My research explores how various technologies, from clean energy infrastructure to cybersecurity, can be adopted and used in the public interest. My goal is to conduct meaningful research that involves users in co-designing tools and resources for those directly impacted. I pay close attention to the process by which outcomes are produced. I aim to contribute to theories of public engagement and public participation, informed by and integrated with informal processes that directly involve those affected by policy decisions. This approach seeks to enhance principles of procedural and distributive justice, promoting a more equitable and sustainable future. I intend to inform policies based on practice-based evidence from research, primarily at the state level. Methodologically, I combine case study-based qualitative analysis with spatial and statistical methods.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Community-owned solar development
Embracing community ownership in energy transitions not only reduces wealth disparities but also strengthens democratic governance of the energy sector, promotes justice in distribution and structure, and helps combat the climate crisis. A clear definition and documentation of various ownership vehicles and financing mechanisms are still insufficiently documented in existing research. This work involves (1) documenting and analyzing the state-level policy landscape for all 50 U.S. states and territories based on a template we developed, (2) creating a community-owned solar project database that catalogs both current and proposed community-owned solar projects that meet our definition, and (3) spatially mapping the projects and producing interactive maps for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in the solar energy field. A preliminary report is available here.
Community-driven geothermal energy development
Community-based networked geothermal technology offers significant potential, as these systems, once installed, can provide efficient, fossil-free heating and cooling for both commercial and residential buildings. This project involves conducting interviews with key stakeholders (environmental justice (EJ) communities, Tribal nations, and community-based organizations), extensive document analysis, and comparative case studies to develop a regulatory, legal, and socio-economic pathway that supports community-based thermal network systems. This initial research will help us understand what is needed for these new energy systems, who needs to be involved, and what additional, context-specific financing mechanisms could be explored, forming a proof-of-concept for future applications in Massachusetts and beyond. We are also working on creating a Geothermal Energy Network (GEN) guide for communities and legislative advocates, including a comprehensive database of GEN projects nationwide in the United States (jointly with HEET).
State and local siting and permitting policies
To meet GHG emissions reduction targets, U.S. state governments will need a quicker shift to renewable energy systems in the power sector. Recently, many states have made significant changes to their siting and permitting policies, often by transferring approval authority to the state siting board for large projects. The idea of bypassing local input in decision-making has many flaws, and public disapproval of these projects continues even after they are built and operational. This research aims to examine recent policy changes in the siting and permitting of renewable energy projects and related infrastructure, such as transmission, across all 50 U.S. states and territories. The main findings from the analysis will also be mapped geographically, with key elements or gaps reported and submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. A preliminary report is available here.
Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs)
Over the past two years, we have been developing proposals for various reforms to the state's siting and permitting laws. Our goal is to speed up renewable energy development while still maintaining an essential role for local reviews of proposed facilities. We are focusing on Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs), which enable local communities to create voluntary agreements with neighboring residents, facility developers, and other stakeholders. To support this effort, we are summarizing existing renewable energy CBAs that have already been established. Additionally, we aim to identify the key elements that lead to best practice CBAs in energy infrastructure development. We also plan to create a process template that all relevant stakeholders can use for negotiating CBAs and to offer strategies for formalizing this process as part of the approval procedures for renewable energy projects and transmission infrastructure.
State and local cybersecurity standard of care
More than ever, municipalities, especially smaller and under-resourced cities and towns, are becoming attractive targets for cyberattacks. Attackers seek financial gain by holding data ransom and aiming to disrupt critical services that residents heavily rely on. In partnership with the MA Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS), the MassCyberCenter, and members of the International Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, we aim to assess how municipalities are performing and explore how federal and state governments can support them in implementing practices that meet basic standards for hygiene and preparedness against potential attacks. This work seeks to identify strategies for establishing a minimum baseline for municipalities and to better understand what this could involve.
Knowledge partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-Delhi) and the Consensus Building Institute (CBI)
The MIT Renewable Energy Clinic, led by Jungwoo Chun and Prof. Larry Susskind, will partner with the Consensus Building Institute (CBI) to conduct research and collaborate on knowledge exchange activities in close consultation with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi on renewable energy deployment in India. This project will assess the current state of India's renewable energy sector and develop case studies focused on community engagement, consensus-building, and collaborative problem-solving for renewable energy planning and siting. This work will also include webinars about the MIT Clinic’s educational approach, involving faculty, staff, and students from IIT-Delhi. The goal is to help IIT-D establish a version of the MIT Clinic and to start building a global network of university-based clinics, especially in the global south.
PAST PROJECTS
Change agents and electric vehicle adoption.
Local opposition to renewable energy development.
Urban resilience: knowledge gaps, operationalization, and capacity building.
Effective transportation policy-making and implementation in Chinese cities.
Reformulating the true costs of energy externalities.
Malaysia Sustainable Cities Program.