Climate change is driving society to reshape its energy systems.  Fossil fuel consumption is responsible for over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.  To mitigate future climate change it is urgent that we transition away from carbon-based fuels.
But changing how we generate, transport, store and use energy poses many challenges. At the Energy Trans Research Lab, we apply social science research to promote thoughtful, in-depth understandings into the human dimensions of energy transitions.
We closely integrate under-graduate education with applied research.  Students engage in problem-based learning about issues with immediate relevance to society.  The products of our research include: conceptual frameworks, maps, models, and reports.  
    
 Our goal is to produce results that will help ensure the energy transitions are effective, just, ecological, ethical, and contribute to improving the sustainability and the quality of life in our society. The results of our science are available to policy makers and decision makers.  Supporting advice or consulting is available upon demand.

New posters from DOE

Update
Communities dialogues about transitioning to renewables are so important. Movies like Reinventing Power can help spark conversation.

Many people don't know that PV solar can provide valuable "grid services" if they include "smart inverters." These can maintain voltage and frequency and manage reactive power on the grid. All important and valuable functions to the utility.

Just ran across this nice series of presentations from Andy Duncan at Lakes Regional CC introducing NH residents to PV. 
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If you've been following recent news stories about the anti-renewable movement to revise PURPA, but you want a good backgrounder, try this piece from votesolar.org.

Images of the Energiewende in Germany

Social science is critical to the EnergyTrans

“Barriers to the plan [to power the world with renewables] are primarily social and political, not technological or economic” - Mark Jacobson and Mark Delucchi 2011.

Others we follow

ISO-New England's Grid in transition page.
#energytwitter
​Our Energy Policy - promotes public dialogue on energy
Smart Grid News - documenting transitions in the electricity grid
Energy and Policy Institute - examines critiques of renewables
Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University - In-depth thinking about world energy policy 
Helmholtz Alliance Energy Trans - the best work on energy trans in Germany. 
Rentrocket.org - Volunteer to document your rental's energy costs.