Jhansi Kandasamy
Idaho National Laboratory | Executive Director, Net-Zero Program
Speaker
Track M: Sustainable Development
Session M3: Energy Programs Supporting Sustainable Development
September 27, 2024 | 10:00 am - 10:30 am
INL's Road to Net-Zero
On Earth Day in 2021, Idaho National Laboratory (INL) announced its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions across the 890-square mile laboratory by 2031. Given the size and complexity of INL, this commitment requires an intricate set of tiered solutions that the Net-Zero Program is working to develop in collaboration with leaders across the lab. Taking a team-centered approach has enabled INL to gather specific information regarding emissions generated by the approximately 300 buildings, 700 vehicles, and 200 acres of landfill space that the laboratory oversees. INL then used this data to revise its Net-Zero Plan, making certain to align it with Executive Order (EO) 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, and EO 14057, Catalyzing America’s Clean Energy Industries and Jobs through Federal Sustainability. This presentation focuses on the lessons learned as INL updated its scope of work and developed strategies to assess and reduce emissions—both in the near term and to meet 2031 goals even as INL’s mission and energy needs grow.
Speaker Bio
Jhansi Kandasamy is the director of Idaho National Laboratory’s Net-Zero program. She is responsible for leading INL to become a national model for achieving net-zero emissions by 2031 through the development and implementation of carbon-free and carbon-capture technologies.
She brings 30 years of industry experience and leadership as the former Executive Vice President of Engineering for GE-Hitachi. She began her career at the Limerick Generating station as an electrical engineer for the Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) and held progressive roles as Maintenance Supervisor, Operations Supervisor and Engineering Manager at Exelon's Limerick Generating Station and Oyster Creek Generating Station. She then transitioned to Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) Salem/Hope Creek New Jersey where she held positions as Senior Projects Director, Work Management Director, and Regulatory Assurance Manager & Chemistry Environmental Manager. Kandasamy obtained U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Senior Reactor Operator Certification at the Limerick Generating Station.
In addition, Kandasamy is past chair of US Women in Nuclear (WIN), an 8,000-plus member organization, and co-founder of US WIN Nuclear Executives of Tomorrow (NEXT) where she mentors women who are 1-3 years from being executives in the nuclear industry. She is also an American Nuclear Society executive committee chair member.
Kandasamy received her MBA from Eastern University and her BS in electrical engineering from Pennsylvania State University.
