Texas has approved $1.8 billion for a new microgrid program to boost backup power at critical sites such as hospitals, water systems, and emergency services. The Texas Backup Power Package Program will deploy on-site systems combining solar, batteries, and gas generation, offering a faster, more flexible alternative to large-scale plants. As traditional grid projects face delays, this marks a strategic shift toward distributed resilience amid rising demand and increasingly frequent extreme weather.

The future of offshore energy is evolving, and researchers at the University of Houston are at the forefront of this transformation. Dr. Harish Krishnamoorthy, an expert in power conversion technologies, is working to integrate renewable energy sources into offshore oil and gas operations.

Andy Krieger, senior vice president of wells for BP Global Wells Organization, sat down with UH Energy for a conversation about his start in the energy industry, his role on the Energy Advisory Board and his advice for students.