The Road to Sustainability: Transforming the Power Grid for Renewables and Electrified Transit

By addressing the challenges of grid modernization, renewable integration and electric vehicle infrastructure, we're paving the way to a greener future.

Electricity is an essential yet often overlooked aspect of modern life. Many people flip a switch or plug in a device without a second thought, unaware of the intricate technology and vast infrastructure required to meet their energy needs. This convenience has led to a general mental disconnect between our daily electricity use and the complex systems that generate, transmit and distribute power across the grid. As society faces the concurrent challenges of intensifying climate policies, growing electric vehicle adoption and greater electrical power demands, it becomes increasingly important to understand the intricate dance of innovation, infrastructure and regulation that keeps our lights on. 

Clarkson faculty and student researchers are working across disciplines on strategies for the evolution of the power grid, the urgent need to align it with climate goals, and the profound implications of an electrified transportation future on grid infrastructure.

The Problem

Image

State and Federal climate mitigation mandates present a complex challenge: ensuring grid stability and reliability while simultaneously electrifying transport and transitioning to sustainable, carbon-free energy sources. Achieving these goals demands significant investment, technological innovation and a coordinated effort across government, industry, academia and communities to modernize the grid and align energy consumption patterns with the realities of a cleaner, electrified future.
 

The Purpose

This research seeks to answer critical questions about how to build a more sustainable and equitable energy future, by investigating the technological, political and societal dimensions of potential grid-transportation system solutions. Using New York as a reference case, this research will produce quantifiable metrics to evaluate sustainable transportation and power system options – and their economic, environmental and social impacts – to provide practical guidelines for infrastructure and transportation planners nationwide.

Collaborators and Stakeholders

Image

Image