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Report on ActivitiesFebruary 2006 – May 2007
University of ColoradoEnergy InitiativeRenewable and Sustainable Energy for the Future
University of Colorado at Boulder
Carl Koval, Director
http://ei.colorado.edu/
This report is intended to summarize the efforts of administrators, faculty, staff and students who have participated in the Energy Initiative from February 2006 through May 2007. It also contains information about groups at CU-Boulder whose activities encompass renewable energy and sustainability.
Contents:
2 University of Colorado Energy Initiative
3 Accomplishments and Activities (2006 - 2007)
4 Plans for the Future (2007 - 2009)
5 Unique Environment for Interdisciplinary Energy Research
6 EI Research Themes: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Transformation
7-8 Innovation
9-10 Entrepreneurship
11-12 Transformation
13 Energy Education
14 CU/NREL Research Symposium and Seed Grant Competition
Appendix Current Research Projects in Renewable and Sustainable Energy
Report produced by: Carl Koval, Roberta Klein, Paul Komor, Ami Nacu-Schmidt, Linda
Pendergrass, and Alison Peters
Printed on recycled paper
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Several key events and realizations over the past two years have dramatically changed the world’s perceptions about energy:
growing evidence that global fossil fuel production can no longer keep up with demand (peak oil)
release of the movie “An Inconvenient Truth”
publication of reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
increasing awareness that the US economy and foreign policy are intimately linked to petroleum imports
rapid growth in business and investments linked to clean energy and sustainability
These factors and others have combined to make renewable energy and sustainability critical issues for society in the 21st century.
For decades, the University of Colorado at Boulder has been internationally recognized for research in Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences. Furthermore, the Campus has several interdisciplinary centers and organizations that are engaged in understanding the complicated interrelationships between energy production and consumption, and how these practices aff ect the environment. The CU Energy Initiative commenced in AY 06/07 in order to assess and coordinate existing strengths, and to develop new research and teaching programs.
The Energy Initiative encompasses the activities of students, faculty and staff from the entire Campus. The goal of the Initiative is to address the scientifi c, political, social and economic challenges of developing and implementing renewable and sustainable energy.
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University of Colorado at BoulderEnergy Initiative
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COLORADO COLLABORATORYAssisted in formation of Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory, an agreement between UCB, Colorado State Univ., the Colorado School of Mines and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, to develop statewide renewable energy research and teaching projects
Assisted Government Relations with Passage of HB 1322 (provides matching funds for Collaboratory Projects) in spring of 2006
RESEARCH ACTIVITYCoordinated UCB participation in submission of Center for Revolutionary Solar Photochemistry (CRSP) Proposal and reverse site visit to DOE/BES
Assisted in formation of Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels (C2B2), a Collaboratory project administered by the UCB College of Engineering
Participated in development of business plan for Solar Technology Acceleration Consortium (STAC) with Collaboratory Institutions and Xcel Energy
Hosted CU/NREL Research Symposium with speakers Daniel Nocera (MIT) and Michael Bowman (25x’25), 170 poster presentations and 500 participants
Managed CU/NREL Seed Grant Competition including proposal submission, reviewing processes, and awards totaling $726,000 to 16 research projects
INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENTHeld two Industry Focus Groups involving 30 companies to determine how the EI can engage and partner with companies that have interests in energy
Formed the business outreach program for the EI - Transforming Energy and Markets (TEAM) - and attracted founding sponsors Sun Microsystems and SAIC
Developed the TEAM Insider, a quarterly e-newsletter for the business community
EDUCATION AND THE CU COMMUNITYAssessed UCB coursework related to renewable and sustainable energy, and produced Curriculum Committee Final Report recommending course development and undergraduate and graduate certificate programs
Hosted EI Town Hall Meeting in March 2006 with speakers from Law and Business, Engineering and Arts & Sciences, Technology Transfer, and other Centers
Hosted Expert Faculty Panel associated with showing of “An Inconvenient Truth” and first Collaboratory lecture and booksigning by Dr. Hermann Scheer
Facilitated discussion among Environmental Center, Facilities Management, University Communications and Office of Administration leading to Chancellor Peterson signing the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment
OUTREACHDeveloped a regularly updated web site for the Energy Initiative, with links to research, info on events in CO, job opportunities, and energy-related classes
Distributed a regular EI E-mail Newsletter and brochures for C2B2 and TEAM
Participated in the first Renewable Energy Gordon Research Conference, 2007 Rocky Mountain Sustainability Summit, Sustainable Opportunities Summit, and the Colorado New Energy Summit 2007
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Accomplishments and Activities(2006 - 2007)
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Dr. Hermann Scheer
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Plans for the Future(2007 - 2009)
THE FACULTY DIRECTOR OF THE EI WILL:serve as the UCB Institutional Coordinator for the CO Renewable Energy Collaboratory– assist in development of existing projects; encourage involvement of UCB faculty; participate in Collaboratory and Authority meetings
