Operations research tools can help solve energy problems by dealing with uncertainty in energy supply and demand, helping decide where to invest in energy infrastructure, enabling smart grid technologies, and identifying optimal partnerships between public and private entities. Operations research uses mathematical modeling to help with planning and logistics in industries like energy, healthcare, transportation, and more. Collaboration between operations researchers and those in the energy field is necessary to tackle issues around energy and maximize solutions.

1. Operations Research: A Necessary
Part of the Solution to the World’s
Energy Problems
Kathryn Schumacher
PhD Candidate
Department of Industrial and Operations Engineering
University of Michigan
WE12, 11/8/12

2. Energy Research
2
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ali_pk/2348998181/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/knowmybackya
rd/2394376192/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/argonne/39868741
69/in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swirlspice/55372346
66/

3. What is Operations Research?
• Set of advanced mathematical tools applied to
planning problems
• Logistics, supply chain,
manufacturing,
inventory control
transportation
• Healthcare
• Energy!
3
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nsalt/28299
85075/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/rogersmith/4
100193096/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlesister/49
0643515/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/umhealthsystem/5793
718894/in/photostream/

4. Dealing with Uncertainty
4Source: GE Energy, Analysis of Wind Generation Impact on ERCOT Ancillary Services Requirements. March 2008. p.4

5. Infrastructure Investment
5
From “Green Power Superhighways Building a Path to America’s Clean Energy Future” (2009)

6. “Smart Grid”
6
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Currentvaluechain.png

7. Microgrids
7http://www.flickr.com/photos/rdecom/7160075768/
U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command

8. Identifying Partnerships
8
http://www.flickr.com/phot
os/sustainable-
rural/2204304728/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skinnylawyer/58712989
09/
Christy Herig. “Using Photovoltaics to Preserve California's
Electricity Capacity Reserves” NREL/BR-520-31179 (2001)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/j
aysalikin/7701962062/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/walmartcorpor
ate/5249869901/

9. Collaboration is key!
9
Questions?