Garrett KP, Rose KS, McManamay RA - At global and national scales, renewable energy transitions aimed at climate change mitigation are slower than anticipated. In response, regional and localized entities have taken matters into their own hands to promote expedited progress. Over 200 communities in the United States (states, counties, cities, and townships) have made public pledges to achieve a 100 % renewable energy (or electricity) transition. However, there is still uncertainty in how the operational, technological, managerial, and infrastructural transitions will occur – and despite growing support for energy transitions, there are still significant gaps in the plans set forth.

Garrett KP, McManamay RA, Wang, J - Reducing global carbon emissions will require large-scale transitions from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources. Hydropower will likely play a role in those transitions as it provides reliable energy storage while counter-balancing intermittent renewables. However, the construction of new dams comes at significant environmental costs to river ecosystems. An optimal future considers how to maximize the benefits of hydropower while minimizing environmental impact through revitalizing existing infrastructures

Thomas B & Garrett K - Electricity access in Haiti has been limited historically and has further declined in 2021 as a result of political instability including the assassination of the president and gang violence. This paper is a case study of the operations of a nonprofit organization implementing projects to improve electricity access in northern Haiti.

Garrett KP, McManamay RA, Witt A - Hydropower comprises the largest portion of the world’s renewable energy portfolio yet induces significant environmental effects in river and floodplain ecosystems. Many countries are seeking to increase hydropower capacity primarily through the construction of new dams; however, this overlooks the potential energy that can be gained from optimizing existing hydropower infrastructure. Environmental regulatory protocols globally, and especially in the US, require hydropower facilities to provide environmental flows to downstream riverine ecosystems. Most of these facilities, however, fail to capture additional hydropower energy from these releases, such as passing them through smaller turbines.

Garrett KP, McManamay RA, DeRolph CR - Global progress in energy transitions to support climate mitigation goals has been slower than anticipated; this has prompted shifts away from traditional paradigms of regulated energy ownership towards a model of energy democratization by local communities and individuals. For example, in the United States, local communities in over 250 cities, counties, and states have made pledges to reach 100% renewable electrification by target dates ranging from 2020 to 2050. However, the availability of infrastructure and the competition for renewable energy resources, as well as lack of awareness of these limitations, present significant barriers to overcome.

Thomas B, Phillips B, Garrett KP - Electricity production in Haiti largely relies on gasoline or diesel generators whose fuel supply is frequently threatened by political, civil, and economic unrest. Retail sellers have recurring shortages, which leaves black-market fuel sales as the more dominant fuel access network. Our research monitors the black-market “street” prices for gasoline and diesel for one year in the second largest city, Cap Haitïen.