May 7, 2026 | 12PM-1PM | EEI Conference Room and Zoom
Join us Thursday, May 7 at EEI for our weekly Energy Bites lunch seminar, featuring two presentations on building decarbonization and resource use in the built environment. These talks will explore how emerging technologies and material systems are shaping more efficient, low-impact energy and infrastructure solutions.
Ultra-Low GWP Refrigerants for Heat Pumps
Curtis Harrington
Heat pumps are central to building decarbonization, but the refrigerants they rely on are changing quickly due to new environmental regulations. This talk explores how ultra-low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants are shaping the next generation of heat pump systems, and the tradeoffs they introduce across performance, safety, and cost.
The presentation will examine different system design approaches and emerging technologies that aim to enable efficient, scalable heat pumps while meeting increasingly strict GWP limits. It will also highlight how these innovations support broader goals around electrification, emissions reduction, and grid responsiveness.
Curtis Harrington has over 15 years of experience in building energy efficiency research. He is an Engineering Manager at the Western Cooling Efficiency Center, where he provides strategic direction and serves as a technical resource for engineering staff. His work includes studies on alternative refrigerants, advanced heat pump systems, and building energy technologies. Curtis earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from UC Davis and is a registered professional mechanical engineer in California.
Resource Use for Global Concrete Production
Seth Kane
Globally, concrete production exceeds the combined scale of food consumption and water use, placing significant demands on water, energy, and mineral resources. This talk examines the drivers, geographic distribution, and projected growth of concrete production, and how this scale of use creates both localized and global resource constraints.
The presentation will also explore key pathways to reduce resource use in concrete production while continuing to meet demand for critical infrastructure. It will highlight opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impacts, and support more sustainable material systems in the built environment.
Seth Kane studies sustainable materials and carbon sequestration in the built environment, with a focus on reducing emissions and mitigating impacts on vulnerable communities. His research spans a range of materials and technologies, including cementitious systems, biomass, carbon-based materials, pyrolysis, additive manufacturing, and energy storage. He completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering with a Materials Science focus at Montana State University and is currently a postdoctoral scholar at UC Davis in Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees. Please register in advance so we have an accurate headcount.
We look forward to seeing you!