Institute for Energy and
the Environment
At The Ohio State University
Energy and environmental issues are front and center in today's world. These pervade everything from new start-ups to politics to research. For example, we know that the world is continuing to warm, that sea level is rising, that water availability is unknown (even in the U.S.!), and that ecological habitats are being impacted. Here in Ohio, the State has enacted a law that by 2025 at least 25% of all electricity sold in Ohio must come from alternative energy sources and that 12.5% will come from renewable sources. This timing is fast. Overall, there is a great demand for understanding how we will meet these societal issues.
What is OSU's role in addressing these issues? We have globally recognized excellence in understanding global climate change, measuring sea level rise using satellites, knowing how soils and farming practices can offset rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, just to name a few. We have researchers globally known for their work in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, enhancing photovoltaic conversion of sunlight to energy, for building better materials used in a variety of renewables (e.g., the blades of wind turbines), just to name a few. Essentially, OSU is one of the very largest U.S. universities and we have a combined strength in energy and environmental research that is unparalleled.
The IEE was formed to bring this excellence front and center. We want you to know what we are doing and, moreover, to work with us as we solve Ohio's and indeed the world's energy and environmental problems. The IEE includes Kate Bartter and Scott Potter. Kate and Scott conduct all of the IEE work and are invaluable for the IEE. Please contact us, we know there is a role for all of us working together!
Douglas Alsdorf
Interim Director
Institute for Energy and the Environment
Please take a moment to read Greg Washington's welcome. He is the former interim IEE director, before taking on the role of interim Dean of the College of Engineering. Greg continues to have an active role in the IEE.
One of the greatest challenges of our time lies in our ability to secure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for future generations. With the world's energy consumption expected to double by 2030, access to clean and affordable energy will drive the economic and political future of this planet. According to the Energy Information Administration, fossil fuels account for more than 85% of the global energy supply. Without significant technical breakthroughs, it has been predicted that two of the most important fossil fuels (oil and natural gas) will reach their production peaks in the next decade. Additionally, the increased use of coal in the past decades has been linked to increased levels of carbon dioxide in our environment. These increased levels could lead to disastrous climatic consequences.
The Institute for Energy and the Environment (IEE) at OSU is committed to the discovery and dissemination of knowledge that will enable the next generation of scientific breakthroughs. The Institute encompasses a multidisciplinary academic community of five colleges and more than 100 faculty. For a snapshot of our recent activity, click here. Thank you for taking the time to visit our site. While here, please explore our key initiatives, research thrusts and our newly designed online faculty database. Should you have any questions, or believe that the IEE can assist you, please contact us.
Gregory Washington