Energy is the lifeblood of our modern world—from fueling the cook stove to the corporate jet, we rely on a vast supply to meet our most basic needs and to propel society forward. Demand for energy increases every minute, and global energy consumption is expected to grow more than 50 percent by 2040 (U.S. Energy Information Administration). Meeting this swelling demand, reducing energy’s environmental impact, and increasing energy security are among the most urgent challenges of our time.
“Half the value of Duke’s energy curriculum comes from outside the classroom,” says Timothy L. Johnson, who is Program Chair of the Nicholas School's Masters of Environmental Management Energy and Environment program. Johnson’s students represent a range of disciplines—from engineering to the humanities. “The challenge is to reach all of them,” says the Associate Professor of the Practice. This is where bringing in experts comes in handy.
We all know the joke, “Is your refrigerator running? Then you better catch it!” Well, one Postdoctoral Energy Fellow is taking this idea very seriously. Kyle Bradbury M.Sc.’08, Ph.D.’13 co-leads a Bass Connections project team with Professor Richard Newell, Director of the Duke Energy Initiative, that is exploring how smart meter technology can be used to save energy and cut costs.
“We drove our bus out into the middle of sheep pasture paradise to visit one of NextERA’s enormous and remote wind farms. And wow, those turbines are big. In a weird way it was like being in the redwood forest.” That’s how graduate student Alex Osteen M.E.M.’14 described one of his experiences during the Northern California Clean Energy Field Trip.
These pressing issues are spurring great change. The energy systems we rely on to fuel our lives are experiencing significant flux, and technological innovation is moving at rapid speed. But energy problems are not just technical—solving them will take a holistic, multidimensional approach. In 2011 Duke University launched its Energy Initiative (DUEI) to carve out a distinctive, trusted position in this arena by bringing together world-renowned experts across a range of fields to collaborate on trailblazing research, inform policy and business decisions, and educate future energy leaders.
Duke possesses unique interdisciplinary strengths in energy education, research, and engagement.
Education: The Energy Initiative is providing Duke students with the multi-dimensional training, skills, and practical experience they need to become tomorrow’s energy leaders—people with specialized skills and an eye on the big picture who can address large-scale problems.
Research: A top 10 research powerhouse, Duke is renowned for interdisciplinary research that surpasses traditional boundaries, setting us apart from other top universities. The Initiative’s research follows suit, with faculty from widely diverse fields collaborating on groundbreaking energy technology, market, and policy solutions.
Engagement: The Initiative is a bridge between Duke and the world, connecting energy students and faculty with a broad energy community. Partners provide invaluable opportunities the Duke community, and are instrumental to our initiative’s success.
At Duke, we are committed to tackling our world’s energy challenges. With your support, we have the opportunity to make a significant impact around the world. Together we can educate tomorrow’s energy leaders, blaze new trails in research, and inform energy policy and business decisions around the world.
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