serve on the committee assigned to develop the President’s Climate Commitment Action Plan as an advocate for integration of research and teaching activities
supervise hiring of new faculty with research and teaching interests related to renewable energy using a search process that crosses academic boundaries
serve as the UCB Scientific Director of the Center for Revolutionary Solar Photochemistry (if the project is funded by DOE/BES)
attend departmental and institute faculty meetings for the purpose of providing information about the EI and its activities
monitor progress on funded seed grant proposals, suggest future collaborations and funding opportunities, and encourage commercialization
attend and participate in national and international conferences related to renewable energy and sustainability, and post summaries on the EI web site
THE MEMBERS OF EI-TEAM WILL:lead the development of an active External Advisory Committee for the EI
expand the number of companies that sponsor TEAM activities to 10 or more, and develop a tailored-interface between each company and the Campus
promote the participation of companies in Collaboratory projects and in commercialization of UCB energy research activities
provide summaries of CU energy research projects and activities that are understandable and useful to the business community
ENERGY INITIATIVE GOALS INCLUDE:encourage the administration to appoint an Energy Education Director, who will develop an Energy Basics Course and Energy Certificate Programs
initiate new Campus/Collaboratory projects in Wind Energy, Energy Storage, Company Engagement and Commercialization, Energy in the Built Environment, and Atmospheric Sciences and Energy Production
develop meaningful opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students to participate in the EI, such as research opportunities and course development
develop new resources for Transformation research projects
engage other federal organizations, such as NIST, NCAR, and NOAA, to be involved in EI & Collaboratory projects
continue to pursue joint activities with other Campus organizations
invite 4-6 high-visibility speakers to Campus each year
provide input and assistance to State agencies, such as the Governor’s Energy Office, the CCHE, and to Colorado’s federal and state legislative delegations
maintain a high quality web site that will provide current and useful information about UCB research on renewable energy and sustainability, past and future events, and EI and Collaboratory activities, research funding and employment opportunities
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Susan Avery and Stan Bull, 2006 CU/NREL Symposium
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Unique Environment for Interdisciplinary Energy Research
What factors allow CU’s Energy Initiative to successfully compete with similar endeavors that are being organized around the world? There are many reasons including:
COLORADO IS LOCATED IN THE AMERICAN
WEST, a region with
promising circumstances for the production of biofuels as well as wind and solar power
a business community actively engaged in implementing renewable and sustainable energy technologies
citizens who demonstrated their concern with energy problems and support for solutions by voting in favor of Amendment 37 to require the generation of a portion of electricity from renewable sources
COLORADO IS ALSO HOME TO THE NATIONAL
RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY, which
is the principal research laboratory for DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
contains 3 DOE National Centers of Excellence: photovoltaics, bioenergy and wind technology
has 1,000 employees and an annual budget of $250M
THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER, has
over 100 faculty working on renewable and sustainable energy research
existing collaborations with NREL including adjoint faculty appointments for NREL scientists and an agreement to facilitate graduate student Ph.D. research at NREL
decades of experience interacting with federal agencies on inderdisciplinary research projects
- JILA with NIST: precision measurement (founded 1961)
- CIRES with NOAA: global atmosphere (founded 1967)
BUILDING SYSTEMS PROGRAM AND THE SOLAR DECATHLON
One example of an existing research program at UCB is the Building Systems Program in the Dept. of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, where various concepts associated with incorporating
renewable and sustainable technologies into buildings are explored.
A great example of a BSP activity that combines research, teaching and outreach is The Solar Decathlon, an intercollegiate competition to design, build and operate a home powered completely by solar energy. In September 2007, twenty university teams from the US, Canada, and Europe will transport their homes to Washington, D.C., where they will construct a “solar-village” on the National Mall. The event is a powerful public demonstration of solar energy, energy efficiency, and the best in home design. UCB teams won both Solar Decathlon competitions in 2002 and 2005, and they are committed to defending their titles. Earlier this month, UCB was delighted to announce that Xcel Energy has become the primary sponsor of the 2007 UCB Solar Decathlon team with its agreement to contribute $200,000 toward the zero-energy solar home. Following the competition, Xcel Energy will make the home available for public education purposes and continuing solar research.
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The EI has organized CU-Boulder’s energy research activities under three
interactive themes
ENERGY INITIATIVE BUILDING BLOCKS
Many diverse energy projects are underway at CU. A list of current research projects
in renewable and sustainable energy is included as the Appendix.
ENTREPRENEURSHIPTransforms the world by capturing
the power of markets. It is the means
by which innovative research can
be deployed for public benefit. It
fosters rapid technology transfer, adds
value through market and feasibility
assessment and creates successes
through the identification and launching
of business opportunities to facilitate
the widespread use of renewable and
sustainable energy alternatives.
