Our Research
Infrastructure Upgrades and New Technologies
The electric power industry, including transmission and distribution systems, increasingly uses information and communications technology systems to automate actions with the aim of improving the electric grid’s reliability and efficiency. However, these “smart grid” technologies may be vulnerable to cyber based attacks and other threats that could disrupt the nation’s electricity infrastructure.
Renewable Energy: Wind and Solar
The reliance of the United States on imported oil, rising energy costs, and fossil’s potential contribution to climate change have renewed the federal focus on renewable energy. Since many federal agencies support renewable energy activities, it is important to evaluate these initiatives based on financial support and other factors.
Energy and Environmental Policy
The Trump Administration's policy agenda has taken significant steps away from the Obama Administration's agenda, especially regarding the energy and environmental sectors. From the America First Strategy espoused by President Trump to DOE Secretary Rick Perry's announcement of a new national energy policy focused on "energy Realism." Environmental Policy has also shifted under the Trump Administration, with US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement to easing pollution regulations and barriers on Drilling. On the other hand, while federal policy moves away from environmental priorities, state policies are increasingly addressing environmental concerns.
Overall Economic Trends in the Energy Industry
From the decline of merchant generation to the increasing cost competitiveness of renewables and the popularity of renewables, the energy markets are rapidly shifting. Additionally, energy demand is widely expected to stagnate. However, this may change depending on electrification and DIGITIalZATION as well as energy efficiency developments.
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear has had a stable presence in the US energy mix for Decades. But this seems to be changing as nuclear plants lose their cost competitiveness to RENEWABLEs and Natural Gas in the US. Yet in Japan, the development of Nuclear energy remains a priority for the island nation.
Japan: Energy and the Environment
Japan's energy industry is characterized by an advanced electricity grid, a strong interest in nuclear power, and a quickly growing interest in renewables. The country is also concerned with meeting sustainability and climate goals, which has been reemphasized since the signing of the Paris Agreement.
JEPIC's Research Topics
(a JEPIC-USA sister organization)