The role of engineers as policy entrepreneurs toward energy transformations

Abstract

In the early 1990's engineering professors at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez (UPRM) began broadening their scope of actions by actively promoting and supporting novel and alternative energy options within professional societies, and among policy makers and government officials (local and state). This paper presents recent initiatives to continue this policy effort and the progression of the involvement of two engineering professors and their students in energy policy education, creation and evaluation using sustainable energy as the focus. Collaborations with Social Sciences professors were essential as well as the creation of a university energy institute. Courses on energy policy and social/ethical issues delivered to graduate and undergraduate students are described, including a synchronous web delivery of the policy course to law students. The energy policy entrepreneurship was taken to the real world with the creation and leadership of a multi-sector energy stakeholders roundtable, through renewable energy projects in communities and participation in energy-related public hearings with graduate and undergraduate students. The engineering professors delved even further into the energy policy process by participating in the governing board of the largest electric utility in Puerto Rico and as advisors to the Governor. Policy actions from engineering professors and students played an important role in the passing of a comprehensive electric sector reform in May 2014. The paper also presents university education efforts (supported by a DOE grant) that provide the electricity sector workforce and stakeholders with tools and knowledge needed to implement the reform mandated by law. The paper concludes with assessment results from a new course created once the professors returned to UPRM, a reflection on the background required for effective energy policymaking participation, and a summary of lessons learned from these policy experiences.