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INNOVATIONThe discovery and development of
inexpensive and environmentally acceptable
energy alternatives and strategies. The goal
of innovation is to move the US and the
world from a fossil fuel-based economy to
one that derives energy from renewable
sources, and in which energy is utilized
efficiently to provide a high quality of life for
present and future generations.
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TRANSFORMATIONThe systemic changes in the
social, economic, legal, and
political forces and institutions
that influence energy use.
Transformation-related research
explores and evaluates alternative
policies and markets that might
lead to a sustainable energy
future.
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EI Research ThemesInnovation, Entrepreneurship and Transformation
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Innovation “discovery and development of inexpensive and
environmentally acceptable energy alternatives and strategies”
COLORADO RENEWABLE ENERGY COLLABORATORY
I On February 21, 2007, CU-Boulder together with Colorado State University (CSU), the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) formed
the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory. By combining faculties and laboratory resources, the Collaboratory can pursue broad and intensive research and development projects on a scale that no university in the world can manage on its own. The Collaboratory’s mission is to:
“…seamlessly combine the strengths of Colorado’s leading research universities and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory to have a global impact as the world leader in renewable energy research and technology deployment into the market. The Collaboratory will emphasize the research of new technologies and the advancement of existing technologies through integrated partnerships with private industry for commercial deployment.”
CU-Boulder, CSU, CSM and NREL all have strong research programs in complementary aspects of renewable energy and energy efficiency. In addition to developing inter-institutional agreements for governance, the Collaboratory initiated three major initial research programs in 2006:
Center for Revolutionary Solar Photoconversion (CRSP)
CO Center for Biofuels and Biorefining (C2B2)
Solar Technology Acceleration Consortium (S-TAC)
Specifics for these three programs are included below.
CENTER FOR REVOLUTIONARY SOLAR PHOTOCONVERSION (CRSP)
In November 2007, NREL submitted a major proposal to the Dept. of Energy/Basic Energy Sciences requesting 21.8 M$ over three years for support of basic research
in chemistry and biology for the highly efficient and cost effective production of fuels and electricity using solar energy. The research will be conducted at the newly-formed Collaboratory “Center for Revolutionary Solar Photoconversion” (CRSP). The scientific advances expected in this new program will underpin future renewable technologies, commonly called Third Generation Solar Photon Conversion, for the highly-efficient and cost-competitive production of both chemical fuels and electricity via direct solar processes. The proposal contains four integrated subtasks:
Revolutionary Approaches to Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production
Revolutionary Photoelectrochemical Approaches to Solar Electricity and Fuel Production
Revolutionary Organic, Molecular and Hybrid Inorganic-Organic Approaches to Solar Electricity
Revolutionary Photobiological and Bio-hybrid Approaches to Solar-Driven Hydrogen Production.
The request to DOE/BES was matched by a 3 M$ commitment from the State of Colorado (through the Colorado Renewable Energy Spending Authority established by HB 06-1322) and a 0.8 M$ commitment from the Collaboratory universities. If funded by DOE, CRSP will sponsor new research projects at CU Boulder in the departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Physics, JILA, and Mechanical Engineering.
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Photo courtesy of NREL, credit - Sarah Barba
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CO CENTER FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOREFINING (C2B2)
In March 2007, the Collaboratory announced the formation of a major industry-sponsored research center in the area of biofuels and biorefining. Founding sponsors for C2B2 include large companies
such as Chevron, Conoco-Phillips, Shell, and Dow Chemical, and small companies including Range Fuels, Green Fuel Technologies, PureVision Technology, Blue Sun Biodiesel, Solix Biofuels, and Rocky Mountain Sustainable Enterprises. The mission of C2B2 is to improve fundamental understanding and develop new technologies in areas relevant to the future commercialization of integrated biorefining and biofuels processes:
Crop Development - (genetic) engineering and cultivation of plants with improved biofuel potential
Biochemical Processing - biochemical/biological conversion of biomass into chemicals and fuels
Thermochemical Conversion - technologies for thermally converting biomass into fuels or chemicals
Biomass Processing - overall process issues including transport, separations and purification
Product Development - understanding structure-function relationships of biofuels and biomaterial
Systems Issues - life cycle, process design/economics, societal issues, etc.
CU-Boulder’s Office of Contracts and Grants and Technology Transfer Office have drafted appropriate inter-institutional agreements that will allow for efficient distribution of research funds and address intellectual property issues. To facilitate administrative and financial management, CU will serve as a founding administrative center for C2B2. Prof. Alan Weimer from CU’s Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering is serving as the Executive Director. C2B2 intends to begin funding research projects at Collaboratory institutions by late summer 2007. For more information, visit the C2B2 web site: http://www.colorado.edu/che/c2b2/
SOLAR TECHNOLOGY ACCELERATION CONSORTIUM (S-TAC)
S-TAC is composed of the four Collaboratory institutions and Xcel Energy. S-TAC will consist of a central testing and showcase/education facility, and possible satellite sites. S-TAC’s mission is
to support and promote the commercial acceptance of solar energy technologies.
