The United States energy system is undergoing structural changes driven by technological innovation, growing energy demands, climate change, and increasing interest in energy resilience, security, and equity. The Open Energy Outlook (OEO) Initiative examines how today’s energy system can evolve to meet tomorrow’s needs. We develop models that project how energy systems change under alternative assumptions and collaborate with others to explore how energy systems interact with broader societal systems, such as public health and labor.
We freely and openly publish our models, data, and research products to foster trust, build consensus, and develop a networked community. Our research has been used by U.S. policymakers and researchers worldwide. Additionally, we can extend our models to support analysis for the private sector.
Exemplary questions addressed by our models include:
- What are the costs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when you consider energy system interactions?
- How much flexibility exists in achieving net-zero emissions?
- What are the air pollution impacts of the energy transition?
- How should the U.S. government subsidize hydrogen production?
- What are the technology and cost implications of federal-versus state-led decarbonization efforts?
- How can we evaluate the role of emerging technologies in future energy systems?
- What are the emission reduction pathways for U.S. industrial sectors?
A key initiative of the Scott Institute, OEO is a partnership between Carnegie Mellon University and North Carolina State University. The OEO is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
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With support from:
