| September 4 , 2008 | Vol. 2. No. 14 |
IN THIS ISSUE: U-M IN THE NEWS, ENERGY NEWS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, UPCOMING EVENTS and RESEARCH POSITIONS
U-M NEWS
Phoenix Energy Institute Picks Up Research Baton
Energy - how to get it, store it and use it - is one of the most important questions facing science and society today. At the University of Michigan, a new institute, MMPEI, concerned with all those questions is following the footsteps of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Project, which was established in 1948 to explore the peaceful uses of nuclear energy..
ENERGY NEWS
Drilling for Hot Rocks: Google Sinks Cash into Advanced Geothermal Technology
Google.org hopes that Sausalito, Calif.–based AltaRock Energy can begin to develop geothermal technology with the $6.25 million it is investing in the company. The challenge is steep for such power-producing technology. That is because rather than relying on areas where Earth's heat comes close to the surface—such as The Geysers geothermal formation in California and similar resources that provide nearly 3,000 megawatts of power at present in the U.S.—AltaRock and companies like it would actually drill deep into the Earth, fracture the subterranean rock to create a reservoir, and then pump fluid through the repository to capture the surrounding geothermal heat. For a YouTube video on Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) ....
Wind Energy Bumps Into Power Grid’s Limits
The dirty secret of clean energy is that while generating it is getting easier, moving it to market is not. “We need an interstate transmission superhighway system,” said Suedeen G. Kelly, a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
California Ballot Initiatives: Good or Bad for Clean Energy?
Californians have a lot of homework to do this fall. With two controversial initiatives addressing renewable electricity and fuels on the upcoming November ballot, voters will have to parse through conflicting arguments about what exactly each would do for the state's clean energy market.
The 2003 Northeast Blackout--Five Years Later
All told, 50 million people lost power for up to two days in the biggest blackout in North American history. The event contributed to at least 11 deaths and cost an estimated $6 billion. So, five years later, are we still at risk for a massive blackout?
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Launches Centers of Energy Excellence Program
Michigan Economic Development Corporation President and CEO James C. Epolito announced that the state is now accepting applications for the Centers of Energy Excellence (COEE) program, part of Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s overall job creation and economic stimulus package she proposed in her State of the State address. The newly created grant program brings businesses, universities and the state together to create jobs in the alternative and advanced energy industry. The purpose of the $45 million program is to create jobs in alternative energy.
New Dow Corning Technology Cuts Cost of Solar Power
Midland-based Dow Corning Corp. has demonstrated a manufacturing process featuring new developmental silicone materials that significantly increases the production rate of solar panels, effectively lowering the cost per watt of solar power. Midland-based Dow Corning Corp. has demonstrated a manufacturing process featuring new developmental silicone materials that significantly increases the production rate of solar panels, effectively lowering the cost per watt of solar power.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
CHE-DMR-DMS Solar Energy Initiative - Due 12/16/08
NSF (program solicitation 08-598) is requesting proposals to support interdisciplinary efforts by groups of researchers to address the scientific challenges of highly efficient harvesting, conversion, and storage of solar energy. Groups must include three or more co-Principal Investigators; one must have demonstrated high expertise in chemistry, a second in materials research, and a third in mathematical sciences. Three to ten $500,000/year proposals will be awarded with funding durations up to three years.
Centers of Energy Excellence Program
Centers of Energy Excellence (COEE) Program to promote the development, acceleration, and sustainability of energy excellence sectors in this State (Michigan).
- Grants provided through the COEE Program shall only be awarded to for-profit companies. Participation of at least one qualified business and at least one institution of higher education is required to operate a Center of Energy Excellence.
- The funds can be used for one of the following purposes: match for foundation funding, federal funding, or international investments up to 50% of the total project cost; accelerating the commercialization of an innovative energy technology or process that will be ready to market within 3 years of the agreement date; activities of the Center, including, but not limited to, workforce development and technology demonstration.
- To download information regarding standard process for evaluating COEE candidate applications and necessary and appropriate information to be included in the form of COEE candidate applications: http://ref.michiganadvantage.org/cm/attach/a94b0699-c232-4b08-a477-d1c013d68d09/COEE_Application_Process.pdf and http://ref.michiganadvantage.org/cm/attach/a94b0699-c232-4b08-a477-d1c013d68d09/COEE_Documentation_and_Confidentiality_Requirements.pdf
- To request further information or to submit application materials, email coee@michigan.org.
