The IRA invests in future sustainable energy technologies. The Inflation Reduction Act invests not just in present clean energy technology, such as wind and solar.

But also in future breakthroughs and the education of the next generation’s workers. The IRA invests in future developments and the workforce who will implement them. This could be a massive turning point.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) enacted earlier this year takes what Alexis Abramson described as a comprehensive approach to several aspects that would facilitate the future of clean energy.  Abramson referred to the IRA as “monumental clean energy legislation” and equated its significance to the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, enacted decades ago.

Before joining Dartmouth, Abramson served as a top scientist in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies program. In 2018, she also served as a technical advisor for Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a company founded by Bill Gates to solve climate change challenges. Abramson discusses the advantages of the IRA, how Dartmouth is preparing a forthcoming workforce, and the sustainable energy technology she is most enthusiastic about. Dartmouth is preparing a forthcoming workforce for the IRA, which invests in future sustainable technologies.

How does the IRA investing contribute to developing sustainable energy technology and initiatives?

Alexis Abramson: “To solve the challenge of climate change and advance renewable energy, we must consider three jigsaw pieces: renewable energy, which will prevent us from burning fossil fuels; wind and solar energy, which are intermittent; and electricity, which we cannot create when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining.

“In addition to subsidizing wind and solar, the law also examines batteries, smart charging, and demand response technology and software that assist in balancing these resources and delivering electricity when renewables are unavailable.”

The legislation tackles more of these stretched resources by which we’ve lived with for decades thanks to the ability to burn natural gas, coal, and even nuclear power anytime. Additionally, the company is evaluating additional resources. These are other nuclear and geothermal resources that could be utilized. It is robust law because it considers the entire situation.

The IRA invests. What effect will the IRA have on clean energy technologies?

Abramson: “The IRA has funds for innovation. If we consider some of the advances available today, I’d like to highlight the cold climate heat pump. These have only become feasible in recent years. This results from research conducted decades ago, refined through time.”

“We must invest in both innovation and research. It’s fantastic that universities are well-equipped to examine the horizon so that by the time we pass 2030, we will have new technology and a new holistic method of utilizing and implementing them.”

“Post-2030 will be dominated by enhanced geothermal, more compact modular nuclear, increased carbon capture, and clean hydrogen. Even artificial intelligence and machine learning. This research will aid us in developing solutions in the future.”

How can you engage students in technical courses that could lead to jobs in the clean energy sector?

Abramson: “Modern technologies and technical education, science and engineering, and mathematics must be incorporated into the curriculum. As institutions of higher education, it is our responsibility to ensure that students are exposed to this. ”

We’re continuously evaluating the curriculum and asking, “Do we need to teach all of these topics that were taught 50 years ago?” We’re also attempting to educate our students about data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. Incorporating all of this information is a crucial element of the jigsaw.

Engineering colleges are making technical courses available to all students. Occasionally, students declare, “Oh, I’m terrible at maths,” thus they never want to take a science, maths, or engineering subject in college. We are doing a disservice to those students. I’m not suggesting that we should compel them to take these courses, but as an engineering school, we have a responsibility to make them available to these learners… to ensure that everyone has STEM literacy to help advance our society.

Why is it vital to equip the next generation of workers for projects in renewable energy?

Abramson: “We need engineers and scientists to develop new battery technologies, refine carbon capture, and consider building efficiency solutions, but we also need policy experts due to the issue’s complexity.”

“Important are political science and government majors, psychologists, sociologists, and others who research human behavior, such as economists. People consider the broader picture, such as convincing people to replace their natural gas or oil heating systems with electric heat pumps. It allows students interested in various disciplines to participate in this sustainable energy transformation.”

How do you begin preparing kids for corporate careers and sustainable energy decision-making?

Abramson: “We must instruct using real-world examples. These topics that impact sustainable energy are taught to students, but they may need to make the link. Thermodynamics has been taught for centuries and is frequently mandatory for engineering students. Rarely are real-world examples of thermodynamics brought into the classroom, even though thermodynamics involves heating and cooling.

“Due to the change from burning fossil fuels to electric heating, which will require a grid that is two to four times larger [than it is today], heating is one of the most compelling challenges in the clean energy transition.”

Exists a technology that could dramatically affect the future of clean energy that you are monitoring since the IRA are investing?

Abramson: “I am particularly enthusiastic about the artificial intelligence component. If we can turn stupid buildings into intelligent ones by adding intelligence, we can immediately save 20% to 30% energy.” “This concept of more innovative car charging, more competent building management and intelligent interaction with these sustainable energy technologies is a significant optimization problem requiring machine learning, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.”