Research Plan

This industrial consortium framework provides a robust foundation to address Texas’ growing industrial electricity demand and resource management challenges, ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic development.

Activities and Tasks

Core activities include:

1. Advanced Load Forecasting

The initial phase focuses on data center development and oil and gas operations. Develop high-resolution projections of industrial electricity demand across sectors, with emphasis on spatial, temporal, and grid implications.

2. Integrated Resource and Infrastructure Management

With broader application to other large-load sectors, conduct geospatial and subsurface analyses for optimal siting, balancing access to energy (e.g., wind, solar, geothermal, natural gas), water, land, and grid infrastructure. Evaluate synergies from co-locating complementary industries.

3. Community and Workforce Integration

Assess local infrastructure readiness (e.g., transmission, roads, water systems) and engage directly with communities to co-develop solutions. Provide trusted advisory support, workforce training pathways, and educational outreach to align development with community priorities and talent pipelines.

4. Environmental and Sustainability Analysis

Apply lifecycle (LCA) and techno-economic (TEA) assessments to quantify and mitigate environmental impacts, water usage, and land tradeoffs across development scenarios.

5. Policy, Planning, and Stakeholder Strategy

Develop actionable insights and recommendations to guide decision-making across industry, communities, and government. Support permitting, engagement, and long-term infrastructure coordination through scenario-based planning and cross-sector dialogue.

Consortium Outputs

Detailed, scenario-based forecasting reports, segmented by industry and region.
A web-based, interactive visualization and mapping database.
Policy briefs and strategic recommendations for industrial load planning, community integration, and environmental alignment.
Access to student research program and community-based pilot projects.
Educational outreach materials and tours to support community outreach and policy alignment.

Join the Consortium

This consortium is more than a research program—it is a collaborative forum and platform for strategic planning, outreach, and data-driven decision-making. By connecting industry, government, NGOs, and communities, we support smarter infrastructure development and sustainable, inclusive growth.

For more information, contact: compass@beg.utexas.edu