In the global conversation about energy, one point is inescapably true: energy underpins economies, people's quality of life and human progress. Societal use of energy can also undermine environmental functioning and social equity. Perhaps the single most defining challenge of this century is to create an energy future for humanity that Earth can sustain and one that can sustain Earth for humanity. To do so is to address the energy puzzle.
The energy sector has substantially changed over the past 25 years, and larger changes are possible for the next 25. Yet the trajectory and magnitude of the evolution is uncertain. Changing patterns of energy utilization, new renewable energy technologies, the transition to cleaner burning fuels, sustainable resource usage, justice, equity and more constitute issues at the forefront of the grand challenge that is energy. Charting paths for viable and thrive-able futures requires that we navigate the multi-dimensional and inter-connected energy puzzle.
Innovative research in and across the pieces of the puzzle is necessary to solve complex problems and provide opportunities to enhance economic growth, environmental stewardship and well-being. Ohio State is engaged in a wide variety of research and activity that spans the pieces of the energy puzzle. The university research portfolio and associated undergraduate and graduate curricula leverage numerous institutes, centers and laboratories. These entities, faculty and staff provide leadership and expertise for sound, data-driven research that leads to:
- knowledge generation and dissemination
- innovation in all forms of energy and energy technology
- sound decision-making geared toward responsibly developing, managing and transforming energy resource use from carbon-intensive fossil fuels (coal, oil) to lower or zero-emission fuels (hydrogen, nuclear, natural gas) and renewables (wind, geothermal, solar, biofuels)
- policy analysis and guidelines for regulatory and industry best practices
- environmental mitigation strategies
- addressing social and community impacts
As part of the broad portfolio at Ohio State, the Sustainability Institute's Sustainable Energy Research program, as well as SI's Healthy Air, Land and Water Research and Smart and Resilient Communities Research programs, provide leadership across a range of topics, where the primary functions are to:
- promote team building to facilitate collaboration leading to external proposal development
- serve as a communication link and partner involving industry, government agencies, NGOs and other universities
- provide a forum to discuss challenges and opportunities throughout the energy puzzle that are central to responsible renewable and non-renewable resource development in our state, region, country and world
In future newsletters, will we explore issues central to these dimensions and highlight how SI is addressing them. As part of our commitment to promote a dialogue on important energy issues, we are hosting a symposium on Energy Transition and Decarbonization, February 10-11, and a follow-on seminar series in April leading up to Earth Day. Please join us. Registration and agenda
Best,
Jeff Bielicki, civil, environmental and geodetic engineering and John Glenn College of Public Affairs, and Dave Cole, earth sciences
Sustainability Institute Sustainable Energy Program research leads