Scientific evidence demonstrates that our reliance on fossil fuels – about 70% of the energy that fuels our economy -- results in air and water pollution that affects the climate and us, and we must transition to more benign systems. Wind and solar technologies are attractive: They lack the emissions when operated, over the last decade their deployment has accelerated, and in some circumstances they can now provide electricity at costs below those of fossil fuels.
While costs are important, implementation of more sustainable energy systems — electricity, heating, transportation, etc. — is far more complicated. We must strive to reduce pollution and continually improve efficiencies requiring less energy resources: land, water and other inputs. Usable energy must be more available, more reliable and more affordable, with less disparities in access between rich and poor and less marginalization of people through energy development and infrastructure deployment. Balancing these needs for energy sustainability require a systems-mentality that considers the myriad environmental, economic and social linkages. Such balancing means that “easy answers” are difficult to come by, and they are even more elusive when considering the values and identities that mediate.
As a research university, many at Ohio State are familiar with the uneven process of “figuring it out.” This process underlies all innovations related to energy — materials, devices, resources, management, markets, policy, business models and more. Ohio State is among the largest and most comprehensive universities, with many working on various energy issues in different stages of research, development, demonstration and deployment, all of which are designed to enhance sustainability.
In our role as research co-leads for the Sustainable Energy Program at the Sustainability Institute, we have established a comprehensive and tractable plan to guide timely prioritization of key initiatives. Underlying these priorities are activities to purposefully identify and cultivate strategic relationships, address and foster inclusivity and support the development and delivery of educational content. These priorities focus on two topical themes: (1) a decentralizing grid and (2) decarbonization and energy transition.
Toward that end, as societies seek to evolve away from energy-dense fossil fuels and architect reliable energy systems using more diffuse renewable resources, we are in the initial stages of planning a symposium on Decarbonization and Transition. The symposium will likely occur early next year and may include topics including “Can We Go 100% renewable?” “Slowing and Reversing Greenhouse Gas Emissions” and “Ohio State’s Climate Action Plan.”
We recently held some “drop-in” symposium planning sessions for members of the Ohio State community to offer ideas and suggestions. We will host two more, from 4 to 5 p.m. Oct. 13 and 14. We welcome your engagement in the planning sessions next month, and we encourage your participation in the symposium next semester. Please RSVP to Kathy Jackson, Jackson.2942@osu.edu to participate in the planning sessions. Please join us!
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 co-leads and Faculty Advisory Board members