S-TAC’s vision is to provide a launch pad for commercialization of solar generating technologies in Colorado and elsewhere, such that solar technologies will become an increasingly important contributor to the energy used in the United States and around the world. S-TAC will strive to achieve these goals:
Provide detailed first-hand experience regarding utility requirements and concerns about deploying solar energy systems into their networks
Test near-commercial and newly commercial solar energy generation technologies and system integration components to collect performance and cost information
Validate that current and future solar technologies can be interconnected with the grid while maintaining/enhancing grid stability and reliability
Provide hands-on experiences for training students and technicians for the solar industry
Provide a standardized test bed where appropriate related university research projects can be conducted
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Photo courtesy of NREL, Mike Linenberger
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Entrepreneurship “the means by which innovative research
can be commercialized rapidly for public benefit”
TEAM: TRANSFORMING ENERGY AND MARKETS
The EI’s business liaison group, TEAM (Transforming Energy and Markets), facilitates collaborations between researchers and the private sector
to streamline the path to market for clean energy innovation. TEAM is coordinated by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at CU’s Leeds School of Business. Establishing a dynamic, two-way flow of information with the private sector ensures that research addresses energy needs in ways that can be effectively deployed in private-sector partnerships.
Moving energy technologies into commercial use requires a degree of flexibility and attention to end-user challenges that is not always typical of research universities. The urgent need for new energy solutions, however, requires that universities develop new models for a fast-track approach. TEAM‘s role is to provide a business liaison program that is highly responsive to market needs.
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS FOR TEAM:Building the network. Companies across multiple industries have told TEAM they want to know more about research at CU and NREL on pressing energy issues—and more about innovative energy strategies at other companies. A core part of TEAM’s work is creating an integrated information network.
One point of contact. Every company is different. To match companies with the technologies, interns, education, and services they can use most effectively, TEAM’s knowledgeable Liaison Partners will provide network members with ready access and information about current opportunities.
Educational services. Businesses are overwhelmed with information. TEAM is developing a range of educational offerings, from multi-day industry leader sessions on climate change and energy challenges to one-day workshops on emerging technologies and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Technology development support. Many new technologies in energy and other areas falter in the so-called cash flow “valley of death,” the gap between promising basic research and a profitable venture of interest for investors or corporate licensing. TEAM is working with NREL on design of both seed fund and business development support to transition emerging energy technologies into full-fledged business ventures.
TEAM works with businesses with a bent toward innovation, whether they’re traditional energy companies or not. Energy is a challenge- and an opportunity - for nearly every business. TEAM facilitates partnerships with industry leaders looking for ingenious ways to save money or capture new markets.
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TEAM focuses on a “market pull” approach, identifying specific industry needs and collaborative opportunities. This early engagement with the business community helps CU researchers to conceive, design, and produce research projects that can move quickly into the market and solve current business challenges.
TEAM’s support for business is not limited to technological research. The Energy Initiative takes a broad view of energy challenges. Depending on a company’s specific needs and interests, TEAM may assist companies in finding research support or new business opportunities in areas such as:
New technologies: wind power, biodiesel fuel, solar collectors, CO2 separation techniques
Energy efficiency activities: heat recovery, eco-efficient product or building design, and advanced energy monitoring systems
New business development: building on a company’s core competencies while identifying market opportunities in energy and climate change
Policy and markets: assessing impacts and influences on energy-related public policy and consumer behavior
SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW COMPANIES ARE WORKING WITH THE
ENERGY INITIATIVE:Making business-to-business links. Alpen Energy Group and other companies have used TEAM as a way to connect with other businesses with complementary interests.
Finding interns and potential employees. Numerous companies, including Architectural Energy Corporation and Hybrids Plus, have used the Energy Initiative network to reach qualified students who are highly motivated to work in the clean energy field.
Making research connections. TEAM’s founding partners, Sun Microsystems and SAIC, are working with their TEAM Liaison Partners on an in-depth assessment of opportunities for joint projects. Other companies exploring strategic collaborative opportunities include Sunflower Corporation and MWH Global. Potential research connections include:
- Finding clean energy research at CU and/or its Collaboratory partners that dovetails with a company interest or need.
- Evaluating research with potential for technological commercialization.
- Documenting impacts of the company¹s energy-efficiency activities.
- Strategic, cross-disciplinary work on the company’s plans to address climate change and shifting energy markets.
