Each student will complete a 10+ page research paper that addresses a topic that will provide the writer of the paper and other students with background knowledge that will be of use when addressing the issue of Energy Efficiency.  These papers will be posted online for other students to see and use as they prepare for the Summit.

Research Areas and Topics

Electricity

Education:  How does the public currently learn about how to increase the efficiency of the electricity used in their lives? How is energy efficiency marketed?

Science and Technology:  What technology currently exists for producing and using electricity more efficiently and what research is currently being done that is likely to offer improvements over the next 10-20 years? Explain how the technology works and discuss its advantages and/or disadvantages.

Standards and Leadership:  How is electricity regulated, and what are the opportunities to enhance energy efficiency in the electricity sector? What energy efficiency standards apply to household appliances and products? Who regulates these and how were they developed?

Economics:  What current rebates and financial incentives exist in your state and at least 2 others to encourage industries to use electricity more efficiently? What current rebates and financial incentives exist in your state and at least 2 others to encourage residential properties to use electricity more efficiently? Describe how these incentives help customers decrease the payback period on their initial investment to increase their future energy efficiency. Trace the economic and environmental impacts of energy sources used to produce electricity from development/extraction through their use. Determine the total economic cost and environmental impact of electricity produced from at least 2 different energy sources. What is the current business model of electric utilities in your state and how does increased energy efficiency affect it?

Transportation

Education:  How does the public currently learn about ways to increase the efficiency of the energy used for transportation for both individual/personal and mass transportation? How is this energy efficiency marketed?

Science and Technology:  What technology currently exists for producing and using energy more efficiently for transportation (in fuels and/or vehicles) and what research is currently being done that is likely to offer improvements over the next 10-20 years? Explain how the technology works and discuss its advantages and/or disadvantages.

Standards and Leadership:  What are the current national transportation energy policies and those of your state? How is energy for transportation regulated, and what are the opportunities to enhance energy efficiency in the transportation sector?What energy efficiency standards apply to transportation? Who regulates these and how were they developed?

Economics:  What current national rebates and financial incentives exist to encourage industries and individuals to use energy more efficiently for transportation? Describe how these incentives help customers decrease the payback period on their initial investment to increase their future energy efficiency. Trace the economic and environmental impacts of energy sources used to produce energy for transportation from their development/extraction through their use. Determine the total economic cost and environmental impact of energy produced from at least 2 different energy sources. What is the current business model of vehicle manufacturers and how does increased energy efficiency affect it? What benefits convey to the manufacturers of more energy efficient vehicles and methods of transportation?

Buildings

Education:  How does the public currently learn about how to increase the efficiency of the energy used in residential, commercial and industrial buildings? How is this energy efficiency marketed to this sector?

Science and Technology: What technology currently exists for producing and using energy more efficiently for residential, commercial and industrial buildings and what research is currently being done that is likely to offer improvements over the next 10-20 years? Explain how the technology works and discuss its advantages and/or disadvantages.

Standards and Leadership:  What are the current national energy policies/standards and those of your state related to energy efficiency in residential and commercial/industrial buildings? How is energy for buildings regulated, and what are the opportunities to enhance energy efficiency in the building sector? What energy efficiency standards apply to residential and commercial/industrial buildings? Who regulates these and how were they developed? Compare 3 different green building certification programs and what their standards are for energy efficiency. What is the reasoning behind the standards in each program and which one would you recommend be implemented nationally over the next 20 years?

Economics:  What current national rebates and financial incentives exist to encourage owners and operators of residential and commercial buildings to use energy more efficiently? Describe how these incentives help customers decrease the payback period on their initial investment to increase their future energy efficiency. Trace the economic and environmental impacts of energy sources used to produce energy for buildings from their development/extraction through their use. Determine the total economic cost and environmental impact of energy produced from at least 2 different energy sources. What is the current business model of home builders and how does increased energy efficiency affect it? What is the current business model of home energy providers and how does increased energy efficiency affect it? What benefits convey to the builders and owners of more energy efficient buildings?