(227d) Energy - What will our legacy be?

We, as engineers, bring an important voice to inform public policy. Our energy future is a grand challenge significantly different from prior grand challenges. Science and engineering will be fundamental for addressing energy security, economic growth, societal welfare and environmental concerns. The energy technology R&D choices we make are particularly important given limited energy R&D funding and the long time lag between energy R&D and change in the energy sector. To be effective in addressing the energy challenge, we will need to think beyond our traditional boundaries. How will we forecast and plan? How will technology and social choices be considered? What decisions will we make to meet future needs? What are relevant sustainability indicators that can be used for guiding these decisions? How are AIChE and technical societies responding?