VISION & MISSION

The components of the energy equation are as multiple as the ways by which energy is stored, supplied, and utilized. The USC Viterbi School of Engineering has a long history in the research of a number of them. Its strategic focus is on key parts of the two sides of the demand and supply balance. 

It is a fact that the global energy demands in the foreseeable future will still be largely met by fossil fuel. Situated in a geological basin favoring petroleum accumulations, the Los Angeles region has been a significant oil and gas producer in the past. USC was and remains the only university in Southern California with expertise in petroleum engineering. This expertise is now used to devise new methods for improved recoveries of hydrocarbons. Current emphasis of such research is on the development of enhanced methods for oil recovery, from both conventional and unconventional resources, and on the use of information technology to optimize oilfield operations: In a significant partnership with Chevron, the Viterbi School has combined its renowned resources in petroleum engineering with information technology (both on campus and at ISI) to form the Center for Interactive Smart Oil Field Technology (Cisoft). The center studies the application of information technology methods, from data mining to robotics, to optimize and manage the performance of oil reservoirs. 

Sustainable energy supply, however, can only be guaranteed by alternative energy sources. Of most importance to the Viterbi School is work on solar energy, energy storage and materials.

The reality that fossil fuels will continue playing a dominant role in the next two decades coupled with rising climate concerns leads inexorably to the need for carbon sequestration. Research is being carried out in the Viterbi School in methods to sequester carbon in geologic formations. 

The two sides of the demand and supply equation can decrease, with considerable benefits, by increases in the efficiency of energy utilization. At the Viterbi School work in energy efficiency focuses on two different, but important areas: (1) The application of Information Technology to effect efficiencies in an urban setting. This effort is crosscutting along all technological aspects of urban infrastructure as they pertain to energy with emphasis on engineering efficiency of the urban energy life cycle. (2) The efficient fuel utilization in internal combustion engines, particularly the  combustion of alternative fuels, such as biofuels or synthetic Fisher-Tropsch fuels. This is an effort on sustainable transportation and studies fuel and engine optimization for more efficient combustion.