| June 2 , 2009 | Vol. 3. No. 10 |
IN THIS ISSUE: MMPEI AND U-M NEWS, ENERGY NEWS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES and EVENTS
MMPEI NEWS AND U-M NEWS
Connected Vehicle Proving Center moves to UM-Dearborn
The Connected Vehicle Proving Center, a state-launched, independent initiative to advance and attract to the state industries engaged with development of safer, more efficient vehicles and roads, is moving to the University of Michigan-Dearborn College of Engineering and Computer Science from its original home at Ann Arbor’s Center for Automotive Research, an independent, non-profit research organization. “Vehicle connectivity and the electrification of vehicles are two areas critical to the future of the automotive industry, each representing a paradigm shift for the car of the future and the industry as a whole,” according to Udi Naamani, director and general manager.
U-M solar car team to unveil "Infinium"
On June 5th at 3 p.m. at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, the Solar Car Team will reveal "Infinium." This 10th-generation U-M solar vehicle will race against more than 50 other teams in the Global Green Challenge, formerly the World Solar Challenge..
ENERGY NEWS
U.S. Orders stricter fuel goals for autos
The Obama administration plans to order auto makers to increase the fuel economy of automobiles sold in the U.S. to 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016, four years faster than current federal law requires, people familiar with the matter said.
Obama announces over $467 million in Recovery Act funding for geothermal and solar energy projects
President Obama announced over $467 million from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to expand and accelerate the development, deployment, and use of geothermal and solar energy throughout the United States. The funding represents a substantial down payment that will help the solar and geothermal industries overcome technical barriers, demonstrate new technologies, and provide support for clean energy jobs for years to come.
Electric vehicles now
A panel of experts advocated the electrification of the American vehicle fleet at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference. Hybrid-electric and all-electric vehicles offer superior range and a more developed recharging/"refueling" infrastructure than compressed national gas vehicles advocated by Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens, according to David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. Ford Motor Co. executive chairman William Clay Ford Jr. said the Dearborn automaker is committed to "bringing pure battery electric vehicles and next generation hybrid electric vehicles to market quickly and affordably." He also praised the Obama administration for "taking decisive action to establish one national standard for fuel economy and emissions. We could not have survived a (state-by-state) patchwork."
Granholm: With renewables, Michigan will be 'magnificent
Gov. Jennifer Granholm outlined her renewable energy plan on May 28 duringt he opening session of the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference at Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel. A video outlined the state's efforts to boost wind and solar power and battery technlogy. Then Granholm noted that there is virtually no production of advanced batteries in the United States. She said Michigan has bet big on battery technlogy, particularly in the electric and hybrid car industry, because "we have 330 research and development centers devoted to next generation vehicles, we have more engineers and talent related to the vehicle than all the other states and Canada and Mexico combined." As for wind, she said manufacturers in Michigan are "hungry," and have access to the big water needed to transport big wind turbines easily.
Ann Arbor and Warren: A tale of two economies
Michigan's economy is the worst in the country, dragged down by its dependency on an ailing auto industry. But in a lab at Accio Energy in Ann Arbor, engineers Dawn White and David Carmein are driving in a different direction. They have built what they call an "aerovoltaic" device, a two-inch loop of piping that generates electricity -- without moving blades or turbines -- when air flows through it. The engineers' next step: linking a series of these loops into screens that they see eventually generating wind electricity where windmills are too big, dangerous or noisy to go. To learn more about Accio Energy Aerovoltaic energy systems visit http://www.accioenergy.com/
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Solar Deployment - Due 07/30/09
The Department of Energy - Golden Field Office is requesting proposals in four solar deployment areas: Improved Modeling Tools Development, Field Verification of High-Penetration Levels of PV into the Distribution Grid, Modular Power Architecture, and Demonstration of PV and Energy Storage for Smart Grids. Nine to 13 awards totalling $37.5M are projected to be funded. Funding opportunity number: DE-FOA-0000085. Recovery Act funding.
PV & Concentrating Solar Power R&D - Due 07/15/09
The Department of Energy - Golden Field Office is requesting proposals in five topic areas: Next Generation PV Technologies , PV Supply Chain and Crosscutting Technologies, Advanced Heat Transfer Fluids and Novel Thermal Energy Storage for Concentrating Solar Power, Testing and Evaluation, and Advanced Photovoltaics Manufacturing Capability .This opportunity is restricted to DOE National Laboratories or DOE National Laboratory-led Consortia. Cost share will be required for institutions of higher education, nonprofit or for-profit private entities, and state and local governments who team with the National Lab primary at least 20% of the total budget for research and development projects. Ten to 15 awards, totalling $17M will be funded. Funding opportunity number: DE-FOA-0000087. Recovery Act funding.
RFI: Fuel Cells Designed for CHP and APU Applications - Due 06/30/09
The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from stakeholders and the research community on proposed performance, durability and cost targets for fuel cells designed for residential combined heat and power (CHP) and auxilliary power unit (APU) applications.
Funding opportunity number: DE-FOA-0000111.
Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers Program - Due 06/26/09
The National Science Foundation's Industry/University Cooperative Research Centers (I/UCRC) program develops long-term partnerships among industry, academe, and government. The centers are catalyzed by a small investment from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and are primarily supported by industry center members, with NSF taking a supporting role in the development and evolution of the center. Two to 8 full center awards and 4-12 planning grants will be awarded annually with a total of ten million dollars of funding. Funding opportunity number: NSF 09-565.
High Efficiency Solar Cells for Space - Due 06/12/09
The U.S. Airforce is requesting proposals in three areas of solar cells for space: Advanced High Efficiency 40% photovoltaics, Anti-Reflection Coatings, and Solar Array/Blanket Integration.Two or more awards totalling $5.5M are projected to be funded over three years. Funding opportunity number: DE-FOA-0000085. Recovery Act funding.
Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/info/index.html for additional funding opportunities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Virtual Energy Forum
Wed, June 24 - June 25
- Watch energy experts live via video
- Get answers to questions on the spot
- Browse a virtual exhibit floor featuring sustainability solutions
- Speakers include Amory Lovins, Rocky Mountain Institute, Fred Krupp, Environmental Defense Fund, Mark Ginsberg, DOE and Rich Wells, Dow Chemical
Visit http://www.virtualenergyforum.com/ for details.
4th Annual Michigan Energy Fair
Fri, June 26 - June 28
Onekama, MI
To learn more, including:
- Submitting a proposal for a workshop
- Becoming an exhibitor or sponsor
visit http://www.glrea.org/events/MichiganEnergyFair2009/index.html for details.
Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/careers/opportunities for information on University of Michigan open faculty positions and opportunites in energy research.
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