| Feb 16, 2009 | Vol. 3. No.3 |
IN THIS ISSUE: MMPEI IN THE NEWS, ENERGY NEWS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, UPCOMING EVENTS and RESEARCH POSITIONS
MMPEI IN THE NEWS
New paradigms in energy research
On February 9, the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings hosted an event to present the new report, “Energy Discovery-Innovation Institutes: A Step toward America's Energy Sustainability,” The report’s lead author James Duderstadt, president emeritus of the University of Michigan, presented the e-DII concept. Michael M. Crow, president of Arizona State University, and E. Gordon Gee, president of The Ohio State University, provided additional comments. Prominent voices in industry, education, the environmental community and government commented on the role the institutes can play in reinvigorating America’s economy, tackling security challenges and responding to global climate change.
- For additional information on the report visit: http://www.energy.umich.edu/res/publications.html.
- U-M news release
- The Environment Report's interview on energy discovery innovation institutes with MMPEI director Gary Was
Scientist models the mysterious travels of greenhouse gas
The global travel logs of greenhouse gases are based on atmospheric sampling locations sprinkled over the Earth and short towers that measure the uptake or release of carbon from a small patch of forest. But those measurements don't agree with current computer models of how plants and soils behave. A University of Michigan researcher is developing a unique way to reconcile these crucial data. "If we're going to adapt to climate change, we need to be able to predict what the climate will be," said Anna Michalak, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences. MMPEI's Anna Michalak's podcast...
U-M researchers define challenging carbon-emissions targets for U.S. auto industry
U.S. automakers must achieve an eightfold reduction in automobile-related carbon emissions to help stabilize the amount of heat-trapping carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere by 2050, according to University of Michigan researchers. A research team from the U-M Center for Sustainable Systems looked at what it would take for U.S. automakers to reduce passenger car-related carbon emissions to help stabilize carbon dioxide levels at a concentration of 450 parts per million by 2050, thereby averting many of the most serious consequences of human-caused climate change. MMPEI's Greg Keoleian NPR's podcast...
Energy institute accepting presentations and grant proposals for workshop
On March 12, MMPEI will host an energy workshop. All faculty active in energy research are encouraged to give a short talk at the workshop. There will also be a proposal competition open to all faculty for creating alliances and partnerships to prepare for research opportunities. Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/news/workshop09.html or contact Greg Sadler (jgsadler@umich.edu) for presentation and proposal details.
MMPEI welcomes a new faculty fellow
MMPEI welcomes new faculty fellow, Stephen Salant. Professor Salant’s research touches on many areas of applied microeconomic theory, including dynamic models of resource extraction and stockpiling under different property rights regimes and industrial structures. MMPEI Faculty Fellows program represents the most active faculty in energy research and education at the University of Michigan.
ENERGY NEWS
Google crashes the smart-grid party
Google now wants to organize your home's energy information. The search giant muscled into the burgeoning smart-grid software business, showing off a prototype Web application that displays home energy consumption broken down by appliance. The software uses so-called smart meters, which can communicate home energy consumption back to utilities every few minutes.
Up to $80 billion to transmit wind power from midwest to northeast
A document released by operators of the electricity grid in the Midwest estimated that building transmission lines to take wind power from the middle of the country to the Northeast and other population centers would cost between $50 billion and $80 billion.
Department of Energy invites nominations for the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Awards
The Lawrence Awards honor U.S. scientists and engineers at mid-career for exceptional contributions in research and development supporting the Department of Energy and its mission to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States. Nominees must be U.S. citizens in mid-career and show promise for continued exceptional achievements. Nominations for the 2009 Lawrence Awards must be submitted by April 1, 2009. The Lawrence Award’s webpage: http://www.sc.doe.gov/lawrence delineates the nomination guidelines and process.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Energy Efficiency Grants - Energy Upgrades for Michigan Schools - Due 03/13/09
The Michigan Public Service Commission invites proposals from non-profit and public organizations that will design and coordinate a means to facilitate the successful installation and operation of small scale, on-site energy systems using renewable energy sources and energy efficiency upgrades at Michigan public and private K-12 schools, community colleges, junior colleges and universities. Up to 5.5 million will be allocated for the grants. The RFP is located on the MPSC's web site: http://www.michigan.gov/mpsc. The grants are funded by the Low-Income and Energy Efficiency Fund. Case No. U-13129 Contact: Judy Palnau (517) 241-3323
MPSC Energy Efficiency Grants - Development of Michigan Saves Program - Due 03/13/09
The Michigan Public Service Commission released a RFP for a Michigan energy efficiency grant for all customer classes. The grant makes available up to $8.1 million for the creation of a statewide, innovative energy efficiency and distributed renewable energy financing system called Michigan Saves. The grant will be used to develop the administrative structure for the Michigan Saves system, and to create a trust fund that will serve as an initial capital pool to finance the installation of energy efficiency measures with no up-front cost to utility customers. The RFP is located on the MPSC's Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/mpsc Contact: Judy Palnau (517) 241-3323
Biomass Research and Development Initiative - Due 03/06/09
The purpose of the initiative is to competitively award grants to eligible entities to carry out research on and development and demonstration of (A): biofuels and biobased products; and (B) the methods, practices and technologies, for the production of biofuels and biobased products. The U.S. Department of Energy - Golden Field Office funding opportunity is number DE-PS36-09GO99016.
Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/info/funding.html for additional funding opportunities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
U-M Energy Workshop: Forging Alliances, Positioning for Opportunity
Thursday, March 12
8:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Campus Inn
East Huron at State Street, Ann Arbor
Advanced Battery Manufacturing Conference
April 15 - 17
Washington D.C.
Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute is pleased to announce that it is a Supporter of the Advanced Battery Manufacturing conference.
Join the key stakeholders in the advanced battery value chain at the Advanced Battery Manufacturing conference, April 15-17, 2009 in Washington, DC, as they layout the path for building a successful advanced mobile energy storage industry and Smart Grid infrastructure for the new North American clean energy economy.
On top of the $25 Billion DOE re-tooling loan for auto makers and supply chain vendors, the latest U.S. Congressional stimulus bill adds $2 Billion in loan guarantees for advanced battery manufacturing, and $200 Million to encourage electric vehicle technologies. Key players of the value chain will discuss the opportunities and challenges in developing the North American manufacturing capacity, and they type of partnerships they are looking for.
To REGISTER and receive the MMPEI 20% member discount or obtain more information about this outstanding event, please visit www.infocastinc.com/battery09 or call (818) 888-4444 and mention discount code “092546” when registering.
RESEARCH AND FACULTY POSITIONS
Dow Chemical Hong Kong-Michigan Scholarship Program
The Dow Chemical Company, with headquarters in Midland, Michigan, has created a new scholarship for advanced graduate students and recent PhDs of universities in the state of Michigan to spend up to ten months doing research while affiliated with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (www.ust.hk). The award starts in the 2009-2010 academic year. The Hong Kong America Center (www.cuhk.edu.hk/hkac) and the HKUST will administer the program on behalf of Dow.
Update - this postion has been filled Postdoc Position: System-Level Impact of PHEVs
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.
Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/careers/facultypositions.html for information on University of Michigan open faculty positions exploring energy storage and social science and energy.
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