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From events to a new climate-focused report, here are 3 things to know in Houston energy transition news

Houston energy transition folks — here's what to know to start your week. Photo via Getty Images

Editor's note: Dive headfirst into the new week with three quick things to catch up on in Houston's energy transition: a roundup of events not to miss, a new study puts a dollar sign to Texas' disasters per capita, and three organizations are teaming up for an August event.

When it comes to weather-related events, Texas is expensive

Texas — home to everything from tornadoes to hurricanes — cracks the top 10 of a new report ranking states based on impact from weather-related events.

SmartAsset's new report factored in a myriad of data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to identify which states face the most financial risk due to various weather events. In the report, the states were ranked by the total expected annual financial losses per person. Texas ranked at No. 10. In Texas, the total expected annual loss per person is estimated as $283.15. Click here to see that figure broken down.

3 organizations in Houston receive funding for DOE-backed programming

Later this year, a Wells Fargo Foundation-backed event that's co-administered by the United States Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory will feature programming from three Houston organizations.

The Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, a $50 million program, announced its eighth cycle of IN2 Channel Partner Strategic Awards. The program is distributing $767,000 across 15 organizations within the Channel Partner network to create impactful workshops at the upcoming Camp Cleantech event in August at CSU Spur in Denver, Colorado.

Houston-based Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator, as well as Activate Global and Greentown Labs, which each have Houston locations, have been named among the awards recipients. The organizations will present workshops aimed at providing critical tools and insights for clean tech startups. Read more about the event and grants.

Events not to miss

Put these Houston-area energy-related events on your calendar.

  • Center for Houston’s Future and the Houston Energy Transition Initiative present a panel and attendee Q&A on Wednesday, May 1, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Partnership Tower 701 Avenida de las Americas, Suite 900. The program will be on the National Petroleum Council’s new report on hydrogen: “Harnessing Hydrogen: A Key Element of the U.S. Energy Future.” Register.
  • Offshore Technology Conference returns to Houston May 6 to 9. Register.
  • Greentown Houston's next Transition on Tap, a monthly networking event, is Wednesday, May 8. Register.
  • The University of Houston is hosting a professional-level course focused on hydrogen. The course is open for registration now, and the orientation event will take place on May 15. Learn more.

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A View From HETI

Rice University's László Kürti has been researching a molecule known as N4 that releases large amounts of energy. Photo by Jeff Fitlow/ Courtesy Rice University.

Rice University chemistry professor László Kürti was named as a recipient of the 2025 Ross M. Brown Investigator Award from the California Institute of Technology’s Brown Institute for Basic Sciences.

Kürti is one of eight mid-career faculty members to receive up to $2 million over five years for their research in the physical sciences.

“I’m greatly honored,” Kürti said in a news release. “We will learn a tremendous amount in the next five years and gain a much clearer understanding of the challenges ahead.”

Kürti was selected for the research he’s been developing for six years on a molecule called tetrahedral N4, which studies show can release large amounts of energy on demand. The molecule can also decompose directly into nitrogen gas without producing carbon dioxide or water vapor. Kürti believes N4 can be used as a "new type of fuel for vehicles."

“Eventually, N4 and other stable, neutral polynitrogen cages could be used to power rockets, helping us reach the moon or Mars faster and with heavier payloads,” he added in this release.

The Brown Investigator Awards were founded by entrepreneur and Caltech alumnus Ross M. Brown and established by the Brown Science Foundation in 2020. The organization has recognized 21 scientists over the last five years.

“Midcareer faculty are at a time in their careers when they are poised and prepared to make profound contributions to their fields,” Brown said in the news release. “My continuing hope is that the resources provided by the Brown Investigator Awards will allow them to pursue riskier innovative ideas that extend beyond their existing research efforts and align with new or developing passions, especially during this time of funding uncertainty.”

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