Localized and mesoscale effects in energy deposition in the magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system

Energy or power is one of the main characteristics of a physical system which can provide a high-level description of the system dynamics. This physical parameter can provide insight into the ionosphere-thermosphere (IT) response to different external driving at multiscales. We briefly overview observation-based sources and methods used to estimate electromagnetic energy deposition in the high-latitude ionosphere. We will focus on energy input and dissipation at mesoscales and small scales and their consequences for the IT. Estimates of energy deposition by Alfven waves in the IT will be presented. We will demonstrate importance of energy deposition at mesoscales for magnetosphere-IT coupling.