[act-ma] Energy (and Other) Events

Sun Apr 11 19:49:51 PDT 2010

MIT

Monday, April 12, 2010
Transportation at MIT presents Mohammed Quddus on Advanced Map-Matching  
Techniques
Speaker: Mohammed Quddus, Department of Civil and Building  
Loughborough University, UK
Time: 11:45a–1:00p
Location: 32-G449
Advanced map-matching techniques for critical surface transportation  
applications

Map-matching techniques integrate positioning data with spatial road  
network data in order to provide the real-time, accurate and reliable  
positioning information required by many location-based Intelligent  
Transportation Systems (ITS). Map-matching, as a core element of ITS,  
has the potential to make a significant contribution to tackling  
transportation-related problems including the alleviation of  
congestion and its negative impacts on health, the environment,  
safety, and the economy. Furthermore, map-matching brings with it the  
added potential for facilitating an unprecedented capability to  
support the navigation functions of emerging high-end ITS services.  
Critical to the performance of map-matching techniques are the various  
relevant data (positioning sensors data, digital spatial road network  
data and roadway attributes, and traffic data), and the methods used  
in map-matching processes. Although significant advances have been  
achieved in all of these areas, map-matching still struggles to  
support the more demanding (e.g., mission critical) surface  
transportation applications, especially those requiring high  
navigation accuracy, quality (integrity), continuity, and  
availability. This is partly due to poor quality data, reliable  
methods to integrate data from different sources and no or poor  
treatment of the corresponding uncertainties.

Open to: the general public

Sponsor(s): Transportation at MIT

For more information, contact:
Sally Chapman
transportation.seminars-bounces at MIT.EDU

Monday, April 12, 2010
Building Technology Lecture Series / THE COST BARRIER IN ACHIEVING  
DEEP ENERGY SAVINGS IN HOUSING
Speaker: ED CONNELLY, President, New Ecology, Inc., Boston MA
Time: 12:30p–2:00p
Location: 7-431, AVT
Building Technology Lecture Series

THE COST BARRIER IN ACHIEVING DEEP ENERGY SAVINGS IN HOUSING
Through presentation of a case study on a successful deep energy  
retrofit, Ed will discuss the challenges of achieving deep energy  
savings in housing renovation, including whether seeking to make  
projects cost-effective on a building-by-building basis limits deeper  
energy savings. He will draw on New Ecology?s work as consultant on  
multiple projects, on recent efforts to track energy use in large  
multifamily portfolios, and on his long term interest in the costs and  
benefits of greening.

For the past two decades Ed has worked to integrate environmental  
stewardship and development. His work at NEI has combined providing  
practical advice on greening new construction projects and building  
retrofits with research and dissemination of findings to help  
transform the practices of developers, community organizations,  
builders, architects and engineers. Current projects include  
developing WegoWise, an on-line data base to track utility usage in  
portfolios of multifamily housing; launching BuildingWell, a wiki for  
practitioners in retrofitting existing housing; advising on the  
development of a new utility-sponsored conservation program for low- 
income multifamily properties, and developing a program to provide  
energy management services to small and mid-sized property owners.

Open to: the general public

Cost: Free

Sponsor(s): Department of Architecture, Building Technology Program

For more information, contact:
Alexandra Mulcahy
617-253-0463
amulcahy at mit.edu

Monday, April 12, 2010

Urbanization, Poverty and Land-Use in the Megacities of South Asia

Speaker: Elizabeth Dean Hermann Professor of Urban Studies and  
Landscape Architecture, Design for Development, and the History of  
Islamic Architecture and Urbanism, Rhode Island School of Design

Time: 5:30p–7:30p

Location: 3-133

Aga Khan Lecture

Open to: the general public

Monday, April 12, 2010

"The Story Behind the Food"

Speaker: Bon Appetit Fellow Dayna Burtness
Time: 7:00p–9:30p

Location: 4-145

A presentation about Bon Appetit's initiatives such as Farm to Fork,  
Low Carbon Diet, and the new farm surveys the fellows are conducting.  
All students and faculty interested in learning more about where their  
food comes from, sustainable agricultural practices, and social and  
economic justice for farmers and farm workers are encouraged to  
attend. The event is free.

