ELab Logo THE ENERGY CHOICES PROGRAM
MIT Energy Laboratory

   The M.I.T. Energy Choices Program:
Energy Choices for a Greenhouse Gas Constrained World
Coordinated by the M.I.T. Energy Laboratory
Professor Jefferson Tester, Director
Dr. Elisabeth Drake, Program Manager

In 1997, M.I.T. launched a major new initiative, the Energy Choices Program, focused on finding ways to meet the changing energy and environmental needs of the 21st century. As the world moves toward policies to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in response to growing concerns about potential global environmental changes, it is important to explore ways to meet the expanding demands for energy services worldwide, while reducing GHG emissions. Today, world energy supply is dominated by fossil fuels because of their availability and relatively low cost. Fossil fuel combustion is a major contributor to carbon dioxide emissions - the predominant anthropogenic greenhouse gas. To make a significant reduction in GHG emissions, major changes in energy supply and use will be required. New technologies and approaches to providing energy services are needed in all sectors of the economy to make the transition possible without creating major economic disruptions.
As a first step in launching the Energy Choices Program, the M.I.T. Energy Laboratory held a workshop in November 1997 at which about 40 members of the international energy research community, sponsors and potential sponsors of the Energy Choices Program, representatives of government and international organizations, and non-governmental organizations contributed to the development of a full research agenda. This agenda covers a spectrum of supply options, use options in all major sectors of energy demand (housing, transportation, industry), and issues of matching appropriate technologies to resources and local capabilities in a spectrum of developing and developed countries.  
The Energy Choices Program is based on three major activities:
 
Since its launch, the M.I.T. Energy Choices Program has been building both its research portfolio and its sponsor base. Two founding industrial sponsors (Mobil Oil Corporation and Kawasaki Heavy Industries) provided start-up funding for projects in the fuel/vehicle sector and in the building sector respectively. Funding for other relevant projects has been provided by the Alliance for Global Sustainability and the U.S. Department of Energy.
In addition, a significant boost to the program came with the funding of The M.I.T. Venture Fund for Energy Choices by the V. Kann Rasmussen Foundation. Beginning in September 1997, the Foundation has committed $500,000 for the first year and $850,000 for the second year of activities. The M.I.T. Venture Fund is managed by the Center for Environmental Initiatives, under the direction of Professor David H. Marks.
The M.I.T. Venture Fund is designed to link industry to the kind of long-range research possible in the university context but seldom pursued in private sector R&D. Fund managers leverage the resources to encourage bolder, more innovative and far-sighted thinking that is generally the case in traditionally funded projects. Funding can also be used to fund important projects where other sources of sponsorship are lacking. Funding decisions are made by a senior level faculty advisory board with representation from each of M.I.T.'s five schools.  
The research portfolio:

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 Last modified: 6-March-2001