Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) is a non-profit university research institute that conducts data-driven research on global energy and environmental challenges, serving policymakers, academics, students, businesses, and the public through empirical tools like AQLI and the Climate Impact Lab.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago does
The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) is a non-profit research institute founded in 2011 and housed within the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. EPIC conducts data-driven research on the global energy challenge, combining economists, policy analysts, business experts, engineers, and scientists to quantify the costs of energy choices, climate change impacts, and air pollution, and to identify evidence-based policy responses.
EPIC's core offerings center on proprietary empirical tools and programs rather than commercial software. The Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) converts particulate air pollution measurements into district-level life-expectancy impacts worldwide. The Climate Impact Lab produces empirically-derived estimates of the global social cost of carbon. The Energy & Environment Lab provides large-scale environmental policy research support. EPIC also operates regional teams under the EPIC-India and EPIC-China banners, working directly with government and industry partners, and runs the Clean Air Program, Emissions Market Accelerator, Climate Disclosure Explorer, and EPIC Air Quality Fund. These tools and programs generate working papers, policy briefs, datasets, and public-facing visualizations distributed through epic.uchicago.edu.
EPIC's business model is grant and philanthropy-driven; the institute does not charge for research outputs, publications, or public tools such as AQLI. Funding flows from research grants, donations, and partnerships with government and industry, and the institute monetizes influence through policy impact rather than commercial revenue. Customers and stakeholders include global policymakers, academic researchers, students and pre-doctoral fellows, businesses, and media; go-to-market is conducted via direct policy engagement (India Legislators Program, U.S. Energy & Climate Roadmap), academic publication, events and seminars, earned media, and social channels. Headcount is reported at 51-100 employees, and EPIC maintains offices in Chicago, India, and China.
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Legal name
- Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
- Website
- https://epic.uchicago.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) is a non-profit university research institute that conducts data-driven research on global energy and environmental challenges, serving policymakers, academics, students, businesses, and the public through empirical tools like AQLI and the Climate Impact Lab.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Energy Policy Research
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191)
- SIC
- Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transition Risk Modeling & Policy/Market Pathways (Carbon Price, Regulation, Technology Adoption) (EUABALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- ESG, Sustainability & Impact Research (BPAHALAL), Scope 1–3 GHG Inventory Strategy, Data Governance & Controls (advisory) (EUABAKAD)
Keywords
Where Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Research Grants and Funding: EPIC operates as a university research institute funded through grants, donations, and partnerships. The institute fosters advancement of early-stage research exploring a wide range of climate and energy topics through research funding programs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) is an interdisciplinary research institute that produces data-driven research advancing society's understanding of the global energy challenge. It develops proprietary empirical tools — such as the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) and the Climate Impact Lab — that quantify air pollution's impact on life expectancy and estimate the social cost of carbon, and translates research into evidence-based policy recommendations through engagement with governments, academic institutions, and the public.
Product overview
The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) is a research institute, not a commercial product company. It offers a portfolio of research programs, data tools, and initiatives rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI), a web-based air quality metric; the Climate Impact Lab, which develops social cost of carbon estimates; the Energy & Environment Lab conducting environmental policy research; and regional initiatives EPIC-India and EPIC-China. Additional programs include the Clean Air Program, Emissions Market Accelerator, Climate Disclosure Explorer, and EPIC Air Quality Fund. These research programs and data tools translate into policy insights and evidence-based recommendations rather than commercial software products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) An air quality metric that converts particulate air pollution measurements into their impact on life expectancy, allowing users to view effects on lifespans at the district level worldwide. Aimed at policymakers, researchers, and the public.
- Climate Impact Lab A multidisciplinary research consortium measuring the real-world costs of climate change at a local level and developing the world's first empirically-derived estimate of the global social cost of carbon for governments worldwide.
- Energy & Environment Lab A research lab conducting large-scale environmental policy research and providing methodological and programming expertise for energy and environmental projects.
- Clean Air Program EPIC's initiative focused on addressing air quality challenges through research, monitoring, and policy interventions.
- Emissions Market Accelerator An initiative supporting the development and implementation of emissions trading markets, including India's first particulate matter trading scheme.
- Climate Disclosure Explorer An interactive tool exploring climate disclosure data and information for policymakers and researchers.
