MITEI is the hub for energy research, education, and outreach at MIT, collaborating with more than 20 of the Institute's departments, laboratories, centers, and initiatives, as well as student organizations, to address urgent energy challenges.
MITEI works with leading energy and power companies to support MIT researchers seeking zero- and low-carbon solutions to advance the energy transition. We provide educational and research opportunities for future energy leaders through our support for MIT undergraduate and graduate students and for postdoctoral researchers contributing to the energy transition.
MITEI reports to the Office of the Vice President for Research, along with units such as the Plasma Science Fusion Center, MIT.nano, the Industrial Liaison Program, Materials Research Laboratory, Lincoln Labs, and the Technology Licensing Office. We have special relationships with the following MIT units:
Established in 1977, the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research (CEEPR) advances rigorous, policy-relevant research on energy and environmental issues to inform decision-making in government and industry. CEEPR is directed by Professor Christopher Knittel of the MIT Sloan School of Management and is jointly sponsored by MIT Sloan, the Department of Economics, and MITEI.
CEEPR’s affiliated faculty, research staff, and international research associates conduct empirical research across a broad range of topics, including coal, oil, gas, and electricity markets; nuclear power; mobility; energy infrastructure; energy affordability; and the energy implications of digital technologies. CEEPR produces working papers, research commentaries, and research contributions to larger interdisciplinary studies, often in collaboration with academic, public-sector, and industry partners.
The Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy (CS3) leads research to guide societal transitions toward a more sustainable future and is directed by Professor Noelle Selin of the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society. Drawing on the long history of MIT’s efforts to address global change and its integrated environmental and human dimensions, the center advances knowledge and computational capabilities in the field of sustainability science and supports decision makers in government, industry, and civil society to achieve sustainability goals. Five of CS3’s research scientists are employees of MITEI.
The MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center (PSFC), led by Interim Director Steven Wukitch, is one of the world’s largest university-based fusion laboratories, conducting multidisciplinary research in plasma physics and fusion science through an integrated program of research and education. The PSFC’s 150 staff and 90 graduate students work to solve fusion’s remaining challenges, accelerating the arrival of fusion as a practical clean energy source. PSFC also has researchers studying innovative superhot geothermal drilling technology. MITEI handles substantial research funding for PSFC from MITEI member companies and employs a full-time liaison to coordinate fusion activities with PSFC.
MITEI has collaborated on energy challenges with many units at MIT
- Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Library
- Concrete Sustainability Hub
- Earth Resources Laboratory
- Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences
- Economics
- Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
- Institute for Data, Systems, & Society
- Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies
- Laboratory for Electromagnetic & Electronic Systems
- Laboratory for Information & Decision Systems
- Materials Research Laboratory