Operations Research: A Necessary Part of the Solution to the World’s Energy

Problems

Kathryn SchumacherPhD Candidate

Department of Industrial and Operations EngineeringUniversity of Michigan

WE12, 11/8/12

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Energy Research

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ali_pk/2348998181/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/knowmybackyard/2394376192/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/argonne/3986874169/in/photostream

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swirlspice/5537234666/

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What is Operations Research?

• Set of advanced mathematical tools applied to planning problems

• Logistics, supply chain, manufacturing,inventory controltransportation

• Healthcare• Energy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nsalt/2829985075/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogersmith/

4100193096/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlesister/490643515/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/umhealthsystem/5793718894/in/photostream/

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Dealing with Uncertainty

Source: GE Energy, Analysis of Wind Generation Impact on ERCOT Ancillary Services Requirements. March 2008. p.4

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Infrastructure Investment

From “Green Power Superhighways Building a Path to America’s Clean Energy Future” (2009)

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“Smart Grid”

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Currentvaluechain.png

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Microgrids

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rdecom/7160075768/

U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command

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Identifying Partnerships

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sustainable-rural/2204304728/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skinnylawyer/5871298909/

Christy Herig. “Using Photovoltaics to Preserve California's Electricity Capacity Reserves” NREL/BR-520-31179 (2001)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaysalikin/7701962062/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/walmartcorporate/5249869901/

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Collaboration is key!

Questions?