The Road to Sustainability: Transforming the Power Grid for Renewables and Electrified Transit
By addressing the challenges of grid modernization, renewable integration and electric vehicle infrastructure, we're paving the way to a greener future.
Electricity is an essential yet often overlooked aspect of modern life. Many people flip a switch or plug in a device without a second thought, unaware of the intricate technology and vast infrastructure required to meet their energy needs. This convenience has led to a general mental disconnect between our daily electricity use and the complex systems that generate, transmit and distribute power across the grid. As society faces the concurrent challenges of intensifying climate policies, growing electric vehicle adoption and greater electrical power demands, it becomes increasingly important to understand the intricate dance of innovation, infrastructure and regulation that keeps our lights on.
Clarkson faculty and student researchers are working across disciplines on strategies for the evolution of the power grid, the urgent need to align it with climate goals, and the profound implications of an electrified transportation future on grid infrastructure.
The Problem
State and Federal climate mitigation mandates present a complex challenge: ensuring grid stability and reliability while simultaneously electrifying transport and transitioning to sustainable, carbon-free energy sources. Achieving these goals demands significant investment, technological innovation and a coordinated effort across government, industry, academia and communities to modernize the grid and align energy consumption patterns with the realities of a cleaner, electrified future.
The Purpose
This research seeks to answer critical questions about how to build a more sustainable and equitable energy future, by investigating the technological, political and societal dimensions of potential grid-transportation system solutions. Using New York as a reference case, this research will produce quantifiable metrics to evaluate sustainable transportation and power system options – and their economic, environmental and social impacts – to provide practical guidelines for infrastructure and transportation planners nationwide.
The Methods
Improve evaluation metrics
Identify gaps in policy-making metrics to better evaluate economic and technical efficiency, sustainability and equity.
Quantify the scope
Aggregate and create of data sets that capture the interdependencies between environmental sustainability, economic and technical efficiency and social equity outcomes.
Develop data-driven insights
Analyze actual EV charging data to characterize the charging demand and reduce uncertainty in modeling the grid-transportation system.
Innovate power delivery
Develop advanced methods that will allow carbon free energy to supply electric transportation while maintaining power grid reliability.
About the New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
2050
NYS-mandated target for net-zero emissions.
We have a long way to go...
In 2022, just 30% of NYS's electricity was from renewable sources.
The New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), enacted in 2019, is one of the most ambitious climate laws in the United States. The CLCPA mandates a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, requiring the state to achieve 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, a completely carbon-free power sector by 2040 and statewide net-zero emissions by 2050. The law also emphasizes environmental justice, ensuring that disadvantaged communities, which have historically borne the brunt of pollution, receive 40% of the benefits from clean energy investments and projects.
Through the CLCPA, New York is positioning itself as a leader in the fight against climate change, with a comprehensive approach that integrates technological innovation with environmental, social and economic considerations.
The Players
To address the interconnected challenges of transportation electrification and transitioning to more renewable power sources, our research team consists of engineers, economists and sustainability scholars along with key stakeholders representing electric utilities, regional grid operators, municipalities and community leaders.
The Clarkson University Research Team
Collaborators and Stakeholders
Participating Schools, Institutes & Centers
Student Researcher Spotlight
The interdisciplinary nature of this project creates diverse research opportunities for Clarkson faculty and students alike.
Honors student Thomas Robbins ‘24 was recently awarded a top undergraduate prize at the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS) 2024 Annual Meeting for his work, titled "Defining Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) for Environmental Justice: Variation and Impact."
Let's build a better future together.
Clarkson University faculty and students are working together to find solutions for a more sustainable world. Join us.