Web site: www.circleofresponsibility.com

Open to: the general public

Cost: Free

Sponsor(s): Bon Appetit Management Co.

For more information, contact:
Marietta Lamarre-Buck
617-253-4951
mlbuck at mit.edu

Sponsor(s): Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture

For more information, contact:
Jose Luis Arguello
253-1400
akpiarch at mit.edu

Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Lunchtime talk with Top Sprouts CEO Alice Leung
Speaker: Alice Leung
Time: 12:00p–1:00p
Location: E51-151
The MIT Food & Agriculture Collaboration and Net Impact are hosting  
Top Sprouts (http://topsprouts.com) for a talk at noon on Tuesday  
April 13. Lunch will be provided through the generous support of the  
GSC Funding Board.

Top Sprouts is a local company that works with building owners to  
develop sustainably-designed rooftop greenhouse systems for year round  
food production, green building synergies and a healthy return on  
investment. Their goal is to develop efficient on-site food production  
systems for every community in need of local fresh produce. Top  
Sprouts is looking for early adopter partners to install modular  
greenhouse systems that will both provide freshly-picked produce for  
that community and catalyze action from more institutions.

Open to: the general public

Sponsor(s): MIT Agriculture Forum, MIT Food and Agriculture  
Collaborative

For more information, contact:
Kerrie Lenhart
kerrie.lenhart at sloan.mit.edu

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Creating a Non-Linear Visual Language

Speaker: Timothee Ingen-Housz

Time: 3:00p–4:30p

Location: E14-633

The lecture will start with a presentation of the non-linear graphic  
language "Elephant's Memory" and its core feature?an associative  
grammar dubbed "molecular." A series of illustrated and animated  
examples will attempt to accustom the audience with its basics.  
Several exercises may involve audience participation.

We shall then discuss the communication tools and toys that could be  
developed around this language, or any linguistic system based on a  
similar grammatical premise. We will then engage in a discussion on  
various topics openly related to invented languages, their  
developmental process and semantic scope, the relationship between  
technology and new language utopias, and how could such a system be  
reﬂecting the nature of language learning at all.

Web site: http://media.mit.edu/events/2010/04/13/talk-creating-non-linear-visua
l-language

Open to: the general public

Sponsor(s): Media Lab, Cognitive Machines

For more information, contact:
Karina Lundahl
4-3057
lundahl at media.mit.edu

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Environmental Impacts of Aviation

Speaker: Ian Waitz, Aeronautics and Astronautics
Time: 4:00p–5:00p

Location: 3-270

Transportation at MIT Seminar Series

In Spring 2010, the Transportation at MIT seminar series continues by  
drawing knowledge from MIT research that is applicable to  
transportation. Our goal is to strengthen the community of MIT  
researchers by sharing information in the following areas: airlines,  
automation, behavior and economics, energy sources, environmental  
impacts, logistics and supply chains, networks, propulsion, system  
control, urban challenges, and vehicles.

Web site: http://transportation.mit.edu/events.php

Open to: the general public

Cost: Free Admission to MIT and General Public

Sponsor(s): Transportation at MIT

For more information, contact:
Rebecca Fearing
transportation at mit.edu

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Micro Energy Harvesters: Challenges and Opportunities
Speaker: Khalil Najafi, Professor, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Time: 4:00p–5:00p

Location: 34-101

MTL Seminar Series
Refreshments at 3:30 p.m.

MTL hosts a series of talks each semester known as the MTL Seminar  
Series. Speakers for the series are selected on the basis of their  
knowledge and competence in the areas of microelectronics research,  
manufacturing, or policy. The series is held on the MIT Campus during  
the academic year on Tuesdays at 4:00 pm. For more information  
regarding the MTL Seminar Series, send e-mail to valeried at mit.edu.

