Grantee Research Project Results
Environmental Justice Impacts Across the Life Cycle of Energy Storage
EPA Grant Number: R840556Title: Environmental Justice Impacts Across the Life Cycle of Energy Storage
Investigators: Cantor, Alida , Mulvaney, Dustin , Berry, Kate , Blair, James
Current Investigators: Cantor, Alida , Berry, Kate , Blair, James , Mulvaney, Dustin
Institution: Portland State University , San Jose State University , University of Nevada - Reno , California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
Current Institution: Portland State University , California State Polytechnic University - Pomona , San Jose State University , University of Nevada - Reno
EPA Project Officer: Chung, Serena
Project Period: July 1, 2023 through May 2, 2025
Project Amount: $649,492
RFA: Drivers and Environmental Impacts of Energy Transitions in Underserved Communities. (2022) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Endocrine Disruptors , Environmental Engineering , Environmental Justice , Social Science , Early Career Awards , Air Quality and Air Toxics , Water Quality , Tribal Environmental Health Research , Air , Lifecycle assessment (LCA)
Objective:
The objective of this research is to understand the environmental justice impacts of renewable energy storage from a community-engaged perspective, focusing on different nodes spanning the life cycle of renewable energy storage infrastructures, activities, and technologies. The research seeks to understand how renewable energy transitions can occur in ways that maximize potential positive impacts and minimize potential negative impacts on underserved communities.
Approach:
A research team led by an early-career researcher at Portland State University will utilize a qualitative, case-study-based, community-engaged approach to examine critical nodes along the renewable energy life cycle. Data collection will include interviews, document analysis, participant observation, Q-methodology, comparative policy analysis, and community engagement workshops.
Expected Results:
The research will deepen understanding of how renewable energy transitions impact communities, and how the outcomes of renewable energy transitions can improve for the benefit of underserved communities. Expected outputs include: (1) a policy-facing report of recommendations for just and sustainable renewable energy storage, produced through engagement with community members; (2) presentations for academic conferences, public agencies, and NGOs; (3) peer-reviewed research journal publications; (4) a series of entries for the Environmental Justice Atlas and other community-engaged research products to be developed in collaboration with stakeholders and project advisory board members; and (5) community-engaged workshops that will strengthen community capacity and build working relationships that will continue beyond the life of the project.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 3 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 3 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Environmental justice, energy transition, climate change, renewable energy, energy storage, life cycle analysis, lithium, supply chains, pumped hydropower, battery storage, environmental policy, water, water quality, air pollution, geography, Western US, EPA Region 9, EPA Region 10Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.