Eric Hittinger
Department Chair
Education
BS, MS, Case Western Reserve University; Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University
Bio
Eric Hittinger holds a Ph.D. is in Engineering and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University, and a MS in Macromolecular Science and BS in Polymer Science and Engineering from Case Western Reserve University.
Professor Hittinger has a background in electricity system policy, operation, and economics, with a focus on understanding the benefits and limitations of energy storage and renewable electricity sources. His research often uses techno-economic modeling of electricity systems to understand the effects of system policies and interactions.
Current Research:
Dr. Hittinger is addressing longstanding challenges in both the economic and environmental feasibility of electricity production in the United States. With funding from the National Science Foundation, he and other RIT researchers are providing new avenues for policymakers to develop policies to promote the advancement of low-carbon energy technologies.
Dr. Hittinger is working to help policymakers deal with the uncertainty of political and economic change by altering the models currently used to understand the evolution of the electricity system. While most extant models employ fixed inputs to account for variables, such as the price of natural gas, Dr. Hittinger’s model utilizes a range possible inputs. By accounting for economic, political, and technological changes, Dr. Hittinger is creating a better approach for making decisions about how to support renewable energy development.
Courses:
Energy Policy, Policy Analysis, Decision Analysis, Climate Change
Select Scholarship
Currently Teaching
In the News
-
June 30, 2025
NY wants all vehicles electric, charging them will be challenging
Albany Times Union talks about the complications of moving to all electric with Eric Hittinger, department chair in the Department of Public Policy.
-
May 30, 2025
Why aren't more people driving electric vehicles?
Eric Hittinger, chair of RIT's Department of Public Policy, appeared on WXXI's Environmental Connections to discuss the different variables influencing consumer hesitancy to make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), as well as more complex problems associated with widespread adoption of EVs.
-
April 21, 2025
EVs are one step closer to becoming roaming grid batteries
Canary Media quotes a 2021 study on vehicle-to-grid standards co-authored by Eric Hittinger, department chair in the Department of Public Policy.
-
January 24, 2024
Hittinger named president of U.S. Association for Energy Economics
-
November 13, 2023
Conference call on Monday could reveal more details about future of Li-Cycle
-
March 31, 2023
Team awarded National Science Foundation grant
-
January 31, 2023
Canadian Bitcoin mining under threat from proposed rules, industry says