Energy Transition
The energy transition, a shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Penn State researchers are discovering ways to turn wastewater treatment into a renewable source of clean energy.
Decarbonizing Energy
Globally, energy production is responsible for more than 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. A shift away from carbon-intensive energy sources towards renewable alternatives is a necessary response to the evolving climate crisis. Solar, wind, and hydropower offer cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving resources. Nuclear energy presents potential for a sustainable energy future, especially with advancements like small modular reactors.
A balanced approach combining renewable and nuclear energy can create a more resilient, environmentally friendly, and energy-secure world. It can address energy crises and foster global cooperation to build a more equitable and sustainable energy landscape.
“Penn State is a unique place to do decarbonization work. We really are the ‘energy university.’ We have expertise in all parts of the energy system, and our faculty deeply care about issues related to decarbonization and sustainability.”
Energy Transition Climate Solutions Accelerator Projects
Co-Design Climate Resilient Community Health and Climate Justice in Harrisburg, Pa.
Designing the Future of Recovery: Catalyzing Conversations on Community-Centric Resilient Housing Solutions in Rural Appalachia
Furthering Indigenous-Led, Nature-based solutions through Rights and Onsets in the Global South
Integrated CO2 Mineralization and Critical Mineral Recovery for Sustainable Urban and Transportation Systems
Augmenting Climate Transition across the Atlantic Transect: Extension-driven Solutions to Implementing Socially Responsible, High-Integrity Forest Carbon Offsets
Biomaterials and Nature-Based Solutions: Achieving a Sustainable, Decarbonized, and Climate-Resilient Built Environment
Building Capacity for Subnational Climate Action
Carbon Management: Capture, Transport, and Geological Storage
Scaling One Health Approach through Multistakeholder Engagement in Arthropod Adaptations to Ecosystem Plasticity Associated with Climate Change
Research Program for Assisted Subnational Climate Planning
Climate-Driven Pluvial Flooding: Impacts on Environmental Non-Migrants in Central Pennsylvania
Developing and Evaluating Climate Solutions Educational Strategies through Leave No Trace
Developing Transformative Youth-Centered Research Agendas & Intergenerational Collaborations to Foster Climate Justice Solutions
Implementing State-Level Climate Change Policy and Management for Water Resources
The Penn State – Belizean Foundation for Research and Environmental Education Consortium Workshop
Penn State Mineral Dust and GeoHealth Workshop
Protecting Indigenous Lands and Promoting Ethical Conservation Practices Through Design of a Sustainable Environmental Monitoring Network
Resilience and Equity in Addressing Climate Health
Impact
Penn State hosts SPARK 2050 energy summit to ignite energy transformation
To answer former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s call for an 80% cut to carbon emissions in the commonwealth by 2050, more than 100 stakeholders from across academia, government, industry and nonprofit sectors convened at Penn State to focus on building and communicating an inclusive, cohesive vision for the Pennsylvania energy community.
Sloan Foundation grant to help support equitable transition to renewable energy
An inter-university research team is collaborating with communities to design a framework for creating policies that mitigate the impacts of climate change for a more just transition to renewables, while expanding renewable energy production in the most vulnerable communities with environmental justice considerations.