The Chan Lab works on engaged research with communities in the energy transition


Research Areas

Current Research Projects (2024-25)

  • Distributed Energy Resource Innovation Initiative

    A research and action partnership with Great River Energy and its member cooperatives studying real-time, rural energy transitions.

    Started 2022

  • Learning from Past Market Transformations

    Looking at past market transformations to glean best practices for deploying distributed energy resources.

    Started 2024

  • Weatherization Assistance Program Map

    Working with the Minnesota Department of Commerce to analyze and display weatherization activites.

    Started 2024

  • Utility Innovation Practices

    Working with Grid Catalyst, researching how technology innovation, pilots, and startups can work better with utilities

    Started 2024

  • Aligning Food Production and Solar

    Uncovering the potential for co-locating solar and farmland while maximizing social benefits

    Started 2021

  • Uncovering Energy Insecurity

    Partnering across four universities, examining disconnections, energy assistance programs, and energy-limiting behaviors in the United States

    Started 2022

  • Community Shared Solar Tracking

    Reseaching the ongoing deployment of community shared solar with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

    Started 2018

Reach Out

Get in touch with us to hear about our work in progress, inquire about collaborating with our team, or engage on your organization's challenges: gabechan@umn.edu