Energy

Energy

The U.S. is at a point of unprecedented growth in technological innovation. These efforts have highlighted the critical role that energy systems and infrastructure will need to play in ensuring successful growth outcomes. Energy security and reliability are also critical as we adapt to new risks to our infrastructure and energy systems. Public policies aimed at addressing these challenges must enhance resilience against disruptions—such as those caused by natural disasters—while also strengthening the reliability and sustainability of our energy portfolio by focusing on grid modernization and resilience. The IPPRA Energy and Environment portfolio is dedicated to evaluating and optimizing various energy sources, including nuclear energy, hydropower, and emerging technologies like fusion energy, to ensure a stable and secure energy supply. 

Our research supports policymakers, federal and state agencies, as well as national laboratories in designing policies that prioritize energy security, effective risk management, and reliable communication strategies. We have a rich history of working on grants and contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, national laboratories, and state entities such as the Oklahoma State Energy Office. Through robust datasets and analytical tools, we track the evolution of energy policy and public perceptions, offering insights that strengthen the resilience of energy systems and enhance emergency preparedness.

Scroll down to learn more and explore selected project examples.

Nuclear Energy Fuel Cycle

Key among our projects is the Energy and Environment (EE) Survey Series, a national survey initiative that IPPRA has designed and maintained since 2006. From 2006-2024, we have fielded 21 nationally representative surveys and collected over 32,000 responses over time (see figure below for a distribution of respondents). 

This survey captures critical data on public views regarding energy preferences, nuclear energy, and emerging nuclear technologies (e.g. Gen IV reactor technologies, microreactors, etc.). In addition to questions about the front end of the fuel cycle, the survey captures public views about the management of the back end of the nuclear fuel cycle. This includes public perceptions about the risks and benefits associated with spent nuclear fuel, how it is currently managed, and what the future of these materials could look like.

Conducted annually, the insights gained from the EE Survey Series guide policymakers and national labs in shaping program priorities, refining communication strategies, and ultimately securing a reliable and resilient energy future. A reliable and secure energy system that is prepared for increased consumption must be ready for strategies to construct and site energy facilities at both large and mid-scales. IPPRA research speaks directly to these needs by measuring, tracking, and analyzing the evolution of social and policy landscape surrounding energy facility siting.   

Example academic articles from our work on nuclear technologies and the nuclear fuel cycle include:

• Exploring Public Discourse About Spent Nuclear Fuel Management on Twitter
• Consent-Based Siting of Spent Fuel Facilities: Evidence from Nationwide U.S. Surveys
• Exploring Aggregate vs. Relative Public Trust in Administrative Agencies that Manage Spent Nuclear Fuel in the United States

For more information, contact: Kuhika Gupta

Fusion Energy Technology

Efforts to capitalize on recent advances in fusion energy hold promise for sustainable clean energy. Realization of this promise will require addressing the twin challenges of engineering feasibility and social acceptance. Public responses to fission energy provide key insights and IPPRA’s background in this domain provides us a unique vantage point to study how members of the public think about fusion energy over time. This effort includes tracking the evolution of public views about fusion energy through the IPPRA Fusion Energy Survey as well as working collectively with subject matter experts to ensure deep synergies between the social and technical dynamics of fusion energy commercialization. Funded through a Department of Energy grant, our project is geared towards building a socio-technical observatory that encompasses key aspects of emergent technologies like fusion. Our approach is multi-pronged with a variety of efforts, including: 

1. Conduct comprehensive research to gauge public understanding, perceptions, and concerns regarding fusion energy technology. 
2. Work with subject matter experts to develop communication strategies that clearly articulate the risks and benefits of hosting fusion energy facilities. 
3. Outline key principles and participatory processes that will enable sustainable engagement with communities that may consider hosting fusion facilities in the future.

Example academic articles from our work on fusion energy include:

• Americans’ Views of Fusion Energy: Implications for Sustainable Public Support

For more information, contact: Kuhika Gupta

Electrical Grid Modernization and Resilience

Grid resilience and modernization are essential to ensuring reliable electricity in the face of growing threats from extreme weather, cyberattacks, and aging infrastructure. Upgrading the grid strengthens its ability to absorb shocks, integrate emerging technologies, and meet future demand. However, these improvements are costly and often require public investment or increases in utility rates. Understanding public perceptions, trust, and willingness to invest is therefore critical to building support for the policies and funding necessary to modernize the grid.

IPPRA has conducted extensive research in this area. As part of the NSF-funded Socially Sustainable Solutions for Water, Carbon, and Infrastructure Resilience in Oklahoma (S3OK) project, IPPRA researchers developed and launched a statewide survey to systematically measure public concern and willingness to pay (WTP) for electrical grid improvements in Oklahoma. Findings revealed that concern about grid security was highest among residents who perceived greater weather-related and outage-related risks, as well as those who had lower trust in grid maintenance authorities. On average, respondents were willing to pay an additional $15.33 per month over a 10-year period to strengthen the electrical grid, with slightly higher WTP among rural residents compared to their suburban and urban counterparts. These results provide energy providers and policymakers with critical insights into public support for grid modernization and resilience investments.

Example academic articles from our work on grid modernization and resilience include:

• Watts at stake: concern and willingness-to-pay for electrical grid improvements in the United States
• Consumer willingness-to-pay for a resilient electrical grid

For more information, contact: Kuhika Gupta

The Oklahoma Energy Security Plan

IPPRA has served as the primary energy security planning partner to the Oklahoma State Energy Office and Secretary for Energy and Environment over the past 3 energy security planning cycles (~10 years).

 A major component of this work has involved collaborating with our state partners to draft and update the state’s Energy Security Plan. This federally-mandated plan serves as a companion document to the state’s Emergency Operations Plan and provides:

1. Detailed information about Oklahoma’s energy landscape
2. A description of how Oklahoma currently plans for, prevents, and responds to energy emergencies
3. A discussion of various topics of interest for ESF-12 planners to consider (i.e. pandemics, renewables, etc.)
4. A menu of strategies for officials and stakeholders to consider as they prevent or manage energy emergencies

In the most recent planning cycle, IPPRA researchers helped state officials detail a risk mitigation approach to enhance energy reliability and end-use resilience for Oklahoma, and also provided a new formula for risk mitigation that will allow stakeholders to easily compare mitigation strategies against one another. This new formula will be piloted with stakeholders during the 2025 planning cycle. 

Finally, IPPRA leads development and facilitation of tabletop exercises in the energy emergency space, and coordinates energy security strategic planning activities with energy stakeholders and state officials.

Access Oklahoma's Energy Security Plan at the following link:

• Oklahoma’s Energy Security Plan

For more information, contact: Nina Carlson