One goal of UW-Madison's We Conserve campaign is to reduce campus energy consumption 20 percent by 2010.

Energy, Transportation, and Infrastructure

Creating and maintaining the "built environment" in which most people live and work has major impacts on the earth's natural resources and systems. It demands large amounts of energy in various forms, relies on a multiplicity of transportation modes and technologies, and creates complex patterns of rural, urban, and suburban development.

UW-Madison programs, units, projects, and groups that significantly address sustainability in energy, transportation, and/or infrastructure are listed below.

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Academic Programs

Civil and Environmental Engineering - Educates students to plan cities, communities, and larger regional areas and to conceive, design, and construct public works such as streets and highways; bridges; water distribution and wastewater collection systems; wastewater and industrial waste treatment plants; dams and reservoirs for water control, power production, navigation and recreation; buildings; and airports. Civil engineers help protect natural resources and create a better physical and social environment for all people. B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Energy Analysis and Policy - Considers technical, political, social, and economic factors that shape energy policy formulation and decision-making. Graduate-level certificate, Ph.D. minor.
Transportation Management and Policy - Integrates studies of environmentally sensitive transportation planning and development with studies of the economic, political, and social dimensions of transportation development to facilitate more environmentally and socially sustainable transportation systems. Graduate-level certificate, Ph.D. minor.
Urban and Regional Planning - Equips graduate students with understanding of, and training in, the principal tools, methods, and techniques in five selected areas: community development planning, economic planning, natural resources and environmental planning, land use planning, and international development planning. M.S., Ph.D.

Centers, Institutes, etc.

Energy Institute - Provides an objective forum for exchange of ideas on energy issues and to focus, integrate, and transfer knowledge to better understand challenges and identify needs in energy resources, technology, and sustainability.
Engine Research Center - Investigates the fundamentals and applications of internal combustion engines with a unique combination of modeling and experimental capabilities.
Fusion Technology Institute - Seeks to develop clean, safe, and economical fusion energy sources and to create near-term commercial products that use fusion energy to enhance the quality of life.
Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center - Conducts fundamental, genomics-based research to increase the contribution of biofuels to the U.S. energy portfolio. Aims at removing existing bottlenecks in the bioenergy pipeline, developing economically and environmentally sustainable bioenergy practices, and educating society, scientists, and biomass producers or consumers about bioenergy issues.
Midwest Regional University Transportation Center - A consortium of Midwestern universities that conducts education, research, and technology transfer to optimize transportation investment and operations.
Modified Asphalt Research Center - Helps define, address, and advance all aspects of asphalt technology, including ways to make asphalts more environmentally sustainable.
National Center for Freight & Infrastructure Research & Education - Supports research to improve freight movement, increase freight capacity, and improve public sector decision-making related to freight. Research topics include design, materials, and construction processes for highway, harbor, and rail infrastructure; multimodal systems planning and optimization; traffic operations and safety; energy and environment.
Wisconsin Institute of Nuclear Systems - Carries out research, education, and public service related to technical issues of nuclear systems with emphasis on advanced nuclear energy applications, e.g., Generation IV fission reactors, fusion reactor system technologies, and micro-nuclear power.
Wisconsin Public Utility Institute - Advances understanding of public policy issues in the electricity, gas, and telecommunications industries; provides information and education programs in addition to other services that aid in the examination and development of appropriate public policies for those industries.

Research and Outreach Programs

Green Affordable Housing in Indian Country - Promotes affordable green building practices in First Nations across the upper Midwest.
EcoPlanIT Madison - "Ecological blueprint" produced by UW-Madison students in urban and regional planning to promote sustainable land use in Madison.
Nelson Institute Community Environmental Forum - Brings together speakers and audience members from all segments of the community -- businesses, state and local government, non-profit organizations, academia and others -- to learn about and discuss pressing issues facing the environment of Wisconsin, Dane County, and Madison.
Solar Energy Laboratory - Educates students through research experiences in solar and conventional energy utilization. The laboratory emphasizes practical applications of engineering fundamentals to energy problems.
Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiative - Public-private partnership to showcase and build on the UW System’s efforts in bioenergy research, outreach and training, and to foster state and local efforts to attract and support companies working in the bioenergy sector.

Campus Initiatives

Campus Ecology - On-line guide to the campus cultural landscape, recycling, trees, and the Campus Ecology Research project at UW-Madison.
We Conserve - Campaign to encourage general energy conservation at UW-Madison and to reduce campus energy consumption by 20 percent by year 2010.
Transportation Demand Management - Promotes commuting alternatives to, from, and on the UW-Madison campus.

Interest Groups

Big Red Go Green - Student group that strives to work with the students and administration of UW-Madison to implement energy efficient programs that benefit the environment and students.
Emerging Green Builders - University-based organization of students and young professionals intent on cultivating future green building leaders.
Future Energy Challenge - Student group that promotes renewable energy and positive environmental choices through community activities, education, and policy changes.
Gaia Project - An action-learning community for faculty and academic staff members who are concerned about issues related to sustainability and global climate change. The project offers participants the opportunity to learn about these critical issues and to act at the personal, professional, campus, and community levels to address them.
Greener RE - Student group dedicated to converting real estate into green real estate; to educating, promoting and advancing sustainability on the UW-Madison campus; to creating a green campus, and to getting as many campus buildings as sustainable as possible.

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This site is maintained by the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies. If you have comments or questions, please contact us.

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