Navigation
Energy Initiatives
BROADENING our use of existing resources
While much research is focused on new energy sources, fossil fuels will remain a fundamental element of an overall energy mix for the foreseeable future. Today, they provide about 85 percent of the United States’ energy supply requirements and are likely to be the dominant energy source for the next quarter-century and beyond.
New technologies must be developed to enhance the recovery of conventional oil and gas. All forms of fossil fuels will need solutions to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions. Water also has become a critical issue in line with energy, with complimentary challenges and synergies with fossil-fuel production. Additionally, there are significant emerging work-force challenges as current energy workers near retirement, the demand for workers increases, and fewer students pursue technical degrees.
DISCOVERING new energy sources to power our lives
Higher energy prices, public concern about global warming and questions about the true cost of fossil fuels are making renewable and alternative energy sources increasingly economical and attractive. Forecasts suggest that demand for electricity will continue to grow worldwide. Coal, which supplies about half the power needs of the country, is facing restraints from greenhouse-gas emission caps. Interest in nuclear potential is rising, yet the timeframe for building new nuclear plants still exceeds a decade, and safety concerns still predominate.
According to the American Wind Energy Association, the United States’ wind-power generating capacity increased by 45 percent in 2007 and 50 percent in 2008 to an installed capacity of 25,170 megawatts at the end of 2008. Texas has the largest installed capacity of wind in the country with 7,116 megawatts.
Solar power continues to become more economical, and Texas has one of the best solar resources in the country. UH already has taken a lead in the area.
Regarding transportation fuels, mandates for increased ethanol usage in the United States are driving significant biofuels research and investment. Fuel from algae holds enormous promise, and UH has been one of the key early members in forming a Texas Bio-fuels Alliance.
Fuel cells also hold long-term prospects. Political initiatives, environmental mandates and economics will drive an ever-increasing acceleration of research, educational, and outreach activities in the country and globally.
SHAPING business practices and public policy
The energy outlook for the 21st century requires higher-level proficiency at the system-network level to evaluate and provide information about competing energy technologies. High-level competency is also necessary to understand the operational dynamics and interplay of energy supply choices, coupled with demand management choices, and to assess policy options and impacts on the overall energy system.
The huge infrastructure requirements for an expanding energy portfolio must be understood in the broader economic and political landscape. This requires in-depth assessment of the other three strategic themes, coupled with integrative proficiency in energy policy, economics, law, business, and history.
REDUCING our impact on the environment
Environmental and cost concerns are spurring us to work aggressively on the demand side of the energy equation through conservation and efficiency. At the state, federal and local levels, officials are promoting conservation and environmental sustainability through green building standards and conservation programs.
The Greater Houston Partnership and the city of Houston’s mayor’s office have organized a task force addressing residential electricity-demand reduction, and the University of Houston has helped lead and facilitate the initiative. Designing efficient buildings, with consideration given to next-generation materials, is also part of the demand-reduction equation. Quality-of-life issues in metropolitan communities like Houston require focus on key issues such as air and water quality, among many others.
Show Printable Version