Web site: http://www-mtl.mit.edu/seminars

Open to: the general public

Cost: free

Sponsor(s): Microsystems Technology Laboratories

For more information, contact:
Valerie DiNardo
253-9328
valeried at mit.edu

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Antarctica 2009: A Continent in a State of Alert: HSH Prince Albert II  
of Monaco
Speaker: His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco

Time: 4:00p–5:30p

Location: 10-250

His Serene Highness, Prince Albert II of Monaco, will be featuring his  
film, Antarctica 2009: A Continent in a State of Alert, and will  
remark about his 17-day trek to meet researchers and to learn about  
the scientific projects being conducted in Antarctica. His journey was  
facilitated in response to an invitation by the scientific community  
to 'bring Antarctic Science to the public eye,'according to Jose  
Retamales, Director of the Chilean Polar Institute. A panel discussion  
with the Prince, and Professors Ernest Moniz, Ronald Prinn, and Thomas  
Herring and a question and answer session will follow.

Open to: the general public

Sponsor(s): Resource Development, President's Office, MIT Energy  
Initiative

For more information, contact:
Rebecca Marshall-Howarth
617-715-5382
rhowarth at mit.edu

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

MIT Energy Club and Sustainability at MIT Social + Pledge Effort Kickoff
Time: 5:30p–7:30p

Location: 50, Muddy Charles Pub

Come join Sustainability at MIT and the MIT Energy Club for a joint  
social. Enjoy refreshments and meet others interested in energy, the  
environment, and sustainability. Also, find out what the MIT Pledge  
Effort is all about and how you can get involved  
(graduationpledge.org). Hope to see you there!

Open to: the general public

Sponsor(s): Sustainability at MIT, MIT Energy Club

For more information, contact:
Cecilia Scott
cecilias at MIT.EDU

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Energy 101: Biofuels
Speaker: Addison Stark

Time: 12:00p–1:00p

Location: 3-133

Energy 101
Energy 101 is a lecture series put on by the MIT Energy Club focusing  
on the basic technology, policy, business, and economic issues  
surrounding many basic energy topics. Lectures will be held once or  
twice and month and are delivered by students.

Come hear a student who is an expert in biofuels give a primer on this  
emerging energy source. Topics will include but are not limited to  
technology, economics, and regulation and policy surrounding this  
source of energy.

Food will be provided.

This event is co-sponsored with the GSC.

Open to: the general public

Sponsor(s): MIT Energy Club

For more information, contact:
Tim Heidel
energy-events at mit.edu

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

SMARTpower: Climate Change, the Smart Grid, and the Future of Electric  
Utilities
Speaker: Dr. Peter Fox-Penner

Time: 3:00p–5:00p

Location: E51-325

Dr. Peter Fox-Penner will provide attendees with an overview of the  
rapidly changing landscape of the utility industry and how current  
challenges will shape its transformation. The potential for a national  
policy to address the impact of climate change is pressuring utilities  
to shift their focus to the development and acquisition of new sources  
of renewable energy and low-carbon power. Meanwhile, a technical  
revolution known as the Smart Grid is underway in the electric power  
sector, providing dramatic new opportunities for customers to control  
their power usage and for utilities to change the way they operate. In  
addition, interest in renewable energy infrastructure has exploded and  
the electric industry is planning significant expansion of  
transmission lines and the creation of a national transmission  
superhighway.

These unprecedented developments will prompt utilities to undergo the  
largest and most significant changes in their history, transforming  
them from regulated commodity energy firms to low-carbon network  
operators. Dr. Fox-Penner will discuss how and why the utility  
industry must adapt to the climate imperative by examining the  
industry?s technology, cost characteristics, and ability to function  
as a sustainable business, as well as the practi?cal and political  
dimensions of making these dramatic changes.

Open to: the general public

Sponsor(s): MIT Energy Club

For more information, contact:
MIT Energy Club
energyclub at mit.edu

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Energy Discussions: Agriculture and Energy with Christina Ingersoll
Time: 6:00p–7:00p

Location: 26-210

Join members of the MIT Energy Club for a discussion of energy issues  
related to agriculture. Our discussion on energy and agriculture will  
go beyond biofuels to talk more broadly about the energy use required by
different types of agriculture: commodity crop, specialty crop, dairy,  
livestock, conservation tillage, organic, and permaculture. We will
discuss food miles, renewable energy use on farm, and some of the  
cutting edge opportunities for farmers to reduce their reliance on  
imported sources of energy for a more efficient food production system.