Linking in with other CU research centers. Companies like ExxonMobil, SolarEdge Technologies, Vail Resorts, and Xcel Energy have engaged in sponsored or collaborative research in areas such as CU’s Colorado Power Electronics Center, the Membrane Applied Science and Technology (MAST) Center, the Center for Sustainable Tourism, and the Solar Decathlon.
Addressing business and policy challenges. Domani and the Colorado General Assembly have worked with the business school’s Climate Change Strategies program and the law school’s Energy and Environmental Security Initiative to assess business issues and opportunities related to climate change.
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SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC CHANGE
Recent events related to energy and climate have catalyzed both concern and enthusiasm within existing organizations and centers at CU Boulder. The purpose and recent activities for some of these groups are presented on these pages. The Energy Initiative is committed to promoting their activities and finding
resources to support them, as well as to co-sponsoring events.
THE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM
T oday we confront critical environmental decisions. Although these issues are complex, individuals and policy makers
must still make choices, and how those choices are understood will have a major impact on politics and public policy. The news media are vital to this process. The way they analyze and translate complicated environmental issues can contribute to more informed decision making. But this will happen only if journalists themselves are well-informed about a wide range of economic, scientific, social and political subjects. Such knowledge is not easy to acquire.
The Center for Environmental Journalism was established in 1992 by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Colorado at Boulder to help bridge this gap. The Center for Environmental Journalism seeks to enrich public understanding of environmental issues by elevating the quality of media coverage. It offers a variety of programs that will help both journalists and future journalists enhance their knowledge and expertise. The programs focus on professional development, student education and communication with scientists and the public.
THE NATURAL RESOURCES LAW CENTER
The Natural Resources Law Center at the CU School of Law, under the direction of Prof. Mark Squillace, supports a comprehensive program of research,
education, and outreach activities designed to promote sustainable resource use and inform and influence legal and policy decisions on western natural resources. Through a network of leading legal and policy-makers, academics, stakeholders, and concerned citizens, and in conjunction with the School of Law and the broader academic community, the Center focuses substantial intellectual and practical expertise on natural resources issues of importance in the American West. The NRLC’s 2006 Annual Summer Conference focused on climate change and the future of the American west. For further information, visit http://www.colorado.edu/law/centers/nrlc.
THE CU ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
CU Environmental Center’s energy program educates the campus community about renewable energy options and manages the students’ renewable energy purchases for campus, including the purchase of 100% wind energy for the
3 student run buildings, the wind energy purchase for residence hall students and the installation of the first solar array on campus. The energy program also works closely with the Office of Resource Conservation on an extensive energy conservation campaign called “Generation Green”. This campaign strives to teach actions that will save dollars and the environment by saving energy. The Center is directed by Dave Newport. For further information, visit http://ecenter.colorado.edu/energy/index.html.
Transformation “systemic changes in the social, economic, legal,
and political forces and institutions that influence energy use”T
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THE ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY INITIATIVE
Established in 2003 under the direction of Prof. Lakshman Guruswamy, the Energy and Environmental Security Initiative is a law school-based interdisciplinary project whose
primary objective is to serve as an enabling environment for teaching and research into the impact of laws and policies on the scientific, engineering, sociopolitical, and commercial dimensions of sustainable energy; and conduct activities dedicated to understanding and improving the interface between laws, policies and technology solutions and progress toward a global sustainable energy future. EESI has compiled an online database that includes over 1,700 agreements representing every country in the world, covering renewable energy, energy efficiency, nuclear power, fossil energy, advanced technologies and more. For further information, visit http://www.colorado.edu/law/eesi/.
THE CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY RESEARCH
The Center for Science and Technology Policy Research was initiated within the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at CU-Boulder in the
summer of 2001. Under the direction of Prof. Roger Pielke, Jr., the Center works to improve how science and technology policies address societal needs, including research, education and service. One of the Center’s research projects, the NSF-funded Science Policy Assessment and Research on Climate
or SPARC, conducts research and assessments, outreach, and education aimed at helping climate science policies better support climate-related decision making in the face of fundamental and often irreducible uncertainties. SPARC has focused on whether US climate research efforts are resulting in the production of useful, and thus policy-relevant, scientific information for decision makers. In other words, are we making the right decisions about what science to conduct, and thus what scientific information to supply to decision makers? For further information, visit http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/.
THE CENTER OF THE AMERICAN WEST
The mission of the Center of the American West is to bring to bear a wide range of perspectives and insights as we explore
the West of the past, examine the present, and prepare for the future; and thus to help Westerners to become better-informed, participating citizens. Directed by Prof. Patricia Limerick, the Center brings together people from every Western cultural tradition in settings where all Westerners can contribute to the dialogue about critical matters ranging from energy to water and grazing to regional identity, from community development to public policy, and from the region’s history to the character of Western literature, music, sciences, and arts. The Center has published What Every Westerner Should Know About Energy (2003), and What Every Westerner Should Know About Energy Conservation and Efficiency
(2007). For further information, visit http://www.centerwest.org/projects/energy/index.php.
