Projects Overview Pond Power Hedges for Edges Flower Power UC Wild Solar

discover our research

Working together to solve the world’s greatest ecological and energy challenges.

 

The Wild Energy Center facilitates research, education, and outreach on interactions between energy development and Earth’s systems. Energy production of the past is characterized by environmental and social atrocities. If humanity is not intentional, such atrocities may be repeated. We provide the definitive science and guiderails needed by industry, non-profits, and society for a sustainable, just transition.

 

Major Themes in our Work

Food

Energy and food are inextricably linked. We measure the degree to which the latest, most innovative energy technologies can support food security.

Nature

Humanity faces a twin crisis that threatens the global economy: climate change and biodiversity loss. We study how actions to solve one can reinforce action on the other.

Water

All energy generation depends on water. Our experts use science to understand how energy is shaping Earth’s hydrosphere from ponds to oceans.

Featured Projects

No other human impact has altered planet Earth more than our use of energy.

 

The scope of our research projects is growing but each one advances our understanding of how energy development interplays with Earth. Explore our featured projects below:

 
 

Pond Power

Field-based investigation of underwater impacts of floating photovoltaic solar energy.

Explore the project

Hedges for Solar Edges

Hedgerows along the perimeter of solar farms could offer a visual buffer and habitat for local wildlife. 

Explore the project

EmPowering Birds

Wild bird interactions with floating photovoltaic solar energy.

Coming soon

FUNDING COMES FROM

our vision

Meeting renewable energy goals in ways that benefit people, ecosystems, and the species on which our resilience depends.

We seek to shepherd Earth into a new energy era characterized by a flourishing, equitable renewable energy transition where nature becomes our most fundamental form of capital. Our scientists and partners are a dynamic force for step change.