Please prepare for the event by looking at the documents given in the  
links provided on the event web page.

A light dinner will be served.

Web site: http://www.mitenergyclub.org/events-and-programs/discussion-series/

Open to: the general public

Sponsor(s): MIT Energy Club

For more information, contact:
Rebecca Walsh Dell
rwdell at mit.edu

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Legatum Lecture featuring venture investor Chuck Lacy
Speaker: Chuck Lacy; Founder and President of The Barred Rock Fund

Time: 5:00p–6:00p

Location: 54-100, Reception in the Bush Room at 6 p.m.

"Financing your start-up like you want to own it." Don't sell your  
start-up before you start! Hear from a veteran entrepreneur and  
venture investor about financing options for the go getter start-up.

Web site: http://legatum.mit.edu/LacyLecture2

Open to: the general public

Cost: free

Sponsor(s): Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship

For more information, contact:
Anna Omura
617-324-1875
legatum at mit.edu

Friday, April 16, 2010

Lunch with TLO Head of Energy Technology, Chris Noble
Time: 12:00p–1:00p

Discuss the ins-and-outs of energy entrepreneurship with Chris Noble,  
head of energy technology at the MIT Technology Licensing Office. With  
exposure to all the energy tech rolling out of MIT labs, Chris has his  
finger to the pulse of energy entrepreneurship in Cambridge. This  
event is only open to members of the MIT community. If you're  
interested in attending, please e-mail zcordero at mit.edu for the lunch  
location.

Open to: the general public

Sponsor(s): MIT Energy Club

For more information, contact:
MIT Energy Club
zcordero at mit.edu

Harvard

Water Scarcity: How Technology Can Help Solve the Problem
WHEN
Mon., Apr. 12, 2010, 12 – 1 p.m.
WHERE
Room 226, Suite 200-North, 124 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge MA
GAZETTE CLASSIFICATION
Classes/Workshops, Environmental Sciences
ORGANIZATION/SPONSOR
Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation; Program on  
Conservation Innovation at The Harvard Forest, Harvard University
SPEAKER(S)
Richard Allen, University of Idaho
William J. Kramber, Idaho Department of Water Resources
COST
Free
CONTACT INFO
617.496.4491, christina_marchand at hks.harvard.edu
NOTE
A light lunch will be served.
http://www.ash.harvard.edu/Home/News-Events/Events2/Water-Scarcity-How-Technology-Can-Help-Solve-the-Problem

Biodiversity, Ecology, and Global Change Series. "Population Dynamics  
in Epidemic Malaria: Climate Forcing and Parasite Evolution"
WHEN
Mon., Apr. 12, 2010, 5 p.m.
WHERE
Sherman Fairchild Lecture Hall, 7 Divinity Ave.
GAZETTE CLASSIFICATION
Lecture
ORGANIZATION/SPONSOR
Harvard University Center for the Environment
SPEAKER(S)
Mercedes Pascual, University of Michigan
COST
Free and open to the public
NOTE
Reception to follow.
LINK
www.environment.harvard.edu