- EPIC Air Quality Fund A grant program supporting air quality monitoring and research initiatives, particularly in regions with limited air pollution data.
- EPIC-India EPIC's team on the ground in India working hand-in-hand with government and industry partners to devise and experimentally test potential solutions to pressing energy and environmental challenges.
- EPIC-China EPIC's team on the ground in China working hand-in-hand with government and industry partners to devise and experimentally test potential solutions to pressing energy and environmental challenges.
Quantifiable outcome
- The world's first empirically-derived estimate of the global social cost of carbon
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- COP30 Report PartnersminorCOP30 report on air pollution monitoring investment highlights EPIC-affiliated research on air quality. African nations including Angola, Zambia, and Burundi identified as priorities for air quality monitoring investments.
- University of Chicago FacultycoreEPIC acts as an interdisciplinary hub combining insights of economists, policy analysts, business experts with technical expertise of engineers and scientists across University of Chicago departments.
- Government and Industry Partners (India)coreEPIC-India team works hand-in-hand with government and industry partners to devise and experimentally test potential solutions to pressing energy and environmental challenges.
- Government and Industry Partners (China)coreEPIC-China team works hand-in-hand with government and industry partners to devise and experimentally test potential solutions to pressing energy and environmental challenges.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Climate Central: Climate science communications and research organization producing visualized climate data and analysis for media and policymakers. Comparable in converting empirical climate research into public-facing tools and policy-relevant visualization.
- Ember: Independent energy think tank producing global electricity and emissions data used by policymakers and media. Comparable in open data mission and clean-energy transition analytics, but narrower in methodology scope than EPIC.
Direct peers
- World Resources Institute: Global research organization working at the intersection of environment, climate, and sustainable development. Peer in producing global datasets on emissions and air quality and translating research into policy recommendations for governments worldwide.
- Resources for the Future: Independent, non-partisan research institution focused on environmental, energy, and natural resource economics. Directly comparable to EPIC in mission, methodology (economists producing data-driven policy analysis), and target audience (policymakers and regulators).
- Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy: University-affiliated energy policy research center producing data-driven analysis on global energy markets, climate, and transition pathways. Closely mirrors EPIC's combination of empirical modeling and direct policy engagement.
Others
- National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER): Private, non-profit research organization that EPIC's outputs are distributed through. As an academic research network partner rather than direct competitor, NBER shares EPIC's economics research methodology and dissemination channels.
Broad incumbents
- Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI): Larger independent energy research and consulting organization focused on the global energy transition. Overlaps with EPIC on energy markets and climate policy work, but operates as a broader clean-energy transformation consultancy with commercial engagements.
- International Energy Agency (IEA): Intergovernmental organization providing authoritative energy data, analysis, and policy recommendations across global markets. Comparable in producing global energy datasets and influencing government policy, with much broader scope and member-state mandate.
- Brookings Institution - Energy and Climate Program: Major broad policy think tank with substantive energy and climate programs producing data-driven research for US and global policymakers. Comparable in research caliber and policy engagement, but as part of a much wider multi-topic portfolio.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago social profiles
Digital presenceEnergy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles19 records
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
What does Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago do?
The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) is an interdisciplinary research institute that produces data-driven research advancing society's understanding of the global energy challenge. It develops proprietary empirical tools — such as the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) and the Climate Impact Lab — that quantify air pollution's impact on life expectancy and estimate the social cost of carbon, and translates research into evidence-based policy recommendations through engagement with governments, academic institutions, and the public.
Is Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago a public or private company?
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago founded?
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago was founded in 2011. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago based?
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago make money?
One revenue line is on record: research Grants and Funding.
Who are Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Climate Central and Ember. Direct peers are World Resources Institute, Resources for the Future and Columbia Center on Global Energy Policy. National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), International Energy Agency (IEA) and Brookings Institution - Energy and Climate Program.
Does Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago have an API?
No public API is recorded for Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.
What industry is Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago in?
Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago's product category is Energy Policy Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUABALAD, Transition Risk Modeling & Policy/Market Pathways (Carbon Price, Regulation, Technology Adoption), with a secondary code of BPAHALAL, ESG, Sustainability & Impact Research. Its NAICS code is 541720 and its SIC code is 8700.