Energy Resource Planning & Climate Change Mitigation Assessment

This is one of 6 past projects focusing on climate change research that was funded in 2010 as part of FAU’s Research Priorities. For more information about this project, contact the research scientist.

Dr. Chaouki Ghenai, Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering 

Integrated Modeling Methodology for Energy Resource Planning and Climate Change Mitigation Assessment

Efficiency and conservation are the most cost effective options for reducing energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, ocean) for power generation and transportation also need to be explored for GHG emissions reduction. In addition to pursuing mitigation strategies for GHG emissions reduction, local communities must also prepare for the impacts and risk factors that may come with climate change. These include limited fresh water availability, natural disaster, agriculture and food security, public health, infrastructure, natural resources, and sensitive ecological systems. An integrated modeling tool is proposed in this study to:

1. track energy consumption, production, and resource extraction,
2. track greenhouse gases emissions, and
3. analyze emissions for local and regional air pollutions.

In this study, the model will be used for short and long term energy and GHS emissions reduction

analysis for the city of Boca Raton, Florida. The integrated modeling methodology will help to evaluate alternative energy scenarios and examine emissions-reduction strategies in Boca Raton by 2020, 2030, 2040 and 2050 relative to 2011 levels.

The proposed tasks include:

• the evaluation of the current energy demand and GHG emissions;
• identification of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and emission reductions strategies  in the areas of personnel and freight transportation, residential and commercial buildings, power generation, and waste processing; and
• the projection of future energy and GHG emissions.

The overall goal of the proposed integrated modeling study in Boca Raton is to develop a climate showcase community project for greenhouse gas reductions that will stabilize the climate and improve the environment. The data generated in the proposed climate showcase community project will help to develop new research projects and seek external funding for more studies that can include Palm Beach County, Florida South East Region (Miami Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe Counties), State of Florida, U.S.A., and other countries.