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CURRICULUM: UNDERGRADUATE & GRADUATE ENERGY EDUCATION IN THE 21ST CENTURY
T here is a growing need for highly trained experts in renewable and sustainable energy. What is needed is not just technical expertise, but rather technical competence combined with
a broader understanding of the business, policy, economics, and institutional aspects of energy. CU-Boulder is positioned well to provide this interdisciplinary expertise, and become a leader in renewable and sustainable energy education.
CURRENT OFFERINGS
The CU-Boulder campus currently offers 19 courses on renewable and sustainable energy (further information on these courses can be found at http://ei.colorado.edu/resources/courses.html). Many
of these courses focus on energy technologies; however, they cover policy, law, science, and business aspects of energy issues as well.
CU-Boulder’s Environmental Studies Graduate Program offers an Energy Focus for its MS and Ph.D. students. These students take a sequence of courses in energy and energy-related topics, with course requirements in energy science and technology, economics and finance, and policy. These students also do internships with Colorado energy organizations, and conduct research in energy. This program just awarded its first Ph.D. in energy, for research into the comparative economic impacts of wind, natural gas, and coal-based new electricity generation in Colorado.
PLANNED OFFERINGS In response to growing student interest, and in anticipation of greater need for trained experts in this field, we are also developing additional programs that will allow both undergraduate and graduate students to focus on renewable and sustainable energy. A committee of faculty, staff, and students was formed in September 2006 to recommend specific options for the University that will give our students the best possible education in renewable and sustainable energy. The Education
Committee Final Report was delivered to the University Administration in May 2007, and is available at http://ei.colorado.edu/about_us/final_report.pdf. Specific recommendations in the report include:
appoint an Energy Education Director whose responsibilities include:
- teach some of the core courses associated with undergraduate and graduate energy certificate programs
- manage the certificate program’s applications and admission processes
- arrange for faculty to teach core and elective energy courses
- coordinate energy education courses with other campuses
Create a two-semester, 2000-level Energy Basics Course for students seeking basic energy competency/knowledge
Offer an Undergraduate Energy Certificate Program for students seeking deeper knowledge to supplement their major
Provide an Energy Track or Specialization within Environmental Studies for undergraduate students wishing to major in energy
Create a Graduate Energy Certificate Program within the Graduate School for students who wish to supplement their primary area of study with additional broad energy expertise
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To encourage interdisciplinary and collaborative research, CU and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden co-sponsored a research symposium on Oct. 3, 2006 on the
Boulder Campus. More than 400 CU and NREL researchers displayed their ongoing and proposed research. A summary for each of the 170 presentations is on the EI website.
To stimulate new research CU-Boulder, the CU System and NREL committed $726,000 to fund seed grant proposals. 58 proposal were received and reviewed according to the following criteria:
Intellectual merit of the proposal
Potential for additional/continued activity beyond the seed grant phase
Potential for developing new and productive collaborations
The following proposals were selected for funding:
Frank Barnes - Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering“Technology, Policy and Regulation Best Practices to Implement Utility Scale Energy Storage”
Barbara Demmig-Adams - Professor, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology“Identification of Novel Biomolecules for Improved Biological Production of Alternative Fuels from Solar Energy”
Daniel Dessau - Professor, Dept. of Physics“Electronic Origins of Electrochromism and Superconductivity in Tungsten Oxides”
Rodney Frehlich - Sr. Research Associate, Coop. Inst. for Research in Environmental Sciences“Design of Lidar, Data Processing, and Control Algorithms for Optimal Wind Farm Performance”
Albin Gasiewski - Professor, Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, CIRES“High Resolution Numerical Wind Forecasting for Optimal Control of Wind Energy Conversion System”
Steven George - Professor, Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering“Solar Cell Based on Interpenetrating Network of II-VI Semiconductor Nanowires in Oriented TiO2 Nanotube Array”
Ryan Gill - Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering“Applying SCALEs to Improve Lignocellulosic Fermentation Strains”
James Hynes - Professor, Dept. of Chemistry and Bichemistry“Theoretical Design of Water Oxidation Catalysts for Solar Energy Conversion”
David Jonas - Professor, Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry“Interactions Between Organic Films and Nanostructured Metal Structures in Photovoltaics”
Patrick Long - Professor, Leeds School of Business“Motivation and Adoption Strategies for Renewable Energy Techniques in the Travel and Tourism Industries”
Jana Milford - Associate Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering“Air Quality Impacts of Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Use”
Kamran Mohseni - Assistant Professor, Dept. of Aerospace Engineering Sciences“Digitized Heat Transfer for Thermal Management of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Power Electronics”
