Monday September 22nd, 4pm, Mann Hall 323
Abstract: The United Nations Millennium Development Goals represent quantifiable, near-term objectives for sustainable development. Achieving these goals depends in part on the creation of wealth in the worlds poorest countries. Energy infrastructure is a key underpinning of economic growth, yet is also responsible for creating serious environmental problems. One of the greatest challenges of this century will be to build energy systems that minimize environmental impacts, utilize renewable resources, and help to lift people out of poverty. A central part of this challenge will be to develop and deploy energy technologies with near-zero greenhouse gas emissions in order to avert serious climate impacts. Energy models present a key tool for exploring future sustainable energy pathways over the next half century. After discussing different approaches to energy modeling, a scenario analysis of advanced nuclear power in the U.S. using an energy systems model called MARKAL will be presented.