| August 3, 2009 | Vol. 3. No. 13 |
IN THIS ISSUE: U-M ENERGY NEWS, ENERGY NEWS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES and EVENTS
U-M ENERGY NEWS
On 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing today's scientists including energy institute's Dennis Assanis, point to new frontiers
In anticipation of the anniversary of the first moon walk, The Science Coalition asked university researchers across the country to reflect on that event and share their thoughts about the next frontiers in science and what America must do to ensure that these scientific frontiers are reached. While each response is unique and reflective of the background of the respondent, together they make clear that there are many exciting new horizons in science. .... "Instead of looking for a single innovation to transform transportation, the next great challenge will be a revolutionary and holistic reinvention of vehicles. The next 'moon landing' will be a new science-driven way of approaching automobiles … that goes beyond slashing mpg or substituting gas with electricity," said Dennis Assanis, Director of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute and the W.E. Lay Automotive Laboratory at the University of Michigan.
U-M receiving funding for wind power
Michigan is getting nearly $2 million from the federal stimulus package to support wind energy projects. Three projects across the state were awarded grants from the U.S. Department of Energy. The Michigan Aerospace Corp. in Ann Arbor will receive $748,000 for a study related to wind turbine reliability and efficiency. The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor will get about $413,500 to study techniques for voltage control and stability. Dow Corning Corp. in Midland will get more than $745,000 for the development of lifetime lubricating fluid for gearboxes.
GM's rough road to the Chevrolet Volt
General Motors Corp. made it clear that there is nothing small or temporary about its ambition to dominate the emerging electric car industry when it (recently) opened its "Global Battery Systems Lab." It is the largest battery laboratory in North America, and Fritz Henderson, GM's CEO, said the Chevrolet Volt and the cars that come after it are the "lifeblood of our future." .... Ann Marie Sastry, an engineering professor at the University of Michigan explained that GM was also helping to open a companion laboratory at the University of Michigan, where 50 students are signed up to learn the mysteries of making high-technology batteries.
ENERGY NEWS
US Fuel Cell Council's Rose discusses hurdles for hydrogen technology under Obama DOE
With the House and Senate both voting to reinstate funding for hydrogen fuel cell technology R&D, the Obama Administration has come under fire for initially proposing to cut the funding. During EETV's July 22 OnPoint, Robert Rose, executive director of the US Fuel Cell Council, discusses the hurdles facing hydrogen vehicle technology as a result of the Department of Energy's lack of support. He explains how the issue has become politicized and talks about his industry's plans for working with DOE. Rose also discusses the timeline for wide scale deployment of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. (video)
PSE&G plan takes solar energy public
For millions of New Jersey residents, solar power is coming soon to their neighborhoods - even to the utility poles in their backyards. In a move both bold and expensive, state regulators approved a plan for Public Service Electric & Gas Co., the state's largest utility, to install solar panels on 200,000 utility poles in its service territory.The project will make New Jersey the nation's second-most solar-fueled state, according to the state Board of Public Utilities, trailing only California, making a historic down payment on clean energy.
Radar could save bats from wind turbines
Bats use sonar to navigate and hunt. Many have been killed by wind turbines, however, which their sonar doesn't seem to recognize as a danger. Surprisingly, radar signals could help keep bats away from wind turbines, scientists have now discovered.
The biofuel future
Many scientists have expressed concern that political support for the biofuels industry has outpaced rigorous analyses of the fuels’ potential impacts. Others see this notion as manure. Research needed to resolve that disagreement is now underway, as scientists in industry, national labs and universities across the country are assessing every aspect of these fuels, from field to tailpipe. Researchers are growing crops, evaluating yields and comparing harvesting techniques. Computer models are providing stats on each crop’s effect on environmental factors such as soil nutrients and erosion. The plant cell wall is under attack from several angles. And chemists and microbiologists are cajoling an expanding menagerie of microorganisms into producing higher fuel yields.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Algal/Advanced BiofuelsConsortia - Due 09/14/09
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the availability of up to $85 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for the development of algae-based biofuels and advanced, infrastructure-compatible biofuels. DOE is seeking to bring together leading scientists and engineers from universities, private industry, and government to develop new methods to bring new biofuels to market in an accelerated timeframe. DOE expects to select two to three partnerships and fund projects over three years. The reseach focuses are the following areas: Algal Biofuels R&D - The primary objective of this topic area is to develop cost-effective algae-based biofuels that are competitive with traditional petroleum-based fuels. Advanced, Infrastructure-Compatible Biofuels R&D is focused on enabling cost-effective conversion of biomass to advanced biofuels other than cellulosic ethanol, with particular focus on bio-based hydrocarbon fuels such as green gasoline and green diesel. Such fuels could be transported and sold using today's existing fueling infrastructure. Funding opportunity number: DE-FOA-0000123.
Concentrating Solar Power Generation - Due 10/15/09
The objective of this Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to develop and evaluate Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) components and/or systems that could lead to the development of utility-scale baseload CSP power plants with a capacity factor of 75% capable of generating electricity at costs competitive with fossil-fired generators. Topic 1 covers R&D concept and component feasibility studies and will be funded between one million and 4 million. Topic 2 covers baseload CSP system study and will be funded between 5 million and 10.8 million. Funding opportunity number: DE-FOA-0000104.
Visit http://www.energy.umich.edu/info/index.html for additional details and funding opportunities or contact Greg Sadler, jgsadler@umich.edu
UPCOMING EVENTS
IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference
This year the conference will feature the theme of sustainability: hybrid, plug-in, fuel cell and battery technology.
Sept. 7 - 11
Dearborn, MI
The National Energy Summit & International Dialogue
Sept. 23 - 24
Washington, D.C.
ACEEE's 5th National Conference on Energy Efficiency as a Resource
Sept. 27-29
The Drake Hotel, Chicago, IL
Organic Photovoltaics Summit USA
Oct. 15 - 16
Boston, MA
The Business of Plugging In
Oct. 19 - 21
Detroit, MI
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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