| June 16 , 2009 | Vol. 3. No. 11 |
IN THIS ISSUE: MMPEI AND U-M NEWS, ENERGY NEWS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES and EVENTS
MMPEI NEWS AND U-M NEWS
Assanis is new director of energy institute
A researcher known internationally for his vision of cleaner, more efficient generation of transportation energy has been named director of U-M’s energy institute. Dennis Assanis, the Jon R. and Beverly S. Holt professor of engineering and an Arthur F. Thurnau professor, will direct the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute, announced Stephen Forrest, vice president for research... Assanis will take the position July 1, replacing Gary Was, the nuclear engineering professor who has led the institute since it began in September 2006, charged with developing, coordinating and promoting the vast array of multidisciplinary energy research, policy and education at U-M.
Zero to 60 in full sunlight: revving up a solar racer
It may not look like something you'd take onto the local freeway, but it can easily hit highway speeds, running on nothing but solar power. It's the newest vehicle, called Infinium, to be produced by the University of Michigan's solar car team. That team drove Infinium's predecessor, Continuum, to a ten-hour margin of victory in the 2,400-mile North American Challenge last year, and is planning on racing its newest vehicle in the World Challenge in Australia later this year.
U-M's solar house finds new home at botanical gardens
The University of Michigan's solar house might look like it's made to travel but the sustainable solar decathlete has found a new home at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. The Michigan Solar House (commonly known as MiSo) competed in the 2005 Solar Decathlon in Washington, D.C and is now open for tours. .. "We're also going to be looking at various improvements to the envelope," says Harry Giles Phoenix energy fellow and professor of practice at the U-M College of Architecture. Also visit Miso House.
ENERGY NEWS
DOE revives FutureGen, reversing Bush-era decision
The Obama administration gave conditional support for a federal-industry partnership that would build an advanced coal-burning power plant in Illinois to trap and store carbon dioxide emissions, reversing a Bush-era decision to abandon the FutureGen project. For DOE's press release....
The MPG Illusion
MPG can be confusing when thinking about the benefits of improving MPG. The bottom line is that equal increases in MPG are not equal in gas savings. Original article published in Science. New York Times article article. Researchers' website.
Dow captures solar power with fluid technology
Midland-based Dow Chemical Co. is shedding light on Concentrating Solar Power systems (CSP) with Dowtherm, a heat transfer fluids which collect, transports and stores solar generated heat. CSP technology uses mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect solar energy and convert it to heat. Dowtherm A heat transfer fluids collect the heat energy and transport it to a power generating station. The transported heat converts water to steam, which in turn drives turbines to make electricity.
Building an interstate highway system for energy
Tomorrow’s smart grid will keep the lights on and factories humming with clean (but fickle) renewable energy.
New tech could make nuclear the best weapon against climate change
Two new designs aim to make nuclear reactors safer and vastly more efficient.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Novel Non-Precious Metal Hydrogen Separation and Production R&D - Due 07/01/09
The DOE - National Energy Technology Lab is seeking proposals designed to support the core competencies related to Hydrogen Separations Technologies. The specific objective of this activity is to competitively solicit projects under the the Hydrogen and Clean Fuels program area to develop novel Hydrogen Production technologies. Applications are sought in the following areas: Topic 1: Novel, Non-precious Metal Hydrogen Separation and Topic 2: Hydrogen Production R&D. It is anticpated that there will be 5 awards totalling $5M. Funding opportunity number: DE-FOA-0000103.
Wind Energy Consortia - Due 7/30/09
DOE's Golden Field Office is seeking proposals in the wind manufacturing and construction sectors which further advance R&D, eliminate barriers to the deployment of wind energy, reduce the cost and risk of wind energy installations, and stimulate partnerships between institutions of higher learning and the wind industry. Eligibility is restricted to consortia led by an institution of higher learning. Estimated total funding of $24 million with an award ceiling of $12 million. Funding opportunity number: DE-FOA-0000090. This is Recovery Act funding.
Efficient Class 8 Trucks and Advanced Technology Powertrains - Due 9/09/09
DOE's - National Energy Technology Laboratory is requesting proposals for the following two areas of interest: Area 1 - Systems Level Technology Development, Integration and Demonstration for Efficient Class 8 Trucks and Area 2 - Advanced Technology Powertrains for Light-duy Vehicle. Anticipated funding for Area 1 is $90 million to $160 million of DOE funding with 3 -5 awards. Anticipated funding for Area 2 is $25 million to $80 million with 3-6 awards. Applications must identify jobs directly created or retained as a result of this project as well as the long-term jobs created as a result of the project. Cost Share: 50% or higher. Funding opportunity number: DE-FOA-0000079. This is Recovey Act funding.
Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/info/index.html for additional funding opportunities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Upside of the Economic Downturn
Fri, June 19
Noon to 1 p.m.
University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute
McCormick Conference Room
2901 Baxter Road
Micahel Sivak, head of UMTRI's Human Factors Division, will present "Upsides of the Current Economic Downturn: Changes in the Fuel Economy of Purchased New Vehicles, Amount of Driving, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Road Fatalities."
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.
The Business of Plugging-in: A Plug-in Electric Vehicle Conference
Oct 19 - 21
Detroit, MI
The Business of Plugging In will bring together vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, energy companies, government agencies, financiers and researchers. Vist http://www.pev2009.com/
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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