What's Enough? A Conversation Between Harvard Business School and  
Harvard Divinity School
WHEN
Mon., Apr. 12, 2010, 5:15 – 7 p.m.
WHERE
Sperry Room, Andover Hall, 45 Francis Ave.
GAZETTE CLASSIFICATION
Lecture
ORGANIZATION/SPONSOR
The Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard Divinity  
School, the Harvard Business School, the Weatherhead Center for  
International Affairs, the Harvard University Center for the  
Environment, and the Initiative on Religion in International Affairs  
at the Harvard Kennedy School
SPEAKER(S)
Howard Stevenson, co-author of "Just Enough: Tools for Creating  
Success in Your Work and Life," Sarofim-Rock Baker Foundation  
Professor of Business Administration, senior associate dean, and  
director of HBS Publishing; with responses from Dan McKanan, Ralph  
Waldo Emerson Unitarian Universalist Association Senior Lecturer in  
Divinity at the Harvard Divinity School, and Candice Carpenter, HBS  
graduate and co-founder and chairman of iVillage Inc., the largest  
online service for women and one of the largest content sites on the  
World Wide Web.
COST
Free; registration required
CONTACT INFO
617.495.4476, resterson at hds.harvard.edu
NOTE
Part of the "Ecologies of Human Flourishing" lecture series.  
Reservations are required for this event. Register online at https://www.hds.harvard.edu/cswr/events/registration.cfm

International Climate Change Policy: Next Steps for Japan and the World
WHEN
Tue., Apr. 13, 2010, 9:30 – 10:45 a.m.
WHERE
Deland Classroom, 332 Littauer, Harvard Kennedy School
GAZETTE CLASSIFICATION
Lecture
ORGANIZATION/SPONSOR
Harvard Project on International Climate Agreements
SPEAKER(S)
Amb. Makio Miyagawa, deputy director-general for global issues,  
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan
CONTACT INFO
tyler_gumpright at harvard.edu
http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/events/4307/international_climate_change_policy.html

Building a Green Energy Economy through Accelerated Innovation
WHEN
Tue., Apr. 13, 2010, 11:45 a.m.
WHERE
Piper Auditorium, Gund Hall, Graduate School of Design, 48 Quincy St.,  
02138
GAZETTE CLASSIFICATION
Environmental Sciences, Lecture, Presentation/Lecture
ORGANIZATION/SPONSOR
Graduate School of Design, Harvard University Center for the Environment
SPEAKER(S)
Kristina Johnson, under secretary of energy, US Department of Energy
COST
Free
LINK
www.environment.harvard.edu

"Unconventional Takes on the Climate-Energy Problem."
April 13, 2010 2:30pm - 4:00pm
Prof. John Schellnhuber, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
Bell Hall - Belfer Building Harvard Kennedy School 79 JFK St.  
Cambridge, MA
Contact Name:  Louisa Lund  louisa_lund at hks.harvard.edu

Afghanistan: How To End Violent Conflict and Promote Reconciliation
WHEN
Tue., Apr. 13, 2010, 4 – 6 p.m.
WHERE
Room N-262, CGIS Building, Weatherhead Center for International  
Affairs, 1737 Cambridge Street, Cambridge MA
GAZETTE CLASSIFICATION
Lecture
ORGANIZATION/SPONSOR
Kelman Seminar Series co-sponsored with the Weatherhead Center for  
International Affairs, the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law  
School, the Nieman Foundation, and the Joan Shorenstein Center on the  
Press, Politics and Public Policy
SPEAKER(S)
Peter Galbraith, former ambassador to Croatia and former deputy  
special representative of the secretary-general of the United Nations  
to Afghanistan and an assistant secretary-general of the UN
http://www.pon.harvard.edu/daily/reporting-on-afghanistan-how-to-end-violent-conflict-and-promote-reconciliation/

Transforming Affordable Housing Through Innovation
WHEN
Tue., Apr. 13, 2010, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
WHERE
Suite 200-North, 124 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge MA
GAZETTE CLASSIFICATION
Lecture
ORGANIZATION/SPONSOR
Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation and the Joint  
Center for Housing, Harvard University
SPEAKER(S)
Rafael E. Cestero, Department of Housing Preservation & Development
John B. Rhea, New York City Housing Authority
COST
Free
CONTACT INFO
617.496.4491, christina_marchand at hks.harvard.edu
NOTE
Light refreshments will be served.
http://www.ash.harvard.edu/Home/News-Events/Events/Transforming-Affordable-Housing-Through-Innovation

2 - 3:30p.   "Green Conversations with Tata Technologies."   A panel  
discussion.  Northwest Labs B101, 52 Oxford St., Cambridge

