Energy-related issues are becoming increasingly vital in the 21st century for numerous reasons. It is an obvious fact that the rate of production of fossil fuels occurs at a rate (geological time scales) much slower than the rate at which we consume energy (rate of consumption to further increase with the developing economies). While demand for energy increases, traditional fossil fuel sources (oil and coal and natural gas) are becoming more difficult to develop, are more expensive, and may not meet the demands in the future. An important aspect is the impact of energy production on the environment. Controversies and disputes regarding extraction and use of these fossil fuels are intensifying. Alternative ways of meeting energy needs, usually with renewable sources such as wind and solar, are being proposed, but these proposals rarely come with thorough interdisciplinary review and systematic study. A center for the study of energy at Washington University would have many attributes that could foster timely ideas and compelling analyses as the world transitions to new energy systems. This report provides some brief examples of those attributes in the contexts of immediate challenges, intermediate solutions, and future possibilities and then discusses education and outreach potential.
 
Key Issues:
 
Energy issues span several time scales: from the present, to a period of transition, and eventually to the future. For the present and immediate future (transition period), the world will necessarily continue to rely on fossil fuels. The consequences of such reliance, especially air pollution and global warming, are well-known, but Washington University researchers are already working on projects that can minimize and mitigate damaging effects. Consider the following examples. Environmental engineers (Axelbaum, Biswas, Giammar, and others) are working on nano-particles and other innovative technologies to pursue carbon dioxide mitigation and the reduction of pollutants. A group of researchers in physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering (Kelton, Gelb, Biswas, Angenent, Agarwal, Al-Dahhan) are involved in research related to alternate energy generation, usage, and application. Scientists in earth and planetary sciences (Arvidson, Smith) have produced computer simulations of climate-related activity on this and other planets. Other scholars (such as Smith and Stone in anthropology) are doing research that could contribute to conservation efforts in agriculture and other energy-usage areas. The Environmental Clinic (Lipeles and Martin) has pursued several cases that involve energy-related impacts and consequences. Some of these current programs, notably the clinic, already use the interdisciplinary synergy available at this University to address these issues, but a center would greatly facilitate such collaborations in the future.
 
Washington University personnel are already working on programs that could provide intermediate solutions to energy needs over the next several decades. Some in environmental engineering (Biswas, Holten, Khomami) are researching the possible use of alternate energy sources such as photo splitting of water to produce hydrogen using nanomaterials and solar energy. Other Arts & Sciences faculty (Kelton, Gelb) are researching methods for storage of hydrogen in novel materials. Scholars who study river systems (Criss in earth and planetary sciences, Kidder in anthropology, and Lowry in political science) can offer expertise on issues related to the continuing interest in greater use of hydropower. Social scientists also have a role to play in better understanding of the scenarios of energy generation and usage: Will we be moving away from a centralized generation scheme to a more distributed method in the future? Current work on waste-to-energy conversion (Angenent) and direct conversion of solar energy (Holten, Biswas, Pakrasi) provide the technological backing for such studies. Scientists in physics (Carlsson and Dickhoff) are working on other innovative approaches to energy. Many people in facilities (Barry, Thaman, Rackers) are planning to make buildings less energy intensive. Again, these intermediate efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels will require collaboration for realistic analyses. For example, consider the renewed interest in developing nuclear power. Any study that does not address economic and political factors as well as scientific, technological, and safety issues involving this approach will be incomplete. A center for studying energy would foster such interdisciplinary cooperation.
 
The greatest need for systematic, interdisciplinary work involves long-term future solutions to energy demands. Are renewable sources the answer? Scholars will need to study patterns of generation and distribution, technological barriers to hydrogen production, storage, and usage. Can solar-based systems, such as the photo splitting of water, overcome storage and distribution problems? Some Washington University researchers are already addressing these questions, but compelling answers will need long-term, cross-discipline cooperation and review.
 
The potential for high-quality work in this field is very high at this University. A center for the study of energy would not only nurture that potential but would generate significant educational and outreach possibilities.
 
Interactions:
 
The study of energy issues has clearly ties to the centers that will study aerosols and air quality, rivers, health, and ecosystems. One of the direct impacts of energy production sources is on air and water quality. The issues of public health are related both directly and indirectly.
 
Key Players:
 
Engineering (Agarwal, Al-Dahhan, Angenent, Axelbaum, Biswas, Ehrhard, Giammar, Gleaves, Sureshkumar), Arts & Sciences (Arvidson, Bender, Carlsson, Dickhoff, Gelb, Holten, Kelton, Lowry, Pakrasi, Smith, Smith, Wysession), Facilities (Backus, Barry, Rackers, Simons, Thaman), and Law (Lipeles, Martin).
 
Summary:
 
A center for the study of energy would be a valuable addition to Washington University. It would build on, and facilitate cooperation between, existing strengths on campus. It would foster programs and efforts and that could fill existing gaps in curriculum and student training. Finally, such a center would directly involve the University in efforts, both on and off campus, to address these increasingly important issues in coming years. Due to the breadth of involvement of researchers, and an impact on facilities and operations on campus, aspects of energy generation and usage will be addressed over a variety of time scales: from the recent (to ensure that current fossil fuels are environmentally benign), to the transition technologies, and to the renewable alternates for the future.