Appendix 5: Mathematical Challenges in Energy Sustainability
Authors:
Rene Carmona (Princeton University)
Doyne Farmer (Santa Fe Institute)
Irene Fonseca (Carnegie Mellon University)
John Guckenheimer (Cornell University)
Geoffrey Heal (Columbia University)
Warren Powell (Princeton University)
David Waltz (Columbia University)
Hank Warchall (NSF)
Charge to the Group
Energy is at the heart of modern life, but it has crucial connections to a
sustainable life on the planet. The theme of this group is to investigate
sustainable energy pathways, to look at the entire pathway from production to
storage to distribution to conservation to environmental impact. The group should
consider mathematical challenges in all phases of the energy system, from how
best to generate energy, to how to store it so it is available when needed, to how
to transmit and distribute it effectively and efficiently, to how to conserve it.
Introduction
This white paper focuses on the identification of a set of mathematical goals,
strategies, cross-cutting themes and research questions prompted by the
challenges posed by the apparent conflict between the ever-growing appetite for
energy of a modern society and the imperative need to rely on sustainable
production methods. We will discuss and identify areas where investments
should be made in research and education in the mathematical sciences that will
better position this and future generations to attain this sustainability goal.
Energy research cannot be carried out completely within traditional vertically
integrated academic structures. It requires interdisciplinary collaborations that bridge
computer science, engineering (electrical, mechanical, civil, biomedical, financial,
environmental, etc.), finance, law, business, natural science (physics, biology, chemistry,
etc.), medicine, public policy, and others, glued and kept together by mathematics. This
will require new funding mechanisms and new ways of organizing research.
Main Goals and Societal IssuesWe identify the following objectives:
- To reduce environmental impact of energy production and consumption. This
objective should be attained while maintaining and possibly improving standards