McCombs Alumni Network News

From McCombs TODAY

Four McCombs School of Business students were among 22 UT graduate and undergraduate students whose yearlong research findings into renewable energy use was presented at the Steps Toward a Sustainable Austin Energy Symposium at the UT School of Law March 10.

The research project and public panel discussion was sponsored by Austin Energy and Solar Austin with funding from the City of Austin and was aimed at answering the question of whether Austin can achieve carbon neutrality by 2020.

“Our findings suggest that it is possible for Austin Energy to get to carbon neutrality by 2020, but it would be very expensive for them to do so, and it requires getting rid of their interest in the Fayette Power Plant,” said Mark McCarthy, MBA ’09. “In order for this to be at all practical, further developments will need to be made in the field of electricity storage.  Alternately, they’ll need to make an investment in nuclear to offset the loss of production from coal.”

McCarthy said Austin Energy has frequently solicited public feedback on ways to pursue future investments in sustainable energy, but these forums did not lead to cohesive recommendations. The research project was commissioned to help resolve some of these shortcomings.

“The most rewarding part of the project was producing a product that may be used to guide future investments in renewable energy, or at the very least informing the public about the options that are available,” McCarthy said.

Marina Isupov, a dual degree graduate student in business administration and public affairs, said the research findings were an opportunity gain an insider’s view on the electrical utility sector and interact with various experts to hear diverse perspectives on energy sustainability. Isupov is interested in both the research and policy aspects in this field, and also how businesses can apply these findings into socially responsible practices.

The UT research project was part of class that each semester brings students from a number of colleges and diverse backgrounds to work on a policy issue of concern to a non-profit or government agency.