After a grueling week tackling a complex energy hypothetical, a team of five Penn graduate students supported by the Kleinman Center presented their findings to a panel of industry judges and won second place at the 11th Annual Columbia University Energy Symposium Case Competition. The national competition, sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton, pulled in diverse teams from graduate programs across the United States, which developed responses to contemporary challenges facing the energy industry.
Responses required an interdisciplinary approach, including expertise in business, finance, policy,and energy technologies. This year’s case study asked students to act as Chair of the Public Utility Commission in a state trying to balance renewable deployment and technology integration. Students addressed key policy issues including rates and subsidies for various stakeholders. Kleinman students secured second place and $1,500 in prize money following their successful 15-minute presentation.
Team members included:
- Max Davidson—SAS, Master of Environmental Studies
- Gregory Luehrs —Wharton,Master of Business Administration
- Miriam Posner—SAS Fels, Master of Public Administration
- Robert Ritchie—SEAS, Master of Science in Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Applied Mechanics
- Vishwanth Kumar Vankadari—SEAS, Master of Science in Engineering,Mechanical Engineering, and Applied Mechanics
“In addition to monetary support, the staff provided us with supplies and space to meet and connected us to professors and resources.” said Miriam Posner, Team Leader for the Columbia Competition.