Rishi Raj - Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering“Carbon and Boron Polymer Derived Ceramics for Hydrogen Storage”
Charles Rogers - Professor, Dept. of Physics“Material Science and Physics of In-Zn-O based Transparent Thin Film Transistors”
Kathleen Tierney - Professor, Dept. of Sociology“Social, Economic and Policy Factors Aff ecting the Siting of a 100 MW Concentrating Solar Facility in Colorado’s San Luis Valley”
James White - Professor, Depts. of Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies“Interaction Between Carbon Markets and Renewable Energy Markets”
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CU
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CU/NREL Research Symposium and Seed Grant Competition
15
Appendix
Current Research Projects in Renewable and Sustainable Energy C
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PROJECT NAME FACULTY PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Biofuels and Biorefining Research
Biorefining
http://www.colorado.edu/che/research/faculty/gill/
index.html
Ryan Gill, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Cost Reduction through Improving the Heat
Transfer Efficiency in the Batch Production of
Lignocelluloses Based Ethanol
http://me-www.colorado.edu/MEDept/Faculty/
faculty/peterson/main.html
Chen Li, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Emulsion flows in confined geometries
http://www.colorado.edu/che/research/faculty/
davis/index.html
Robert Davis, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Enabling-processes for biomass to fuels and
chemicals and the water-energy nexus
http://ei.colorado.edu/themes/innovation/biofuels_
and_biorefining_projects.html?showOrg=56
John Pellegrino, Department of Civil Engineering
Photoprotection of Photosynthesis and Plant
Stress Tolerance
http://www.colorado.edu/eeb/EEBprojects/Adams_
Demmig/
Barbara Demmig-Adams and William W. Adams III, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Solar Thermal Conversion of Biomass for Syngas
or Hydrogen Production
http://www.colorado.edu/che/research/faculty/
weimer/
Alan W. Weimer, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Energy Efficient Buildings
Renewable energy applications for buildings
http://civil.colorado.edu/new/faculty/people/
people.cgi?brandemuehl
Michael J. Brandemuehl, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
Sustainable Building, Energy and Environment
http://spot.colorado.edu/~zhiqiang/
Dr. Z. John Zhai, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering
16
Cu
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Energy Storage Research
Computation Tools for the Design of Energy
Harvesting and Storage Materials and Devices
http://ei.colorado.edu/themes/innovation/energy_
storage_projects.html?showOrg=82
Martin Dunn, and Ronggui Yang, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Kurt Maute, Department of Aerospace Engineering
Double-diffusive solar energy storage tank
technology as an alternative to thermocline
storage tanks
http://ei.colorado.edu/themes/innovation/energy_
storage_projects.html?showOrg=92
Jean N. Koster, Department of Aerospace Engineering
Utility Scale Energy Storage for Colorado
Integrating Wind & Pumped Hydro Electricity
http://engineering.colorado.edu/overview/Profiles/
faculty_barnes.htm
Dr. Frank Barnes, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hydrogen Production and Utilization
Coordination Chemistry of the Oxyl Radical.
A View Toward O-O Bond Formation in Water
Oxidation Catalysis
http://ei.colorado.edu/events/fall_2006_
symposium/pierpont_poster.pdf
Cortlandt Pierpont, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Low energy decomposition of compound gases
split into its constituent components
http://ece-www.colorado.edu/contact/faculty/
moddel.html
Garret Moddel, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Membranes for Gas Separations and Fuel Cells
http://me-www.colorado.edu/MEDept/Faculty/
faculty/greenberg/Webpage/Alan.htm
Alan Greenberg, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Sunlight, Water and III-V Nitrides for Fueling the
Future
http://ei.colorado.edu/events/fall_2006_
symposium/deutsch_poster.pdf
Carl Koval, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Nanoscience and Materials Research
3D photonic crystal structures for novel
photovoltaic devices
http://ece-www.colorado.edu/research/
groupsareas/Optics_Lasers.html
W. Park, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and S. M. George, Department of Chemistry
17
Appendix
Current Research Projects in Renewable and Sustainable EnergyC
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PROJECT NAME FACULTY PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Nanoscience and Materials Research
Atomic Layer Deposition; Nanostructure
Properties
http://www.colorado.edu/chemistry/people/
georges.html
Steven George, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Electronic structure characterization of materials
for advanced energy needs
http://spot.colorado.edu/~dessau/index.html
Dan Dessau, Department of Physics
Fabrication and Characterization of Germanium
Nanocrystals for Emerging Energy Applications
http://scales.colorado.edu/classes/MCEN5208_
F2006/projects.html#p21
Conrad R. Stoldt, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Nanostructured Advanced Materials for
Thermoelectric Energy Conversion (Nano-AMTEC)
http://spot.colorado.edu/~yangr/NUTS.html
Ronggui Yang, Martin L. Dunn, Rishi Raj, Weixue Tian, and Jen-Hau Cheng, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Kurt Maute, Department of Aerospace Science and Engineering
RNA in vitro selection for producing catalytic
nanoparticles
http://www.colorado.edu/chemistry/people/
eatonb.html
Bruce Eaton, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Soft Active Materials for Energy Applications
http://ei.colorado.edu/themes/innovation/
nanoscience_and_materials_projects.
