Renewable energy holds the promise of a cleaner, greener, more sustainable future. But as with any new development, there are tradeoffs. Where we choose to build the projects, who benefits, and the human interaction with the technology design itself are also important to consider as part of that future.

In addition to combating climate change, renewable energy must facilitate a healthier and more equitable society in its design, sourcing, and deployment. Energy equity is emerging as a key consideration alongside decarbonization and climate resilience in the conversations driving renewable energy research and investments.

An equitable energy future means that the benefits of renewable energy—affordability, reliability, job creation, health, and comfort—extend to all levels of society, regardless of ability, race, or socioeconomic status. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and partner organizations are collaborating to reimagine a clean energy future that considers consequences to specific marginalized groups and uses the full power of innovation to avoid, mitigate, and transform those effects into positive local outcomes.

Integrating energy equity into renewable energy research

Science and research have pivotal roles to play in designing an energy infrastructure that can increase access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy services. Through a cross-cutting approach that blends social science with deep engineering and grid expertise, PNNL is working to understand how a renewable energy portfolio can be best deployed to promote human-centric and community needs.

With energy equity as a central pillar of our research efforts, we’re working to dismantle systemic barriers to renewable energy, modernize our grid, and develop creative and scalable solutions that promote health, wealth, and prosperity for all.

Energy equity research at PNNL

Our experts have a track record of achieving equitable outcomes for disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations through efforts such as:

• Selection and siting of energy facilities in a way that equitably shares costs and benefits with all users. Conducting environmental justice reviews to identify potential impacts of nuclear siting decisions on minority and low-income communities. PNNL conducts environmental assessments for proposed nuclear sites.
• Promoting more equitable distribution of renewable energy benefits by conducting research into the sociotechnical environment where energy system decisions are made. For example, by analyzing how energy storage deployment advances equitable outcomes for the power system.
• Developing metrics and analytics frameworks for measuring the equitable allocation of renewable energy technology and investments, as well as other non-energy values. For example, by mapping electricity rate affordability.
• Developing new regulatory structures that accommodate customer electricity needs and address inequities as part of managing rates, markets, and utility investments. 
• Analyzing microfinance or community-based energy assistance models of distributed renewable energy generation and transmission. Read Community Energy Storage Memo.