Eric Hittinger
Department Chair
Education
BS, MS, Case Western Reserve University; Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University
Bio
Eric Hittinger holds a Ph.D. is in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University, and a MS in Macromolecular Science and BS in Polymer Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.
Professor Hittinger has a background in electricity system policy, operation, and economics, with a focus on understanding the benefits and limitations of energy storage and renewable electricity sources. His research often uses techno-economic modeling of electricity systems to understand the effects of system policies and interactions.
Current Research:
Dr. Hittinger is addressing longstanding challenges in both the economic and environmental feasibility of electricity production in the United States. With funding from the National Science Foundation, he and other RIT researchers are providing new avenues for policymakers to develop policies to promote the advancement of low-carbon energy technologies.
Dr. Hittinger is working to help policymakers deal with the uncertainty of political and economic change by altering the models currently used to understand the evolution of the electricity system. While most extant models employ fixed inputs to account for variables, such as the price of natural gas, Dr. Hittinger’s model utilizes a range possible inputs. By accounting for economic, political, and technological changes, Dr. Hittinger is creating a better approach for making decisions about how to support renewable energy development.
Courses:
Energy Policy, Policy Analysis, Decision Analysis, Climate Change
Select Scholarship
Currently Teaching
In the News
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March 18, 2024
Finally, a way to tell how clean grid batteries actually are
Canary Media speaks to Eric Hittinger, associate professor in the Department of Public Policy, about carbon emissions from batteries.
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July 20, 2023
Would an occasional blackout help solve climate change?
The Los Angeles Times talks to Eric Hittinger, associate professor in the Department of Public Policy, about flexible demand energy programs.
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April 12, 2023
Photo, science classes merge for climate change talk by Pulitzer-winning photojournalist
Salwan Georges of The Washington Post visited the RIT campus for a pair of lectures, including one that detailed his work photographing climate change for a project that received a Pulitzer Prize.
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January 24, 2024
Hittinger named president of U.S. Association for Energy Economics
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November 13, 2023
Conference call on Monday could reveal more details about future of Li-Cycle
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March 31, 2023
Team awarded National Science Foundation grant
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January 31, 2023
Canadian Bitcoin mining under threat from proposed rules, industry says