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This Impact Area explores how the changes required to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources impacts countries and communities around the world.

In the 18^th century, when fossil fuels began to be exploited, the energy revolution was not done in an equitable and just fashion. It was more of a ‘gold rush’ approach, which resulted in a great deal of damage to large parts of the environment and multiple populations. The scars of this revolution are still felt today, manifesting as large global inequalities. Access to energy is now considered one of the key global indicators for prosperity and progress. Globally a billion people still live without electricity.

As we move to a clean energy economy, we have the opportunity to do things differently. We have the chance to provide access to energy in an equitable and inclusive fashion, that respects the environment and empowers communities.

By considering a diverse range of perspectives as we transition away from fossil fuels we have the possibility to impart hugely beneficial societal impacts. While the climate crisis is the driving force behind the transition to a renewable energy economy, done intentionally it can include a number of benefits, including job creation, public health improvements, energy security and independence, community empowerment, energy justice, and general quality of life improvements. Transitioning to a modern and clean energy economy has the potential to benefit the global population broadly.

Here are just some of the ways in which several of the Research Foci are making advances in this Impact Area:

Buildings

• Evaluating occupant centered design in the development of new building materials, features, and control systems.

Circular Economy

• Development of models that aim to identify the best ways to encourage adoption of more sustainable consumption modes.

Energy Justice

• Analyses of the impacts of technologies on a wide range of communities.
• Developing frameworks that enable the integration of energy justice into early stages of the research process.

Energy Policy

• Building resources that inform policy makers of the impacts of new technologies and ensure that decision makers have the information needed to understand the impact of different pathways.

Social, Institutional, and Behavioral Analysis

• Exploring different perspectives and different aspects of the energy transition and how these will impact a broad cross-section of communities.

Theory, Computational Modeling, and Simulation

• Using computational modeling and analysis to simulate and extrapolate societal trends for adoption of new technologies.