News | MIT Energy Initiative

Via Separations to expand into new markets with $36 million investment

Based on technology developed with MITEI early-stage funding, company significantly reduces energy use in industrial separation processes.

3 Questions: Analyzing energy sector policy and economics to enable innovation and competition

MIT undergraduate Kaitlyn Flowers '26 highlights the role of the Energy Studies Minor in her shift to focus on the business side of energy.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, discusses global energy markets at a MIT Energy Initiative seminar.

How the war in the Middle East is impacting global energy systems

Expect energy disruptions and economic damage, especially in developing countries, in the short-term, and prepare to build a more resilient, sustainable energy system moving forward, says executive director of the International Energy Agency at MITEI’s Earth Day Colloquium.

3 Questions: Shedding light on why power grids go dark

Pablo Duenas-Martinez, a MITEI research scientist, describes the “death spiral” of events that caused the 12-hour Iberian peninsula power outage in 2025 and five lessons learned.

The power of “AND” in energy and climate entrepreneurship

Greentown Labs CEO emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the entrepreneurship space, and the role that universities play in this landscape.

3 Questions: Communicating energy and climate policy research

MITEI Energy UROP and Wellesley College undergraduate Janina Shivdasani '26 analyzes and communicates MIT energy and climate research and highlights the importance of making this work broadly accessible.

The need for geothermal funding is great and the time is now, experts say

MIT Energy Initiative and Clean Air Task Force host geothermal entrepreneurs and investors at GeoTech Summit.

Pablo Duenas-Martinez, a research scientist at the MIT Energy Initiative, moderates a panel during MITEI's Spring Symposium on innovations and approaches to efficient, economic production of firm power at scale with Lev Ring, the president and co-founder of Sage Geosystems, Inc; Christian Besoiu, the team lead for technology development at Eavor; and Joseph Bonafin, the director of next-generation geothermal at Turboden S.p.A.

Geothermal energy turns red hot

MIT Energy Initiative symposium maps path to tap the planet’s heat-rich rocks for clean power at scale.

MITEI’s Future Energy Systems Center starts six new research projects to enable a decarbonized future

The selected projects will address carbon capture, lithium supply chains, electrical grid planning, and more.

MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center showcases technologies applicable to both fusion and geothermal energy during congressman’s visit

Following the filing of new geothermal legislation, Representative Jake Auchincloss visits MIT to tour PSFC and learn more about scaling geothermal energy.

3 Questions: Improving materials for energy infrastructure

MIT undergraduate Amelia How ’27 shares her experience as a MITEI Energy UROP and how her work in metallurgy can help support better energy infrastructure.

A solar energy film made by Active Surfaces is fabricated in an industrial roll-to-roll printer—a device key to cost-effective mass production.

Active Surfaces aims to install peel-and-stick solar panels everywhere

This award-winning startup with roots at the MIT Energy Initiative is developing lightweight, flexible, high-efficiency solar energy films designed to be used on roofs, walls, and any curved surface—including the roof of your electric vehicle.

MITEI’s IAP activities reach more than 500 students and community members

MITEI supports energy-related courses and activities during MIT’s Independent Activities Period from campus to Catalunya, Spain

Sustaining diplomacy amongst competition in U.S.-China relations

Former U.S. ambassador to China highlights climate change as an area for diplomatic engagement, while exploring areas of competition between the two countries.

Next-geothermal energy: Promise, progress, and challenges

Geothermal innovators are seeking deeper and hotter rocks to generate electricity at scale.

Parking-aware navigation system could prevent frustration and emissions

By minimizing the need to drive around looking for a parking spot, this technique can save drivers up to 35 minutes — and give them a realistic estimate of total travel time.

A new way to make steel could reduce America’s reliance on imports

Hertha Metals, founded by Laureen Meroueh SM ’18, PhD ’20, uses natural gas and electricity to produce steel and high-purity iron for magnets.

Electrifying boilers to decarbonize industry

AtmosZero, co-founded by Addison Stark SM ’10, PhD ’14, developed a modular heat pump to electrify the centuries-old steam boile

Swift Solar, a startup with MITEI roots, succeeds in first real-world test of its novel solar technology

During a U.S. Department of Defense exercise, Swift Solar’s flexible, efficient, lightweight solar cells demonstrated that the technology is ready for commercial release and scale-up.

Understanding ammonia energy’s trade-offs around the world

MIT Energy Initiative researchers calculated the economic and environmental impact of future ammonia energy production and trade pathways.