Greentown Labs
🕑 Start time
2/13/2024 Tue 5:00 PM
🕓 End time
2/13/2024 Tue 7:00 PM
📍Location
Greentown Labs Somerville
📍Address
444 Somerville Ave Somerville, Massachusetts 02143 United States
📝 Notes
Since 2005, more than 70% of Cleantech Open’s reporting U.S. alumni companies are still active and have collectively raised over $2B in external funding.
Learn how the accelerator program can help you develop your cleantech venture and how to apply to the accelerator. We welcome entrepreneurs, students, investors, savvy technologists, and those interested in joining our growing cleantech community.
AGENDA
About Cleantech Open – meet the Cleantech Open Northeast team and learn about opportunities to be involved.
Alumni Lightning Talks – hear from Cleantech Open alumni about their experiences in the program.
Entrepreneur Introductions – tell us about yourself and your clean technology & business. To participate in this part of the program, please sign up when you register!
Q&A – ask your questions about the program, application process, and more.
Networking – meet people in the local ecosystem who are interested in and support Boston cleantech entrepreneurs in a wide variety of ways.
The Cleantech Open early bird application is open NOW through February 29! For more information, read The 2024 Cleantech Open Northeast 1-pager which includes application info & deadlines.
EVENT SPEAKERS
Kevin Knobloch, CEO, Greentown Labs
David Wilson, Senior Invesment Associate, MassCEC
Joe Curtatone, President, NECEC
Jung Starrett & Nick Hill, Mentor Committee Co-Chairs, Cleantech Open Northeast
🔗 Registration link
https://greentownlabs.com/event/cleantech-open-northeast-kickoff-2024/?ref=bostonclimatetech.com
Climatetech Intern Fair - Greentown Labs
🕑 Start time
2/15/2024 Thu 4:00 PM
🕓 End time
2/15/2024 Thu 6:00 PM
📍Location
Greentown Labs Somerville
📍Address
444 Somerville Ave Somerville, Massachusetts 02143 United States
📝 Notes
There’s a place for everyone in climatetech! Join us to connect with cutting edge startups looking for bright and eager talent.
Calling all students and soon-to-be graduates! Please join us for our annual Intern Fair, which focuses on connecting rockstar interns directly with Greentown Labs’ network of cutting-edge climatetech startups looking for bright and eager talent.
At this internship fair, students from Boston and beyond can connect with Greentown startups and learn more about opportunities at their companies. Attendees will be able to connect in person with the startups that are not only developing climatetech solutions but building a climate workforce that is ready to harness the massive economic opportunities of the energy transition.
There’s a place for everyone in climatetech, whether they’ve previously worked in traditional energy, have experience tackling climate change, or are new to the climate and energy fields. The jobs are here. We just need you!
THE TYPES OF ROLES YOU’LL FIND AT THE FAIR:
Business Administration
Data
Engineering
Marketing
Operations
Sales
Software
And more!
You can view all job openings on our careers page here.
REGISTER NOW
Stay tuned—registration coming soon!
VENUE INFORMATION
Parking is incredibly limited at Greentown Labs and we encourage attendees to consider taking advantage of public transportation. We’re a short 1-mile walk from the Harvard MBTA station down Kirkland and Washington Streets. Union Square in Somerville is also easily accessible via the #86 and #91 MBTA buses. We offer indoor bike parking on-site and the closest Bluebikes stations are at Dane St., Conway Park and Union Square.
🔗 Registration link
https://greentownlabs.com/event/climatetech-intern-fair-2024/?ref=bostonclimatetech.com