In the coming energy transition, big “innovation buzzwords” include resilience, distributed energy, and the Green New Deal. In this presentation, Dr. Bird will explore how we govern these new, complicated energy systems and whether the public will support and pay for them. Focusing on larger scale microgrids, he and his colleagues ask how much we are really willing to pay for more resilient and sustainable electricity. Can a common energy vision be supported by the public, big energy interests, and governments? Join us on Zoom where Dr. Bird will examine these topics and share a glimpse of the potential future of the energy transition.  

Stephen Bird is an Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director of the ISE’s Adirondack Semester at Clarkson University. He is also a Research Faculty Affiliate with the Positive Energy Project at the University of Ottawa--where he was a Fulbright Research Chair in 2016-17. His research interests include split incentives and smart housing, energy opinion and social acceptance (for fracking, solar, and wind), and technology governance (microgrids and green data centers). He’s worked with the U.S. State Department, the European Commission, and the National Science Foundation. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Clarkson Ignite at ignite@clarkson.edu.