Fall 2007 to present
Mechanical Engineering & LBJ School of Public Affairs
Research Topic: An online teaching tool on the tradeoffs of energy
The purpose of this research is to analyze the environmental and economic tradeoffs of electricity production in Texas and to develop educational tools to convey the lessons learned in this analysis. This analysis will allow for informed discussions on the impacts of different electricity generation proposals for the state. This research project has already resulted in the development of the Texas Interactive Power Simulator (TIPS), an online interactive learning and teaching tool. TIPS can be found online at http://tips.engr.utexas.edu.
For more information on TIPS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HTdyqOHOx4
Melissa's Publications:
1. Lott, Melissa C. and Michael E. Webber. “Evaluation of H.R. 2454’s Potential Impacts on Texas’s Electricity Profile Using the Rosenfeld Effect as a Basis for Evaluation.” ASME Sustainability Conference 2010. Phoenix, AZ. May, 2010. ES2010-90130
2. Lott, Melissa C., Carey W. King, and Michael E. Webber. “Analyzing Tradeoffs in Electricity Choices Using the Texas Interactive Power Simulator (TIPS).” ASME Sustainability Conference 2009. San Francisco, CA. August 2009. ES2009-90135 PDF
3. Lott, Melissa C., Carey W. King, and Michael E. Webber. “Using the Texas Interactive Power Simulator for Direct Instruction.” ASEE Annual Conference 2009. Austin, TX. June 2009. AC2009-525 PDF
4. Lott, Melissa, Ashlynn Stillwell, Stuart Cohen, Carey King, and Michael Webber. “Power Generation for the 21st Century.” Clean TX Forum. Austin, TX. May 20, 2009 (White Paper) PDF
5. Lott, Melissa C. and Michael E. Webber. “TIPS: Texas Interactive Power Simulator – an Analytical Tool for Direct Instruction & Informing Public Policy Decisions.” ASEE GSW Conference 2009. Waco, TX. March 2009. 09-gs05 PDF
6. Lott, M.C., and K.A. Bryant. “Photovoltaics: The Science and Investigation of Feasibility in New Zealand.” Energy Resource Management Reports. University of Canterbury, Christchurch, Sept 2003
