SMU is building a nationally distinctive Energy Research Initiative that brings together faculty expertise, advanced computing infrastructure, industry collaboration and interdisciplinary research to address complex energy challenges.
Driving energy innovation across science, engineering, computing and energy systems
A new vision for energy research
Southern Methodist University is positioned to emerge as a national leader in interdisciplinary energy research. Across the University, investments in engineering, earth sciences, business, economics and advanced computing have created a powerful convergence of expertise focused on the future of energy systems and innovation.
The initiative is designed to accelerate research, strengthen industry collaboration, attract leading faculty and research talent and create new opportunities for innovation in energy systems, infrastructure, advanced computing and technology commercialization.
At the center of this effort is the creation of SMU’s first Eminent Endowed Chair in Energy, a distinguished research leader who will help shape the future of interdisciplinary energy scholarship and connect SMU to the broader energy ecosystem in Texas and beyond.
Battery systems and energy storage
SMU researchers are advancing next-generation battery technologies across the full innovation pipeline – from materials discovery and advanced manufacturing to intelligent energy management systems.
Research areas include:
- Solid-state battery design
- Digital twin technology
- Advanced performance modeling
- Intelligent energy storage systems
- High-performance computational analysis
Subsurface and geothermal energy
SMU’s expertise in earth sciences supports innovative research in subsurface energy systems, geothermal applications and emerging energy resources.
Research initiatives include:
- Reservoir engineering
- Methane management
- Geothermal energy systems
- Hydrothermal modeling
- Borehole temperature analysis
- Subsurface imaging and earthquake monitoring
- Satellite monitoring of energy infrastructure
- Critical minerals and emerging energy resources
Smart grid and energy systems
Faculty across engineering and computing disciplines are developing resilient, intelligent energy systems designed for the demands of a rapidly evolving energy landscape.
- AI-driven grid optimization
- Sensor networks and energy analytics
- Cyber-physical energy security
- Grid resilience and reliability
- Advanced systems engineering
Energy economics, markets and policy
Researchers in economics, business and related disciplines examine the forces shaping regional and global energy systems.
- North American energy markets
- Cross-border energy trade
- Energy finance and investment
- Energy economics and regulation
- Energy geopolitics
- Industry and market collaboration
Powered by advanced research infrastructure
High-performance computing and AI
SMU’s energy research ecosystem is strengthened by the O’Donnell Data Science and Research Computing Institute, which provides advanced infrastructure for large-scale modeling, simulation and analytics.
Capabilities include:
- NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD infrastructure
- M3 high-performance computing cluster
- AI-enabled simulation and modeling
- Large-scale interdisciplinary data analysis
These resources enable researchers to accelerate research across battery science, smart systems, computational modeling and energy systems.
Interdisciplinary collaboration across SMU
The initiative brings together faculty and researchers from across the University, including:
- Lyle School of Engineering
- Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences
- Cox School of Business
- Maguire Energy Institute
- O’Donnell Data Science and Research Computing Institute
- Hunt Institute for Engineering and Humanity
- Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affairs
- Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship
Industry engagement and strategic partnerships
Located in Dallas, one of the nation’s fastest-growing energy and technology hubs, SMU is positioned to build deep partnerships with industry leaders across:
- Energy production
- Infrastructure and engineering
- Advanced manufacturing
- Defense and aerospace
- Transportation and mobility
- Financial markets and investment
