Theme Focus: Energy Storage
One of the 11 themes of UI-ASSIST is energy storage: with modeling and optimal management being the focus.
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) says that to be able to generate electricity and store it long enough so it can be available when needed would be a gamechanger.
There are many ways energy can be generated, there are green, renewable ways such as solar, hydro, and wind power.
Fossil fuels are two examples of resources that are non-renewable.
Solar power is one of the most widely accessible forms of renewable energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory did an analysis in 2016 and found that in the United States there is an estimated eight million square meters of roof tops that solar panels could be installed on.
This study found that the eight million square meters of rooftop solar panels could potentially generate up to one terawatt of energy. One terawatt is equal to one trillion watts.
Along with being a renewable resource, solar-generated electricity can come with some tax benefits as well.
A federal tax credit has been passed for residential solar panel installation.
There are several criteria laid out by The Department of Energy.
- The solar panel system was installed between January 1st, 2006, and December 31st, 2023.
- The solar panel system is being used for the first time.
- You own the solar panel system
Among several other criteria laid out on the website.
The United States is making a push to reduce levels of carbon in the coming decades. President Biden’s goal is for the United States to be a zero-emissions economy by the year 2050.
The generation and storage of renewable resources are going to be crucially important if the U.S. wants to meet its goal of zero-emissions in just under 30 years.