The Energy Forum

Hosted by experts at the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, “The Energy Forum” brings together policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to explore key topics in energy and sustainability.

The Energy Forum is a news podcast hosted by experts at the Center, with 39 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

experts at the Center hosts The Energy Forum, a news show with 39 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #37

  36: Can Batteries Help Power the AI Energy Demand?

  Sep 22, 202634 min

  On Aug. 20, the Center for Energy Studies and the Energy Institute at the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma hosted a joint conference on “ Energy, Technology, and Grid Resilience .” At the conference, fellows joined industry leaders and policymakers to examine how the rapid growth of data centers and artificial intelligence is reshaping electricity demand and raising new questions about grid reliability. As demand grows, so do concerns about whether the U.S.’ current power system can keep pace. Much of the conversation has focused on building new transmission and generation, including behind-the-meter power. But there is another potential part of the solution: long-duration energy storage. In this episode of “ The Energy Forum ,” CES experts Gabriel Collins and Peter Hartley sit down with Jon Parrella , CEO of TerraFlow Energy, to discuss how large-scale batteries could help data centers manage volatile power needs, optimize existing grid infrastructure, and provide backup power during periods of grid stress. This episode was recorded on Aug. 20, 2026. Follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X , Instagram , LinkedIn , and YouTube . Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org .

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  Episode #38

  35: Hormuz Closures, Venezuela’s New Plan, and Oil’s Uncertain Path

  Sep 9, 202617 min

  The global oil market continues to be volatile. Tensions between Iran and the United States persist, driving economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The Strait of Hormuz’s intermittent closures not only have led to a lower available oil supply but also have reduced its reliability as a route for shipping. Recently, the Trump administration announced a new plan to open Venezuelan oil fields to investment, with one stated goal being to fill America’s depleted strategic petroleum reserves. Meanwhile, the demand for petroleum products, especially heating oil, is expected to rise as the colder months approach for those in the Northern H. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Abhi Rajendran and Skip York discuss what these recent developments mean for the global energy market. Featured: Abhi Rajendran, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/abhi-rajendran Skip York, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/harold-skip-york This episode was recorded on Sept. 8, 2026. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X , Instagram , LinkedIn , and YouTube . Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org .

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  Episode #36

  From Baker Briefing: Unpacking Venezuela’s Opaque Oil Deal

  Sep 2, 202627 min

  A recently announced deal between the U.S. and Venezuela to produce 65 billion barrels of oil – roughly a fifth of Venezuela’s total proven oil reserves – has raised questions about its terms. A single Latin American company, NABEP, run by Venezuelan executive Alejandro Betancourt, has been tapped to produce the oil, with part of the company being potentially owned by the U.S. Department of Defense. But it is unclear whether the oil fields covered by the contract can support the scale of production promised. And while the U.S. has an agreement to buy some of the oil produced at cost, do not expect prices at the pump to go down tomorrow. Francisco J. Monaldi , Wallace S. Wilson Fellow in Latin American Energy Policy and director of the Latin America Energy Program, joins Ambassador David M. Satterfield to discuss what is known – and what remains unclear – about the deal, as well as the promise of a Latin American energy boom to come. Featured: Francisco J. Monaldi, Ph.D: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/francisco-j-monaldi . This conversation was recorded on Sept. 1, 2026. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X , Instagram , LinkedIn , and YouTube . Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org .

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  Episode #35

  34: Thinking Big With Small Reactors

  Aug 18, 202624 min

  Small modular reactors, or SMRs, are attracting growing interest as a potential source of reliable, lower-carbon electricity for industries, data centers, and countries that may not need, or be able to finance, a large conventional nuclear plant. Turning that potential into real-world projects, however, requires more than innovative reactor designs—it depends on financing, manufacturing, regulation, workforce training, and public confidence. A new agreement between the United States, South Korea, and Japan aims to strengthen cooperation on deploying SMRs internationally. The partnership could offer countries another option alongside emerging Chinese and Russian nuclear-export models. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Gabriel Collins and Henry Haggard discuss what it would take for SMRs to become a practical, competitive option for countries seeking reliable power and long-term energy security. Featured: Gabriel Collins, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/gabriel-collins Henry Haggard, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/henry-haggard This episode was recorded on Aug. 11, 2026. Follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X , Instagram , LinkedIn , and YouTube . Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org .

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  Episode #34

  33: Why Oil Markets Bounced Back

  Jul 30, 202618 min

  Oil markets have experienced significant volatility across much of July, particularly after the dissolution of a ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., which temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz. The resumption of conflict — Iranian strikes on vessels transiting the strait, Houthi threats to vessels attempting to transit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from the Red Sea, the reimposition of the U.S. blockade, and 13 consecutive days of U.S. strikes on Iran — saw oil prices climb over $100 per barrel, only to settle back again as tensions abated. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Abhi Rajendran and Skip York examine why the market seems increasingly able to absorb geopolitical shocks. Featured: Abhi Rajendran, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/abhi-rajendran . Skip York, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/harold-skip-york . You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X , Instagram , LinkedIn , and YouTube . Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org .

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