Energy Impacts

Colorado Climate Week – RASEI Fellows Discuss AI, Data Centers, and the Future of Clean Energy

Daniel Morton — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 23:56:10 +0000

Colorado Climate Week – RASEI Fellows Discuss AI, Data Centers, and the Future of Clean Energy Daniel Morton Thu, 04/02/2026 - 17:56

Daniel Morton

During Colorado Climate Week 2026, leaders from across academia, industry, and policy came together to explore some of the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the energy transition. The week’s events highlighted the value of collaboration across sectors, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, utilities, and students to exchange ideas and share emerging solutions.

Among the many themes discussed, one area that drew particular attention was the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), data centers, and clean energy. As AI technologies continue to scale rapidly, so too does the energy demand required to support them. This growing demand raises important questions about how to power digital infrastructure sustainably, and how these same technologies might also accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more resilient energy grid system.

CU Boulder researchers and faculty played an active role in these conversations throughout the week. Panel discussions featuring RASEI Fellows Kyri Baker and Bri-Mathias Hodge offered different perspectives around the impact of integrating datacenters into the grid.

The discussion centered on a key tension: while AI and data centers are driving significant increases in electricity demand, they also present new opportunities to improve how energy systems are planned, operated, and optimized. Rather than viewing data centers solely as a challenge for the grid, the panel explored how they could become more flexible and responsive participants in the energy system.

One area of focus was the potential for better alignment between data center operations and the availability of renewable energy. As more wind and solar resources come online, managing variability becomes an ongoing challenge. Panelists discussed different ways in which the combination of renewable energy and the rise of demand with datacenters can be considered as complimentary in approaches for balancing the grid.

Throughout the discussions, Baker and Hodge emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary approaches. Addressing the energy impacts of AI is not only a technical problem, it also involves community engagement, policy frameworks, and collaboration between traditionally separate sectors. Their insights reflected a broader theme of Colorado Climate Week: that complex climate and energy challenges require integrated solutions.

For attendees, the session provided a great opportunity to learn more, dispel some myths, and gain insights into the concerns and areas of growth that those in the industry are considering.

Daniel Morton — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:34:35 +0000

Right Here, Right Now 2025 Roundup Daniel Morton Thu, 12/11/2025 - 11:34

The second Right Here, Right Now Climate Summit was held in 2025. While the main event was hosted at Oxford University, in the UK, the plenary event was a 24 hour global event that explored climate change and human rights, that brought together leading voices in climate justice.

The hosts recorded events across the entires summit and have now made a broad range of materials available on-demand. Check out some of the resources below to learn more about the important discussions and ideas brought to the fore by this summit.

2025 Right Here, Right Now Global Plenary Session

Catch up on the 24-hour global plenary exploring climate change and human rights, bringing together leading voices in climate justice from across the globe.

Watch it now

Browse the sessions from the Global Plenary Session

Find sessions on law, health, Indigenous perspectives, just transition, youth, climate finance, journalism, and much more. You can explore a detailed list of the sessions in the summit program.

Browse the recordings here

Download the Educational Materials Pack

A Pack of educational materials on climate change, human rights, and climate justice is available for download at the summit website. For use by teachers, parents, and carers, and anyone interested in learning more about climate justice, especially secondary school educators.

Download the packet here

Catch up on the local Oxford Program

View a selection of recordings and write-ups of local events from Oxford’s Right Here, Right Now local program of events, including a lecture from Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Check out the local program here

December 2025

Off

Traditional

White

RASEI Fellow Merritt Turetsky takes the TEDx Boulder Stage to discuss how Bogs are the real superheroes

Daniel Morton — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 22:32:31 +0000

RASEI Fellow Merritt Turetsky takes the TEDx Boulder Stage to discuss how Bogs are the real superheroes Daniel Morton Fri, 12/05/2025 - 15:32

December 2025

Off

Traditional

White

Impacts of novel wildfire disturbance on landcover and wildlife in boreal North America

Daniel Morton — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:50:25 +0000

Impacts of novel wildfire disturbance on landcover and wildlife in boreal North America Daniel Morton Thu, 11/13/2025 - 10:50

FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, 2025, 13

Off

Traditional

White