Energy use has become a hot topic. As the price of gas and home heating oil rises in the stratosphere, many people are praying for help. Will the government allow that release?
Obtaining a 'Good' Energy Policy is the Energy Research Center at the Cambridge Interdisciplinary Grand Challenge, which focuses on developing and delivering new collaborative activities that address the principles of developing 'good' energy policies. Working with partners in education, industry and government we aim to develop strategies to implement these policies to support various aspects of energy policy.
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Our activities focus on a wide range of organizational structures (community groups, industry and government), regional districts, and existing and emerging energy technologies.
Some of the key themes we explore to better understand energy policy trade include:
Institutional design and new business models
Continuous power models
Investment in assets
Use of evidence and prediction
Consumers, public trust, understanding, attitudes and beliefs
The concepts of what is ‘good’ and ‘righteousness’ in the context of energy policy
The role of the state and the collective action
The activities of the In Search of ‘Good’ Energy Policy Grand Challenge are supported by a multi- Sectored Coordinating Committee led by Professor Michael Polity. Our research community includes arts, humanities, social sciences, biological and physical sciences and technology.
We organize collaborative research projects, stakeholder engagement activities, industry-based and community-based events and workshops, an international guest exchange program, and publish research and working papers. A series of 'Good' Energy Policy Seminar explores what constitutes a 'good' policy with different disciplinary views. Click here for the full audios of the Seminar Series and the various Talk Conversation Videos.
In March and July 2018, with the support of the EPSRC IAA, Professor Michael Polity visited China to support the work of compiling the United Nations Office's policy on energy and climate change in China. He has visited Beijing, Nanjing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen with a series of presentations and meetings with industry stakeholders. The work discussed the UK's knowledge of electronic market design and network control, and how this could reflect China's recent renewed effort to create competitive energy markets and introduce its own power controls.
In his recent State of the Union address, President Bush called the United States an "oil addict." Many people think that has signaled a new push for Bush administration to tackle the problems of keeping lights and moving cars in the 21st century. Unfortunately, expectations were dashed after the speech when no new action or plans were implemented.
Many provincial legislatures, impatient with the soft coalition government's response to our non-"oil" response, have begun to take action.
Members of Parliament, most of them from so-called "green" provinces have begun drafting laws on power cuts and car crashes. They also need some energy to build renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Needs for energy saving in household appliances are also being discussed.
To date, the federal government has been pleased to allow national legislatures to participate in environmental issues. "I see nothing wrong with the involvement of the provinces," said Senator Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), currently chairing the government's Energy and Environment Committee.
While some argue that national laws will not have a national impact on greenhouse gas emissions, others argue that if the needs are met in adequate provinces it will have a significant impact. And the regions seem to be contributing, though global warming has not yet stopped. Few manufacturers have implemented new rules nationwide to avoid customizing products for each region.
"If we can get the federal government to do something, we have to take action in any way possible," said Gina McCarthy, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Affairs.
Let's just hope all this comes at a better price for consumers
The energy can be converted from one to another using a transfer method.
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