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The expansion of energy systems over the past two centuries proceeded unevenly, with infrastructure concentrated in areas of economic activity while other regions were left without reliable access. These disparities persist today, shaping global economic development patterns. As we transition to a modern, clean energy system, we have the opportunity to expand energy access more broadly while reducing costs for all users, however this requires an intentional focus on access and affordability from the earliest stages of technology development and deployment.

Access to reliable, affordable energy is fundamental to quality of life and economic opportunity. It enables education (lighting for studying, power for schools), healthcare (refrigeration for medicines, power for medical equipment), economic activity (machinery, communications, commerce), and basic comfort (heating, cooling, cooking). Globally, roughly a billion people still lack access to electricity, while many more face unreliable service or costs that consume a disproportionate share of household income. Even in developed nations, energy costs represent a significant burden for low-income households, and infrastructure reliability varies considerably across communities.

The transition to clean, modern energy systems offers pathways to address both access and affordability challenges, but only if these goals are prioritized alongside technical performance and efficiency.

Expanding access through distributed systems. Modern energy technologies enable distributed generation and storage systems that don't require massive centralized infrastructure. Solar panels, battery storage, and microgrids can bring electricity to remote or underserved areas more cost-effectively than extending traditional grid infrastructure. This approach is particularly valuable in developing regions and rural areas where grid extension is economically challenging. RASEI research on efficient solar technologies, deployment of solar in remote locations, affordable battery systems, and smart grid integration supports these distributed approaches.

Reducing costs through efficiency and innovation. Energy costs have multiple components: generation, transmission, distribution, and the efficiency of end-use devices. Research that reduces any of these costs benefits all users, but particularly those for whom energy represents a large portion of expenses. RASEI's work on building efficiency, for instance, can dramatically reduce heating and cooling costs, often the largest energy expense for households. Similarly, more efficient appliances, lighting, and industrial processes reduce total energy consumption and costs. Development of lower-cost solar panels, batteries, and other clean energy technologies makes these systems accessible to more communities and users.

Community-scale energy solutions. District heating systems, community solar projects, and shared energy resources can provide economies of scale that reduce costs for participants while increasing energy reliability. These approaches allow communities to collectively invest in energy infrastructure and share benefits. RASEI research explores how these systems can be designed and implemented effectively across different community contexts.

Understanding barriers and enabling adoption. Technology alone doesn't ensure access or affordability. Economic, regulatory, and social factors all play crucial roles. RASEI researchers analyze how energy transitions impact different communities, identify barriers to adoption of cost-saving technologies like electric vehicles or efficient heating systems, and explore policy frameworks that can accelerate deployment while keeping costs manageable.

The goal is an energy system where reliable, clean, affordable energy is available to all populations, not as an afterthought, but as a core design objective. This requires technical innovation in energy generation, storage, and efficiency, combined with thoughtful analysis of how technologies are deployed, financed, and made accessible to diverse communities. By working across these dimensions, RASEI research aims to ensure that the transition to modern energy systems expands opportunity rather than reinforcing existing disparities.