taking notes
Things to know: Houston pipeline fire's impact, events not to miss, and more
Editor's note: Dive headfirst into the new week with three quick things to catch up on in Houston's energy transition.
Podcast to stream: Houston energy tech leader on breaking down industry silos, sustainable digitization
Ken Nguyen oversees the implementation of new technologies at bp, which has its United States headquarters in Houston, and that includes software and hardtech, from cybersecurity to the digitization of the industry, which is an integral part of bp's energy transition plan.
"For bp, we do feel like as we transition as an international oil and gas company into an integrated energy company and we lean into the energy transition, the adoption of new technology is a critical part of making that viable for the planet and for the company," he says on the Houston Innovators Podcast.
According to Nguyen, principal technical program manager at bp, the company has invested its resources into exploring energy transition technologies like electric vehicle charging — including opening a fast-charging station at its Houston office — and renewable energy, including a solar farm about 10 miles northeast of Corpus Christi. Read more.
Finally out: Houston-area pipeline fire burns for 4 days
A pipeline fire that burned in a Houston suburb for four days finally went out Thursday as authorities announced a criminal investigation into the blaze that had roared into a towering flame, forcing neighborhoods to evacuate and melting parts of nearby cars.
Before the fire fully stopped Thursday evening, officials announced that human remains were found in an SUV that had been next to the flame since the explosion happened Monday. Investigators say the fire began after the driver of that car went through a fence alongside a Walmart parking lot and struck an above-ground valve.
Officials in Deer Park, where the explosion occurred, described the crash as an accident, and said police and local FBI agents have not found evidence of a coordinated or terrorist attack.
“This has developed into a criminal investigation and will be actively ongoing until more information is available,” the city said in a statement late Thursday. Read more.
Events not to miss
Put these Houston-area energy-related events on your calendar.
- The Center for Houston's Future's Fall Salon: Carbon Capture and Storage — A Critical Tool for a Low-Carbon Future is taking place Wednesday, September 25, from 7:30 to 9 am.
- Baker Botts and the Center for Energy Studies will co-host their eighth annual energy summit on October 1 and October 2. Some programing will be livestreamed.
- The Center for Houston's Future's Future of Global Energy Conference will be held on October 9 at the Hilton Americas-Houston.
- World Geothermal Energy Day will take place at Karbach Brewery on October 17.
- Energy Day, Houston’s largest free family festival showcasing exhibits focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, will take place in downtown on October 19.