Explore Energy is an effort of the Precourt Institute for Energy, which is part of the Doerr School of Sustainability.

Why live at Explore Energy?

"After living in Explore Energy House at Jro for a year, I’ve fallen in love with the community... As a beneficiary of the vibrant energy community on campus, my main goal next year will be giving back to the community and help Jro rise the ranks to become one of the most sought after theme houses. I have talked with my friends who are also preassigning, and our collective goal is to help the inter-class community thrive. Next year, I hope to spearhead a field trip to Form Energy’s facilities, as long as they are able to accommodate. In my opinion, field trips are the optimal way to learn and experience, so I hope to lead one."  - Current and future resident, Steven Liu

Checkout one resident's experience of a field trip to Tesla's Fremont plant.

Do you want to better understand the connections between energy production and use, and sustainability? Are you eager to find solutions that equitably address climate change and accelerate the clean energy transition? Are you curious how to address these existential questions of our time? Would you like to live with people who, like you, are enthusiastic about addressing these challenges? Then join this residential community and living laboratory that expands energy and sustainability education through interdisciplinary dialogue, exploration, and action.

Explore Energy House residents gathered in their Lounge beneath the Explore Energy Logo

We are passionate about being a home where residents feel a sense of authenticity, belonging, and inspiration, where we center the values of joy, hope, curiosity, discovery, and inclusion. Together we create a cohesive “energy circuit” that bridges all of Stanford’s schools. Explore Energy House hosts events, workshops, alumni seminars, student-initiated and led workshops, and more.  Our associated staff and leadership team provide energy mentoring and facilitate networking across campus.

Explore Energy House is associated with the Explore Energy program under the Precourt Institute for Energy and draws on diverse resources to explore the vast world of energy topics as we connect our residents with existing energy related programs and new opportunities across Stanford’s schools — including the new Doerr School of Sustainability. 

Want to live in Explore Energy House?

1.  If you are a returning undergraduate, you can apply to take a leadership role as a Resident Assistant or participate in housing Pre-Assignment in March.  Find the expectations for pre-assignment here.

2. If you are an incoming freshman, you can rank Explore Energy #1 in your Approaching Stanford form.

Want to participate in Explore Energy House activities even while residing elsewhere on campus?

Join the  Explore Energy Seminar (ENERGY 108/208, CEE 108/208). 

The Explore Energy seminar series is a weekly 1 unit course, offered each quarter, featuring a wide range of current topics that affect the pace of energy transitions at multiple scales and in multiple sectors. It also includes cross-house exchanges with residents in other Stanford theme houses that have intersections with energy, catalyzing new connections with common interests. Each quarter includes some sessions that feature Stanford itself as a living laboratory for energy transitions that can be catalyzed by technology, policy, and social systems. Stanford alumni with a range of disciplinary backgrounds are among the presenters each quarter, supporting exploration of both educational and career development paths. Repeatable 3 times (up to 3 units total). Instructors: Hummel, H. (PI) ; Swisher, J. (PI)

Associated Staff and Leadership Team: 

  • Yi Cui, Director, Precourt Institute for Energy; Professor, Materials Science and Engineering; Senior Fellow, Precourt Institute for Energy
  • Bruce Cain, Director, Bill Lane Center for the American West; Professor, Political Science
  • Mark Jacobson, Director, Atmosphere/Energy Program; Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Sally Benson, Precourt Family Professor, Professor of Energy Resources Engineering and Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy
  • Jane Woodward, Adjunct Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering; Founder and Managing Partner, MAP
  • Diana Gragg, Managing Director, Explore Energy at the Precourt Institute for Energy; Core Lecturer, Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Bianca Patel, Assistant Director, Explore Energy at the Precourt Institute for Energy
  • Wahila Wilkie, Program Manager, Explore Energy at the Precourt Institute for Energy  
  • Anthony Kinslow, Lecturer, Civil and Environmental Engineering; Founder and CEO of Gemini Energy Solutions
  • Kirsten Stasio, Adjunct Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering; VP at MAP