Solar Panels.
Generating Solar Power
9/8/23

UB's solar strand energizes education and research, produces sustainable energy and reduces the environmental footprint. Faculty, staff and community members connect through this cultural and natural landscape.

Water.
Preserving Clean Water
9/8/23

RENEW researchers work to keep our lakes environmentally clean and free from algae blooms.

Ice.
Checking Climate Change
9/8/23

Geology professor Jason Briner's research on climate change takes him to Canada's Baffin Island, where he studies the processes and timing of changes in glaciers and ice sheets. 

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UB RENEW (Research and Education in eNergy, Environment and Water) Institute is university-wide and interdisciplinary, focusing on complex energy and environmental issues, as well as the social and economic ramifications. It helps develop and coordinate innovative research, education and outreach programs.

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OUR FOCUS

RENEW’s research focuses on several prominent issues, including:

  • Energy Diversification
  • Freshwater Protection and Restoration
  • Ecosystem Science, Engineering and Policy
  • Societal Adaptation to Changing Environments and the Green Economy
  • Public Health
  • Environmental Management and Governance

RENEW Focus Areas

  • Climate Change and Socioeconomic Impacts
    3/17/22
    Prediction, Mitigation, Resiliency, Health Equity impacts of climate change. Role of new materials and materials assembly, manufacturing for resilient infrastructure. Designing materials that address climate change challenges (e.g. carbon sequestration/ greenhouse gas emission reduction via development of more efficient materials); Identification and evaluation of health equity challenges related to climate in vulnerable populations and evidence for mitigation strategies. 
  • Environmental Pollution and Human Health Implications
    3/15/22
    Testing, data analysis, solutions for air/water/industrial/agricultural pollution; Pollution as a social determinant of health, pollution health impact assessment. Materials-driven assessment design and solutions.  Development of “safer” materials that account for full life cycle impact, e.g., role of environmental impact materials disposal, especially with regard to the health equity impact on fenceline communities.
  • Renewable Energy and Sustainable Communities
    3/15/22
    Cleaner energy production, storage, distribution, and utilization; next-generation materials and technology; environmental justice, policy, and economics; computational techniques to optimize existing technologies; sustainable urban development, adoption of scalable traditional practices for modern cities 
  • Sustainable Water and Engineered Systems
    3/31/22
    Assessment of the quality and quantity of ground, surface, reclaimed, marine, and fresh water; data analytics and visualization; water and soil systems through an environmental justice lens; socio-ecological impacts of water pollution; advances in pollution treatment and development of novel materials for remediation; water reuse and resilience, including desalination; aquatic ecosystems. 
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