Sustaining Our Earth's Ecosystems: Centennial Panel on the Environment
WHEN
Wed., Apr. 14, 2010, 4 – 6 p.m.
WHERE
Lowell Lecture Hall, corner of Kirkland and Oxford streets
GAZETTE CLASSIFICATION
Environmental Sciences, Lecture
ORGANIZATION/SPONSOR
Harvard Extension School
SPEAKER(S)
Alexandra Cousteau, founder, Blue Legacy, water advocate; Mark  
Plotkin, ethnobotanist, president, Amazon Conservation Team; Eric  
Chivian, founder and director, Harvard Center for Health and Global  
Environment, winner, 1985 Nobel Peace Prize; Steve Curwood, executive  
producer and host, NPR's Living on Earth, moderator
COST
Free and open to the public, seating available on a first-come, first- 
served basis.
CONTACT INFO
617.495.4024
NOTE
Doors open at 3:30 p.m.
LINK
www.extension.harvard.edu

 From Small Idea to Global Phenomenon (And Back Again to Startup): A  
Talk with Dries Buytaert, Founder of Drupal
WHEN
Thu., Apr. 15, 2010, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
WHERE
Emerson 105
GAZETTE CLASSIFICATION
Information Technology, Lecture
ORGANIZATION/SPONSOR
abcd-www, IQSS, and Acquia
SPEAKER(S)
Dries Buytaert
COST
Free and open to the public
NOTE
In this presentation, Dries will talk about the history of Drupal, and  
give an update on Drupal 7, the next major version. Reception to  
follow at CGIS, Fisher Family Commons, 1737 Cambridge St.

BU

Presidential Lecture on Energy & Environmental Sustainability: Ernest  
J. Moniz, MIT Energy Initiative Department
"Energy Technology and Policy - A Post-Copenhagen View"

Ernest J. Moniz is the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and  
Engineering Systems, Director of the Energy Initiative, and Director  
of the Laboratory for Energy and the Environment at the Massachusetts  
Institute of Technology, where he has served on the faculty since  
1973. Professor Moniz served as Under Secretary of the Department of  
Energy from 1997 until January 2001 and, from 1995-97, as Associate  
Director for Science in the Office of Science and Technology Policy in  
the Executive Office of the President.

The BU Distinguished Presidential Lecture provide a forum to learn  
from leaders about best practices, leading edge research,and, policy  
and market trends in the fields of clean technology and energy  
sustainability. Drawing a diverse audience from academia, industry,  
venture and government, these lectures provide a catalyst for  
discussion around technology, development, and research requirements  
that drive market growth and innovation in this crucial sector.

When
Wednesday, Apr 14, 2010 at 4:00pm until 5:15pm on Wednesday, Apr 14,  
2010
Where
Photonics Center, 8 St. Mary's Street, PHO 206
More Info
http://www.bu.edu/energy/newsevents/pres-lectures/moniz1/
registration requested

Others

Representative Denise Provost, Somerville Climate Action, the  
Initiating Committee of Transition Somerville and the Women's  
Institute for Leadership Development invite you to a showing of

Sisters on the Planet
Monday, April 12
6:30 to 8:30pm
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave 02143

Sisters on the Planet tells the stories of four inspirational women  
around the world who are fighting climate change.
 From the producers:  "As obvious as it sounds, climate change affects  
everybody. But climate change is already having a disproportionate  
impact on people in poor communities, and it’s hitting women hardest.
It's not the easiest idea to understand, so to help explain we’ve  
made these short films about women, in both rich and poor countries,  
who are determined to do whatever they can to put a stop to climate  
change.
Watch them and become aware of the impact our changing climate is  
having on people’s lives. And be inspired to join the fight against  
climate change too."

This is our fifth in a series of films that will change the way you  
think about the planet.  The film will be followed by a short  
discussion.

For more information:
www.transitionsomerville.org
www.somervilleclimateaction.org

Also coming up next week:
Why We Fight
A community screening and discussion of an award-winning film,  
directed by Eugene Jarecki (2005).
  Thursday, April 15, 6:30-9pm.
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave.