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About ERG

Our Mission The mission of the Energy and Resources Group is a sustainable environment and a just society. ERG is a col­lab­o­ra­tive com­mu­nity of grad­u­ate stu­dents, core fac­ulty, nearly 200 ... Continue Reading »

Who We Are

A Brief History of ERG For thirty years, the Energy and Resources Group (ERG) at the University of California, Berkeley has provided its outstanding graduate students and exceptional faculty the ... Continue Reading »

Students

ERG’s sixty plus graduate students are geographically and ethnically diverse. About half are in the masters-degree program and half in the PhD program. The students come from a wide variety ... Continue Reading »

Programs

ERG Program Directory The information below is a directory of ERG programs. Please read through and contact us at erggrad@berkeley.edu for graduate program questions and ergdeskb@berkeley.edu for all other questions.  ... Continue Reading »

Publications

Student Led Publications

Renewable & Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL)

RAEL is engaged in projects to develop the science, technology, policy needs and to foster engagements that explore the future of energy, specifically the transition to a low-cabon, environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable energy system.

Faculty by Primary Interest

Areas of Interest Climate Change ERG COREDavid AnthoffDavid Anthoff is an environmental economist who studies climate change and environmental policy. He co-develops the integrated assessment model FUND that is used ... Continue Reading »

Publications

ERG's newsletters featuring updates on faculty, commencement speakers, awards and ERG Ph.D., Master's and minor students.

Summer Instructors 2024

The Energy and Resources Group summer instructors understand the complex and interdisciplinary nature of sustainability. All have significant experience teaching and/or professional experience in the subject areas of their courses. ... Continue Reading »

Equity Diversity

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at ERG Equity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission to provide education and research for a sustainable and just society. We aspire ... Continue Reading »

Affiliated Faculty

ERG has a small core faculty but a much larger group of affiliated faculty. Affiliated faculty are based in other departments on campus or at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, ... Continue Reading »

Undergraduate Minor in Energy and Resources

The Minor in Energy and Resources offers under­grad­u­ates basic knowl­edge and skills to address issues arising from the inter­ac­tion of social, eco­nomic, polit­i­cal, tech­ni­cal, and envi­ron­men­tal fac­tors shaping our world. ... Continue Reading »

Open Positions

Join the ERG Team The Energy and Resources Group is a col­lab­o­ra­tive com­mu­nity of grad­u­ate stu­dents, core fac­ulty, nearly 200 affil­i­ated fac­ulty and researchers across the cam­pus, and over 600 ... Continue Reading »

Awards

Student Awards ERG students have been recognized nationally and internationally for their research. Below, you can find a selection of recent awards received by ERG Masters and PhD students. CAL ... Continue Reading »

ERG 50th Anniversary Oral History Project

Since accepting its first graduate students in 1975, the Energy and Resources Group at UC Berkeley has inspired generations of physicists, economists, engineers, social scientists, and ecologists to reframe ecological ... Continue Reading »

Mira Shah receives ASHRAE’s 1st place undergraduate scholarship

Mira Shah, a 4th year Major in Mechanical Engineering and a Minor in Energy and Resources, received a 1st place undergraduate scholarship from The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and ... Continue Reading »

Students return from KTH Royal Institute of Technology exchange

August 22, 2024

The eight-week exchange program offered participants the opportunity to study energy research abroad.

Partnership with KTH Royal Institute of Technology creates opportunities for students

June 19, 2024

A dozen students from Sweden and California swapped places last week for summer research internships focused on digital transformation, kicking off a new exchange program between UC Berkeley and KTH ... Continue Reading »

A biotechnology that disrupts mosquito-borne disease is resistant to climate change

August 4, 2023

ERG PhD student Váleri Vásquez, with ERG Professor Lara Kueppers, recently published a paper in Nature Climate Change with some good news for our ability to control infectious diseases passed ... Continue Reading »

Alum Barbara Haya on MIT Technology Review: the Reality of Amazon’s “net zero” emissions

November 12, 2020

In a recent MIT Technology Review article, alumna Barbara Haya raises concerns of Amazon's carbon offset programs, providing research depicting that such programs can significantly overstate carbon reductions. She states that this could potentially result in Amazon exaggerating progress towards its goal of "net zero" emissions. "Under the rules for the reduced harvesting practice, landowners would generally only need to account for a 10% leakage rate in their calculations. This suggests that even if the family forest projects do draw down significant additional carbon, much of the benefit could be wiped out by larger harvests elsewhere, limiting the real-world climate benefits," Haya states.

Yoshika Crider’s Investigation on Chlorination Technology in Sandec News

September 10, 2019

ERG grad student Yoshika Crider's work on improving water systems in Rural Nepal through chlorination technology is highlighted in SANDEC's annual publication.

Isha Ray Comments on Issues Facing Clean Water Technology Implementation

February 11, 2019

In a recent article from Knowable Magazine, ERG faculty Isha Ray provides input on why many water filtering and purification technologies fail to produce significant impacts on community health in ... Continue Reading »

Mira Shah receives 1st Place Undergraduate Scholarship

November 7, 2024

Mira Shah, a 4th year Major in Mechanical Engineering and a Minor in Energy and Resources, received a 1st place undergraduate scholarship from The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and ... Continue Reading »

predominantly Latinx communities Study shows PFAS threat to drinking water in rural

June 13, 2024

Public water wells in communities of color might be disproportionately polluted by pesticides contaminated with harmful per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), according to a new study led by a team ... Continue Reading »

Advocating for Women on World Water Day

March 22, 2023

New commentary published in the Lancet on World Water Day (March 22) calls on researchers, policy makers, and professionals to strengthen their commitment to addressing gender inequities in global water delivery systems. Co-authored ... Continue Reading »

ERG’s Dan Kammen on How Recent Fusion Breakthroughs Could Pave the Way for Clean Energy

December 14, 2022

A recent breakthrough in fusion energy technology is a landmark achievement in the development of clean energy.

ERG Alum Jamil Farbes Discusses Inflation Reduction Act in NPR Interview

August 23, 2022

ERG alumnus Jamil Farbes (MS ’10), now principal at Evolved Energy Research, was recently featured in an NPR interview explaining climate capture technology. View the full transcript or listen to ... Continue Reading »

ERG Annual Lecture Returns in 2022: Damilola Ogunbiyi Speaks on Driving an Equitable Energy Transition

April 6, 2022

After going on hiatus for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ERG Annual Lecture on Energy and the Environment returned as a fully in-person event this year, with Damilola Ogunbiyi speaking at Sibley Auditorium about how to drive a more just and equitable global energy transition.

Carbon Pricing ERG’s Dan Kammen Interviewed in MCJ Podcast On Nuclear Energy

October 14, 2020

ERG professor Dan Kammen was featured in the latest episode of the My Climate Journey (MCJ) Podcast. Kammen discussed numerous topics, including the feasibility of carbon pricing in the US, the implications of switching a fossil fuel economy to a renewable economy, and much more. "There's no question that 100% renewables is possible. I've done a lot of research, my lab works on scenarios to get the U.S., China, Mexico, Kenya, Bangladesh, Morocco to 100% renewables. And in many cases where the technology mix is improving enough, the climate favors that you can do that. It's also a case that we are not today ready to think about a solar and wind only world, but solar and wind plus storage, plus geothermal, plus potentially nuclear," Kammen states.

ERG PhD Student Adam Hanbury-Brown Awarded NASA Research Grant

July 3, 2020

ERG PhD Student Adam Hanbury-Brown was recently awarded funding through NASA's Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) program, which is designed to support graduate student-designed and performed research projects that advance NASA's science, technology, and exploration goals.

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Awards ERG Students Rempel and Alford-Jones

April 15, 2020

ERG students Jenny Rempel and Kelsey Alford-Jones have recently been named NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program award winners for 2020. NSF awards and recognizes "outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines" who are "pursuing research-based Master's and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions".

ERG PhD Student Gorman Cautions Against Rapid Development of Hybrid Power Plants

April 6, 2020

ERG PhD student Will Gorman recently published an article titled "Hybrid Power Plants Are Growing Rapidly, But Are They a Good Idea?" on Green Tech Media. He discusses how though hybrid power plants can have several benefits, there are many limitations and drawbacks to using such technology.

ERG Alum Evan Mills Cited for Xbox Emissions Research

February 11, 2020

ERG Alumnus Evan Mills' research on the carbon emissions of gaming systems was recently cited on Grist. The article, titled "How the Xbox stands between Microsoft and its climate goals", uses Mills' research to display how gaming consoles like the Xbox have a significant impact on annual emissions.

Valeri Vasquez Returns with the All-Women Expedition from Antarctic Voyage

December 19, 2019

Valeri Vasquez, an ERG graduate student, has recently returned with the largest-ever delegation of 100 women from a month long expedition in Antarctica. Their journey to the frozen continent was part of an initiative to bring more women into STEMM (science, technology, engineering, math and medical fields), fighting climate change and women empowerment.

Peterman Selected as New Senior Vice President for the Southern California Edison

September 3, 2019

Carla Peterman, an ERG alumna, brings her numerous experience in public service for her new position in Southern California Edison (SCE), one of the nation's largest electric utilities.

Campus and Alumni Mourn the Passing of ERG Professor Gene Rochlin

November 28, 2018

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to pass on the news that University of California Berkeley Energy and Resources Group (ERG) core faculty emeritus Gene Rochlin passed away this weekend. 

Congratulations NSF and NSERC Fellowship Recipients!

April 3, 2018

This week, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the recipients of their Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). The program recruits high-potential, early-career scientists and engineers and supports their graduate research training ... Continue Reading »

Dan Kammen Discusses Climate Change Initiative Being Developed by California Universities

August 20, 2017

In a recent Nature article, ERG Professor Dan Kammen comments on the potential establishment of a California-based climate change research institute. The proposal is backed by all University of California ... Continue Reading »

Paper Authored by PhD Candidate Noah Kittner and Professor Dan Kammen Published in Nature Energy

August 16, 2017

Noah Kittner and Dan Kammen's new paper, "Energy stor­age deploy­ment and inno­va­tion for the clean energy tran­si­tion," was published in Nature Energy on July 31, 2017

New ERG Chair Daniel M. Kammen

July 25, 2017

We are pleased to announce the appointment of the new Energy and Resources Group Chair, Professor Daniel M. Kammen. His appointment began July 1, 2017. Daniel Kam­men is a Pro­fes­sor of Energy with ... Continue Reading »

Sustainable Design of Communities: Kammen and Fraker in Scientific American

July 5, 2017

Neighborhood efforts to reduce fossil fuel and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions, could go beyond serving as a model for sustainability by providing local construction jobs and revitalizing entire communities.

Kammen and Hausfather of ERG Respond to Withdrawal from Paris Agreement

June 22, 2017

ERG Professor Dan Kammen and graduate student Zeke Hausfather respond to President Trump's decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement

ERG Professor Callaway – Solar Power in Africa

April 3, 2017

ERG Professor Duncan Callaway comments on renewable energy in Africa, noting the advancements in solar technology in Crescent Vale News.

Kammen Comments on What’s at Stake as Trump Takes Aim at Clean Energy Research

February 1, 2017

ERG professor Dan Kammen commented in this MIT Technology Review article on reports that the Trump administration intends to shut down or slash resources for select Department of Energy programs.

Emily Woods – Kenyan Startup Uses the Sun to Turn Human Waste into Cooking Fuel

November 28, 2016

ERG student Emily Woods, CTO and Co-founder of Sanivation, discusses her start-up which converts uses human waste to an affordable and environmentally friendly fuel source.

ERG-led THIMBY Wins Categories in Tiny House Competition

October 25, 2016

The Tiny House in My Backyard (THIMBY) team won several categories in the 2016 Sacramento Municipal District Tiny House Competition.

ERG Alumni: Leaders at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

June 30, 2016

Two articles on the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory website featured the current work of ERG alumni Ryan Wiser (M.S. '96, Ph.D. '02) and Andrew Jones (M.S. '07, Ph.D. '12).

ERG Alum Receives Microsoft Grant for Ugandan Micro-grid Systems

June 27, 2016

New Sun Road is a California technology company directed by ERGie Jalel Sager (MS’11 , PhD’15). They are committed to implementing solutions to climate change and global energy poverty, provide ... Continue Reading »

ERG Professor Daniel Kammen Appointed as U.S. Science Envoy

March 31, 2016

ERG Professor Daniel Kammen has been appointed as one of five U.S. Science Envoys by the US State Department.

Shirley & Kammen: Accelerating the Clean Energy Revolution Shaw

February 18, 2016

ERG grad student Britt Shaw, along with ERG alumna Rebekah Shirley and Professor Dan Kammen, spoke on clean energy earlier this month at the Commonwealth Club's event "Accelerating the Clean Energy Revolution Worldwide."

The magic number: Holding warming under 2°C is the goal. It may already be too late.

December 1, 2015

Dan Kammen comments for the Washington Past on negative emission technology as a key to keep warming to two degrees, without major emissions cuts before the year 2020.

2015 ITRI-Rosenfeld Fellowship Winners Announced

November 4, 2015

Congratulations to ERG postdoctoral fellow Peter Alstone, who was recently announced a winner of the 2015 ITRI-Rosenfeld Postdoctoral Fellowship.

The Road from CalCAP: Can the University of California Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2025?

April 22, 2015

How Zimmerman (MS'08), ERGies and colleagues started to "save the planet" by getting Cal capped

Holdren: What Works at ERG Works

April 13, 2015

John Holdren's "tricks of the trade" presentation plus photos during the ERG Big Event.

A unique moment in history for “sustainable energy for all”

March 26, 2015

ERG team study showing how off-grid power can improve equality in energy access published in Nature Climate Change. Interview with lead author Peter Alstone.

3 Generations of ERGies Converge in Delhi

November 18, 2014

UCB faculty, staff and alumni meet Dr. John Holdren at the India-US Science and Technology Summit in New Delhi.

What if it’s not that “green”?

October 22, 2014

NBC interview of Dr. Kammen on new technology not meeting green expectations.

Dr. Holdren Handles House Climate Deniers

September 18, 2014

"If the United States does not [limit carbon emissions], it is unlikely that other major emitters in the world — China, India, Russia, Europe, Japan — will do so either."

Professor Ray & Team Selected for 2014 Obama-Singh Award

August 25, 2014

The Berkeley team will work with faculty from IIT Bombay on a 3-year effort titled the Sustainable Indian Water Infrastructure Project (SIWIP): A Systems Approach.

ERG Alum on the Executive Mansion’s Solar Installation

May 28, 2014

Watch White House scientists, including Dr. Cyrus Wadia (ERG MS'06, PhD'08), talk about the White House's shift toward renewables.

Holdren on Climate Change in the USA

May 6, 2014

Watch Dr. John Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science & Technology and ERG Co-founder, discuss the newly released National Climate Assessment report.

Holdren Sets New Course for US Energy

March 20, 2014

President Obama's top science advisor and ERG Co-founder, John Holdren, is confident that America's next energy plan "will make a difference."

50% of U.S. household carbon footprint Suburban sprawl

January 8, 2014

Chris Jones (ERG PhD) and Prof. Dan Kammen point out that U.S. households are responsible for about 20% of annual worldwide greenhouse gas emissions, which are driving climate change.