The strong integration of social equity into research and training will help to ensure that new investment in green technology and infrastructure benefits all members of society.
“There are difficult questions that arise from a transformation of the electrical grid from centralized electricity production to a decentralized model with renewables and battery storage,” says Christine Crago, associate professor of resource economics and one of the co-researchers. “Who will own and control new electricity generation and storage assets? How will electricity prices change? How can electricity markets be designed to improve equity in its various dimensions? Our new program will ensure that issues of equity are at the forefront of the energy transition.”