This case study outlines a system design process undertaken for the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to assist the leadership with translating their sustainable mobility transitions plan into an actionable program. Throughout the project, I led strategy and engagement with the Assistant Chief of Planning and our recommendations are currently being considered by the Department of Transportation as input for their resilient energy futures planning.
Collaborators: Timothy Taliaferro, Seth Eiseman
Client: Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Subject Matter Experts: Andrew Koziol, Assistant Chief of Planning; Christopher Bull, Senior Lecturer in Engineering & Renewable Energy Systems, Brown University; Ilan Moyer, Co-founder, Shaper Tools
HOW MIGHT WE CREATE POWER BACKUP SYSTEMS THAT ARE
AFFORDABLE, EQUITABLE, AND RENEWABLE?
Electricity is the lifeblood of the any economy. The ability to move electricity from where it’s generated to where it’s consumed is essential to everything we do. However, according to Cleanpower.org, our electric grids are in dire need of sustained investment in transmission infrastructure to ensure reliable & affordable power for families and businesses.
As the world transitions to renewable energy and electric vehicles to abate climate change, we continue to deal with energy inequity, especially during power outages. Even those who can afford to buy energy backup devices such as generators continue to use fossil fuel as the primary source of energy.
Current power backup devices & systems are bulky, costly, and unsustainable.