Energy Storage Demonstration for Rail Transit Vehicle Operation - Due 10/03/08
The DOT/Federal Transit Administration requests proposals (D2008-ENR-TRV-TRI) that may result in the award of one cooperative agreement to demonstrate regenerative braking and energy storage technologies (on-board or/and wayside) for rail transit propulsion systems. All proposals must include a transit agency partner operating an existing rail transit system (an existing rail system is one carrying passengers in revenue service). Estimated total program funding: $300,0000.
Pre-combustion Carbon Capture Technologies for Coal-Based Gasification Plants - Due 10/14/08
The Department of Energy (DOE) National Energy Technology Lab( DE-PS26-08NT00699-00) is seeking applications to develop science and technologies that address specific technical challenges and barriers for de-carbonizing turbine fuel feeds. Applications are sought in four topic areas: Topic Area 1: High-Temperature, High-Pressure Membranes. (DE-PS26-08NT00699-01), Topic Area 2: High-Efficiency Solvents. (DE-PS26-08NT00699-02), Topic Area 3: Solid Sorbents with commercially relevant separation capacity and regenerable. (DE-PS26-08NT00699-03) and Topic Area 4: Advanced separation devices for separating CO2 or H2 from shifted syngas and novel approaches for pre-combustion removal and capture of the carbon content of fuels for storage, other than topic areas 1, 2, and 3. (DE-PS26-08NT00699-04).
FY 2008 Environmental Studies Program - Due 09/15/08
This announcement from the Minerals Management Service, is specifically to announce intent to undertake the following project: •Workshop on environmental research needs in support of potential Virginia offshore oil and gas activities (College of William & Mary) No other proposals are requested at this time, although additional opportunities may be announced in the future. Additional information describing the ESP focus can be found in the Annual Study Plans available on the world wide web at: http://www.mms.gov/eppd/sciences/esp/index.htm
Visit http://www.mmpei.umich.edu/info/funding.html for additional funding opportunities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Call for Presenters: NextEnergy AET Connect & Collaborate 2008
When: Friday, October 10
Where: Detroit, MI
What: Forum for alternative energy researchers to present a brief snapshot of their work to industry representatives who are looking for opportunities to collaborate with university researchers.
Deadline for presenter submission: Friday, September 5, 2008
13th Annual University of Michigan Energy Fest 2008
When: Tuesday, September 9, 2008, and September 11, 11:00 - 2:00
Where: University of Michigan Central Diag (Tuesday) and North Campus Portico Plaza (Thursday)
What: University and other affiliated organizations will be available with information and displays that identify opportunities to conserve energy and contribute to a sustainable society. The event is free and open to the public.
Carbon Symposium
When: Friday, September 12
Where: Rackham Graduate School Amphitheatre, 4th Floor, 915 E. Washington Street , Ann Arbor, MI 48109 - Phone: (734) 763-0171
What: The Ross Energy Club’s 1st Annual Carbon Symposium will provide educational and professional insights into the emerging importance of carbon in our economy. Registration Required
Sponsors: Michigan Ross School of Business
The Business of Green/Annual Innovation Awards Featuring Thomas Friedman
When: Wednesday, September 17, 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Where: Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center, 799 N. Hewitt Rd., Ypsilanti MI
What: In conjunction with the Washtenaw Economic Club's luncheon, featuring Thomas Friedman, author of "Hot, Flat and Crowded," Innovation will highlight Michigan's alternative energy development.
Sponsors: Michigan Business Review and Washtenaw Economic Club
Michigan Clean Transportation Expo & Awards Gala
When: Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Where: Rock Financial Showplace, Novi, Michigan
What: A Public Expo from 4:00 until 6:00pm featuring presentations from technology innovators, vehicle displays, and other clean transportation exhibitors and Awards Gala, with dinner, from 7 to 9:00pm featuring two keynote speakers: John Hieftje, Mayor of Ann Arbor, who will describe Ann Arbor's efforts to become America's Greenest City. And John Hertel, who will outline in detail Detroit's forthcoming Woodward Light Rail transit system.
Organized By: Clean Energy Coalition, NextEnergy and Greater Lansing Area Clean Cities
RESEARCH POSITIONS
Postdoc Position Studying Impact of PHEV's
A postdoctoral research fellow position at the University of Michigan’s Center for Sustainable Systems is available immediately to study system-level impacts of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Applicants should possess a Ph.D. in engineering, physics or a related discipline and should have a strong background in stochastic modeling, optimization and controls. Above all else, we seek an individual with a demonstrated ability to think creatively to model physical systems with a combination of analytical and computational tools. The postdoctoral research fellow will be encouraged to interact and collaborate with students and faculty in the School of Natural Resources and Environment and the Departments of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. For more information, visit http://css.snre.umich.edu/css_doc/PHEV_postdoc.pdf
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