Themes & Topics

EPIC’s research focuses on three research themes that define the global energy challenge: energy markets, the environment, and climate change. Within those overarching themes, EPIC-affiliated faculty conduct ground-breaking research on a range of specific topics.

Energy Markets

Well-functioning markets are essential for providing access to reliable, affordable energy. EPIC research is uncovering the policies, prices and information needed to help energy markets work efficiently.
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Electric Power

As the electric power system faces new pressures and opportunities, EPIC research is working to identify the mix of policies needed to accelerate the global transition to clean, reliable, affordable electricity.
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Energy Efficiency

Improving energy efficiency is lauded as a promising way to reduce emissions and lower energy costs. Yet, a robust body of research demonstrates that not all efficiency investments deliver. EPIC faculty are identifying the best energy efficiency opportunities.
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Fossil Fuels

Under current policies, fossil fuels will play an important role in the energy system for the foreseeable future. EPIC research is exploring the costs and benefits of these fuels as well as the dynamics that drive change in the industry—from...
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Renewable Energy

Lower technology costs and supportive public policies are driving an increase in renewable energy in markets around the world. EPIC research is assessing the costs, benefits, and efficiency of policies being used to propel this shift.
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Transportation

Mobility is central to economic activity. Yet, a lack of fuel diversity and continued demand growth have made the transportation industry a major contributor to global pollution and carbon emissions. EPIC research is analyzing the effectiveness of policies geared toward...
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Climate Change

Climate change is an urgent global challenge. EPIC research is helping to assess its impacts, quantify its costs, and identify an efficient set of policies to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing world.
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Climate Economics

Climate change will affect every sector of the economy, both locally and globally. EPIC research is quantifying these effects to help guide policymakers, businesses, and individuals working to mitigate and adapt.
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Climate Law & Policy

As countries around the world implement policies to confront climate change, EPIC research is calculating which policies will have the most impact for the least cost.
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Climate Science

EPIC’s interdisciplinary team of researchers is contributing to a cross-cutting body of knowledge on the scientific causes of climate change and its social consequences.
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Environment

Climate change is an urgent global challenge. EPIC research is helping to assess its impacts, quantify its costs, and identify an efficient set of policies to reduce emissions and adapt to a changing world.
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Air Pollution

Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion poses a grave threat to human health worldwide. EPIC research is using real-world data to calculate the effects of air pollution on human health at the local level and to measure the effectiveness of...
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Conservation Economics

Human society profoundly shapes—and is shaped by—the natural world. EPIC research is helping to identify the costs and benefits of preserving natural ecosystems.
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Environmental Health

Energy and industrial processes introduce toxins into the environment. EPIC research is helping to educate policymakers and consumers on the social and economic costs of this pollution, and the potential legal avenues for addressing it.
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