UConn and Eversource are pleased to announce that the Clean Energy Sustainability Innovation Program is being offered again in Spring 2024.
We welcome all students across the university to pitch their “grant ideas” to explore local sustainability challenges that matter to them.
Through this summer program, students will get to workshop their ideas in both an academic and industry setting and develop the skills to apply critical thinking to their clean energy sustainability ideas. Teams will present their projects at a university-wide Sustainable Clean Energy Summit on September 23rd, 2024, and be eligible to receive additional funding and support to extend their research and development throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.
Through this program, students will:
- Develop their interpersonal communication and critical-thinking skills
- Receive a summer stipend to work with UConn faculty and Eversource managers to get your team’s idea in development
- Learn about the ins and outs of research development and problem-solving
- Access opportunities for research and internship with Eversource
- Contribute to the decarbonizing efforts of UConn and long-term sustainability goals of Connecticut towns and municipalities
About The Challenge
Connecticut has committed to getting all its energy from zero carbon sources by 2040 and reducing statewide emissions by 45% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. At the same time, the state has an ambitious Economic Development Plan to attract and retain a growing population, while supporting and generating inclusive economic opportunity within innovative and specialized industries. Both goals require a modernized electric power grid to integrate new renewable energy sources, meet the increasing electric demand and maintain reliability in the face of climate change.
A comprehensive solution to this challenge would address each of the following questions:
- What transmission and distribution infrastructure upgrades, and new sources of generation, are needed to meet both the clean energy and economic development goals? What benefits can generation and power grid enhancements provide to communities?
- How can Connecticut towns achieve their clean energy and economic development goals while ensuring that the benefits of the transition are shared equitably? How can vulnerable or disadvantaged populations in Conn. towns benefit from clean energy technologies and infrastructure development?
- How can these goals be accomplished while also ensuring environmental and community impacts are minimized, and community benefits are prioritized? Who should influence how and when decisions are made at the local level?
Areas of research that could also support local objectives cover, but are not limited to, economic modeling and analysis, legislative and policy changes, financial evaluation of costs to customers and/or developers, rate of growth of renewables and electric load and impact to the transmission and/or distribution electrical grid, integration of new energy technologies to meet anticipated load growth, other approaches to reduce emissions, etc. Teams are encouraged to work with local governments and/or organizations as part of their project. UConn and Eversource can assist teams in connecting with local decision makers.
Selected Student Teams
The competition has attracted an impressive group of participants, with five finalist teams comprising 13 students – four undergraduates and nine graduates. These talented individuals represent six diverse departments and schools: Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, School of Computing, School of Public Policy, and Department of Mathematics. This multidisciplinary approach ensures a wide range of perspectives and expertise in tackling the complex challenges of clean energy.
| Project | Student Name | UConn Mentor | Eversource Mentor |
| The Energy Justice Mapping Tool
The Energy Justice Mapping Tool is an innovative initiative designed to address energy inequities and promote sustainable energy solutions in Connecticut. By integrating data on energy access, affordability, socioeconomic factors, and renewable energy potential, this powerful tool empowers communities to visualize and analyze energy-related challenges through an interactive mapping interface. The project aims to identify areas facing energy injustice, to help prioritize targeted interventions, and facilitate the deployment of renewable energy resources. This groundbreaking tool will equip policymakers, community organizations, and industry stakeholders with data-driven insights and collaborative strategies to drive energy equity, foster renewable energy adoption, and shape a more sustainable and just energy future for all. |
Umar Salman, Ph.D. Student, Electrical Engineering
Binit Gautam, Ph.D. Student, Civil Engineering
Charitarth Chugh, Undergraduate Student, Mathematics and Statistics |
Zongjie Wang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Director, Eversource Energy Center |
Lissette Andino
Director, Equity and Environmental Justice |
| A Probabilistic Real-Time Controller for Restoration Control Actions During Hurricane Disasters with High Penetration of Renewable Energy
This project aims to develop a robust real-time controller capable of deploying restoration control actions to enhance resiliency in power distribution systems with high penetration of renewable energy, particularly during hurricanes. By leveraging learned-based probabilistic prediction models (PPM) using Bayesian Neural Networks, the project will predict outages, solar panel damage, and irradiance, addressing the lack of historical data through physics-based models. It will also utilize a Deep Reinforcement Learning environment to optimize the control of distributed energy resources and utility devices, enhancing grid resilience toward hurricanes. The project’s framework can be scaled to community and state levels, supporting decision-making in power dispatch and clean energy transitions, aligning with the Clean Energy and Sustainability Program’s decarbonization goals. |
Soroush Vahedi, Ph.D. Candidate, Electrical Engineering
Alaa Selim, Ph.D. Candidate, Electrical Engineering
Morteza Azizi, Ph.D. Candidate, Environmental Engineering |
Junbo Zhao, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Director, Eversource Energy Center |
Xiaodong Liu
Manager, System Planning, Transmission Reliability |
| Leading Connecticut Towards a Sustainable Future: Innovative Energy Demand Prediction and Resilience Planning
Our proposal aims to tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities of the renewable energy era head-on. At the heart of our initiative lies the development of an innovative energy demand prediction model, set to transform how we envision and manage energy consumption in Connecticut. Our model incorporates cutting-edge technological trends such as solar photovoltaics (PVs) and electric vehicles (EVs) while addressing climate change impacts. Additionally, our model integrates a novel architecture aimed at surpassing traditional demand forecasting methods. We will develop optimal strategies for Connecticut to enhance resilience to demand and climate shocks, reduce system costs, and achieve greenhouse emission targets. |
Jiwon Kim, Undergraduate Student, Computer Science
Buket Sahin, Ph.D. Student, Environmental Engineering |
Dave Wanik, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor in-Residence, Operations and Information Management |
Steffen Ziegler
Lead Engineer, Distribution Planning |
| Integrating Green Hydrogen Production and Transport within a Natural Gas Infrastructure on the Path to Carbon Neutrality
Recent advances permit high efficiencies for the generation of hydrogen using electrolytic cells, and a particular method is expected to enable an economically viable conversion of electrical energy (from renewables like solar) to chemical energy (as stored in diatomic hydrogen), such that solar energy can be injected into the state’s energy grid with minimal losses. The project is multifaceted and includes a focus on both energy production and energy consumption; the latter involves understanding when it ceases to be financially beneficial to consume a hydrogen/natural gas fuel mixture using the current generators. Finally, the project involves simulating a novel hydrogen fuel cell generator setup with waste heat capture systems. |
Ava Tobón, Undergraduate Student, Chemical Engineering
Alana Marquis, Undergraduate Student, Civil Engineering |
Stoyan Bliznakov, Ph.D.
Associate Research Professor, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Associate Director for Research Infrastructure, Center for Clean Energy Engineering |
Patrick Quinn
Director, Fleet Operations |
| Potential Micro-Hydropower Retrofits at Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
The research team will be looking at local wastewater treatment plants to find locations for potential hydropower generation. They will prepare estimates for costs for a micro-hydropower turbine and potential energy generation. They will also review the permitting needs and other potential impacts on the system or water. The team will propose retrofit locations for proof-of-concept installation projects to show micro-hydropower is viable as a clean energy supply. |
Zhiqing Li, Ph.D. Student, Structural Engineering
Steven Matile, Master’s Student, Public Administration
Meshach Ojo, Ph.D. Student, Structural Engineering |
Diego Cerrai, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Director and Program Manager, Eversource Energy Center |
Nick Pellon
Senior Engineer, Transmission Interconnections Specialist, Community Relations |