Where Will the Energy for the Twenty-First Century Come From?
PARTNERSHIP WITH STATE, INDUSTRY IMPROVES ENERGY OUTLOOK
Signaling its commitment to finding solutions for the world’s energy problems, UConn is building a multidisciplinary team of scholars and scientists and providing them the resources to make breakthroughs. The Eminent Faculty Initiative in Sustainable Energy at the School of Engineering is a remarkable public/private initiative supported by an annual $2-million appropriation from the state and one-time matching gifts totaling $2 million from corporate partners FuelCell Energy, the Northeast Utilities Foundation and UTC Power.
“This level of sustained commitment from the state and industries enables UConn researchers to focus on multilayered solutions that involve the advancement of fundamental research that provides greater understanding of energy technologies while promoting translational research that may provide more immediate technological impacts,” says Dean Mun Choi (photo).
The funding will be used to recruit internationally recognized experts and enhance the education, research and development enterprises at the school, which comprises the Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center and the Biofuel Consortium. In the 2008-09 school year, the School of Engineering anticipates hiring up to a dozen new faculty members.
“We are fortunate in having diversified energy expertise in fuel cells, photovoltaics and solar cells, energy harvesting, batteries and energy storage, and alternative and renewable fuels,” says Choi. “We take a holistic approach that considers multifunctionalities as well as impacts. So, the challenge to develop and distribute clean energy must consider impacts on such elements as carbon footprint, water resources, soil erosion, pollution, energy pricing, and the availability and cost of food crops.”
The special partnership among UConn, the state and industry will support economic and workforce development and propel Connecticut onto the international stage in the development of sustainable energy.
"Connecticut has a rare opportunity to provide national leadership in the development of viable, sustainable and environmentally sound energy alternatives, including fuel cells and biofuels,” says UConn President Michael J. Hogan.
