Energy Policy Institute

• The Energy Policy Institute is dedicated to advancing energy policy and decision-making through an evidenced-based approach that is grounded in social and technical understanding of energy systems change.
• From clean and secure energy to resilient and affordable energy systems, our focus is on interdisciplinary research, advising, collaborative engagement, and training.
• Our cross-cutting approach leverages strengths in policy, science, engineering, management and economics.

The Energy Policy Institute is a non-partisan and evidence-based research and advising center that specializes in socio-technical aspects of energy systems change.

We focus on how to manage energy shifts — planned and unanticipated — in natural, technical and human systems that affect energy utilization. As the policy hub for the Center for Advanced Energy Studies consortium (CAES),* we work with policymakers, industry, and communities to advance understanding of trade-offs that are inherent in choices about clean, resilient, and secure energy systems. We draw on integrative, socio-technical strengths in policy & regulation, science & engineering, as well as business & economics to advance planning and policy.

With external funding from the National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, the International Atomic Energy Agency, Sloan Foundation, and Western Governors’ Association, among funders, the Institute completes projects on a range of topics. Key areas of current focus include: Wildfires and the grid; Electric vehicle adoption and standards in integrated planning; Universities in regional energy innovation systems; the Energy workforce of the future; Microgrids and planning for resilience; Storage and electricity markets; Cyber-security for critical energy systems; Transportation, energy and urban growth; etc.

As the policy body of the Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES), we leverage the expertise of our team and collaborators to foster innovation for future energy systems. Boise State University, the University of Idaho, Idaho State University, University of Wyoming, and Idaho National Laboratory are the core members of the CAES consortium.

Based at Boise State University, the Energy Policy Institute works with the public and private sectors in the Western region, as well as nationally and internationally.  The U.S. Department of Energy, Western Governors Association, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the State of Idaho, the Idaho Policy Institute, the City of Boise, and industry are among some of our client-partners.