Double Feature:
Greatest Hits from the KYMAA
Two teams of students from NKU participated in the Mathematical Contest in
Modeling this year, and each studied the same problem concerning clean
energy. Each will present their solution, just as they did at the Kentucky
meeting of the Mathematical Association of America last weekend.
Friday, 4/13
3:05, MEP461
Fueling the Future Four States at a Time
Alyssa Farmer and Laura Farro
Mathematics and Statistics Students
Northern Kentucky University
Abstract:
As part of the annual Mathematical Contest in Modeling, we created a metric
called "the energy score", a measure intended to assess a state's usage of
clean and renewable resources. The energy score has two components: the first
rewards states for minimizing CO2 emissions and the second rewards
states for maximizing renewable energy usage. Based on the trend of a state's
energy scores from 1960 to 2009, we created concise energy profiles that
allowed us to rank the energy consumptions of states wishing to form energy
compacts and to provide recommendations on how to improve each state's energy
profile.
Examining Renewable Energy Trends for Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and
California
Rachel Driehaus, Sally Dufek, and Matthew Folsom
Mathematics and Statistics Students
Northern Kentucky University
Abstract:
As part of the annual Mathematical Contest in Modeling, we created
energy profiles for four western states that are interested in forming
an energy compact to guide their increased use of clean energy. Based
on data covering 50 years and 605 variables, we made predictions about
how much renewable energy the states will be producing in the future
and developed realistic targets for increasing each state's reliance
on renewable energy. Specific recommendations were also created to
help states move toward their energy goals.