Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Precourt Institute for Energy? 

The Precourt Institute for Energy (also referred to as PIE, Precourt, and Stanford Energy) concentrates the talents of the university on energy research and education, from basic science and technology to policy and business. It is comprised of a number of initiatives, centers, and programs including Explore Energy, Bits & Watts, StorageX Initiative, and the TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy. 

Explore Energy is under the Precourt Institute for Energy and directs many of its student offerings. As an interdisciplinary program, it supports and promotes energy-related opportunities all across Stanford.

When was Explore Energy founded and by whom?

Explore Energy was spearheaded in 2020 by Jane Woodward who serves on Explore Energy's Advisory Board. Diana Gragg joined as Managing Director at the end of 2020, and the program had its official launch event in November 2021. Our team and program has continued to expand since.

What does Explore Energy do?

Explore Energy provides a personalized one-stop resource for students navigate and connect with opportunities in Stanford's energy ecosystem, in addition to offering mentorship and organizing events. Our team also directs a suite of energy courses and experiential learning opportunities. Learn more about Precourt's student offerings.

Who do you work with?

Explore Energy is a program for students — spanning different majors, years (freshman all the way to postdoc), and energy backgrounds. We work with all Stanford students. We also work closely with Stanford staff, faculty, alumni, and external organizations.

How do I stay up-to-date with Explore Energy?

We encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter, which we use to share our announcements and a digest of "Everything Energy" across campus. Explore Energy also hosts an Expo during the Fall quarter where you can learn about us and other energy-related opportunities from our on-campus partners.