html?showOrg=85
H. Jerry Qi and Martin Dunn, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Solar Utilization
Mechanistic aspects of water oxidation:
towards improved solar energy conversion in
photoelectrochemical cells
http://www.colorado.edu/chemistry/people/hynesj.
html
James T. Hynes, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Multidimensional spectroscopies and novel routes
to solar electricity
http://www.colorado.edu/chemistry/people/jonasd.
html
David Jonas, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
18
Cu
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tsPROJECT NAME FACULTY PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Solar Utilization
Parabolic Trough Testing and Development
http://ceae.colorado.edu/~brandem/research/
renewable.html#Contracts
Michael Brandemuehl, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
Photochemical Control Multielectron Chemistry
http://www.colorado.edu/chemistry/people/michlj.
html
Niels Damrauer, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Solar Generation of High Energy Fuels Through
Vibrational Overtone Induced Chemistry
http://ei.colorado.edu/themes/innovation/solar_
utilization_projects.html?showOrg=91
Rex T. Skodje, and Veronica Vaida, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
Wind Energy
Control of Wind Turbines
http://ece.colorado.edu/~pao/
Lucy Pao, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Properties and Dynamics of the Atmosphere in
Height Ranges Important to Wind Turbines
http://cires.colorado.edu/science/groups/balsley/
research/
Ben Balsley and Yannick Meillier, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
Other Renewable Technologies Research
Digitized Heat Transfer for Thermal Management
of Compact Micro Systems
http://enstrophy.colorado.edu/~mohseni/
MicroNanoFluidics1.html#ICs1
K. Mohseni and E. Baird, Department of Aerospace Engineering
Energy efficient membrane separations
http://www.colorado.edu/che/research/faculty/
noble/index.html
Richard Noble, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Femtosecond lasers and microfluidics devices for
biomolecular spectroscopy
http://www.colorado.edu/chem/NEW/faculty/
rjimenez.html
Ralph Jimenez, JILA and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
19
Appendix
Current Research Projects in Renewable and Sustainable EnergyC
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PROJECT NAME FACULTY PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
Other Renewable Technologies Research
Model Studies of Complex Catalytic Interfaces for
Energy Applications
http://www.colorado.edu/che/research/faculty/
medlin/research.html
Will Medlin, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Quantitative and Qualitative Flow Visualization
Capabilities at CU Boulder
http://www.colorado.edu/MCEN/flowvis/
Jean Hertzberg, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Entrepreneurship Research Projects
Economic Institutions and Incentives
http://leeds.colorado.edu/entrep/interior4.aspx?id
=295,411,2221,2227
Tom Dean, Leeds School of Business
Transformation Research Projects
Decision Processes and Demographics of Solar
Photovoltaic System Purchasers in Colorado
http://ei.colorado.edu/themes/transformation/
projects.html?showOrg=52
Roger Pielke, Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences and Environmental Studies
French nuclear program
http://spot.colorado.edu/~ackland/
Len Ackland, School of Journalism and Mass Communication
Renewable Energy Policy Research
http://spot.colorado.edu/~komor/
Paul Komor, Departments of Environmental Studies and Civil Engineering
Sustainable Practices Interdisciplinary Education
and Outreach Project
http://www.colorado.edu/ContinuingEducation/
sustainable/
Bernard Amadei, Department of Civil Engineering; Geoffrey Rubinstein, Continuing Education and Professional Studies
20
Cu
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Climate Change Research Projects
Air pollution impacts of fossil and biomass fuels
http://sciencepolicy.colorado.edu/about_us/meet_
us/jana_milford/
Jana Milford, Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Center for Combustion and Environmental Research
An ultra-precise atmospheric 14CO2 measurement
capability for quantification of fossil fuel CO2
emissions and the biological and ocean exchange
fluxes
http://www.colorado.edu/INSTAAR/
RadiocarbonDatingLab/
Scott Lehman, John Miller, Jocelyn Turnbull, Pieter Tans, Wouter Peters, and Colm Sweeney, Inst. of Arctic and Alpine Research, Department of Geological Sciences, and Cooperative Institute for Research in Env. Sciences
High Resolution Measurements of Aerosol Size
Distributions
http://atoc.colorado.edu/~toohey/
Darin Toohey and Marsha Fisher, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
The State of the Carbon Cycle Over the Last
Decade: Are Natural Sinks Waning?
http://instaar.colorado.edu/sil/research/index.php
Jim White and Bruce Vaughn, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research; Pieter Tans, Tom Conway, and John Miller, NOAA
