Energy Systems and Environmental Sustainability efforts address the significant challenges of global energy consumption, fossil fuel supply and environmental impacts by focusing on the discovery, implementation, and advancement of renewable and sustainable energy technologies. 

Related Research Centers

  • Center for Advanced Decision Support for Water and Environmental Systems is an interdisciplinary research center focusing on R&D of innovative decision support software, transfer of technologies to professionals, and research in water systems modeling, hydropower optimization, improving water management and adapting to climate change.
  • Center for Environmental Technology supports the development of advanced environmental sensors for use by governments, industry, and academia.
  • Center for Membrane Applied Science & Technology is one of NSF's longest-running industry/university cooperative research centers. The center advances membrane technology in separation processes through research and development​, promotes education in membrane science and engineering​, and provides effective technology transfer between the Center and its industrial partners.
  • Center for Research and Education in Wind is a research center of the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory. The collaboratory is a unique research partnership that allows companies and other organizations to become members of its research centers and access the research capabilities of four world-class research institutions: National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Colorado State University, University of Colorado Boulder, and Colorado School of Mines.
  • Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research is dedicated to the study of astrodynamics and the application of satellites to science, navigation, and remote sensing of the Earth and planets. Research emphasis areas include astrodynamics, which involves orbital and attitude motion of Earth satellites, interplanetary spacecraft, and planetary bodies; global navigation satellite systems used for orbit determination, remote sensing, and vehicle navigation, and remote sensing of the Earth’s surface, gravity field, oceans, atmosphere and space.
  • Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels is a cooperative research and educational center devoted to the conversion of biomass to fuels and other products.
  • Colorado Power Electronics Center focuses on smart power electronics for energy efficiency and renewable energy applications and systems. The center maintains a tradition of innovative design-oriented and application-focused research and education in power electronics and integrated circuit design.
  • Mortenson Center for Engineering in Developing Communities combines classroom work, research and development, and real-world, on-the-ground experience to train engineers to work in partnership with organizations in developing communities worldwide. Our goal is to create sustainable and appropriate solutions to meet people's basic needs.

Participating Departments

The interdisciplinary Energy Systems and Environmental Sustainability initiative is advanced in research programs across multiple engineering departments:

Affiliated Programs

  • Environmental Studies Program is a hub for facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration in environment and sustainability. The program nurtures interdisciplinary academic training for undergraduate and graduate students, provides guidance for students with career aspirations in environment and sustainability venues, promotes diverse professional education experiences, fosters fundamental and applied research, forms meaningful connections with communities beyond the university, and integrates innovative, interdisciplinary programs unified by the themes of environment and sustainability.
  • Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute is a joint institute between CU Boulder and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory addressing important, complex problems in energy that require a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional approach. Its mission is to expedite solutions that transform energy by advancing renewable energy science, engineering, and analysis through research, education, and industry partnerships.
  • Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences is a partnership of NOAA and CU Boulder in which hundreds of environmental scientists work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people's relationship with the planet.
  • Institute for Arctic and Alpine Research works to discover and communicate the mechanisms that drive environmental change – matters that are becoming ever more urgent as changes in climate and land use are felt worldwide.