| October 15, 2009 | Vol. 3. No. 18 |
IN THIS ISSUE:U-M ENERGY NEWS, ENERGY NEWS, FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES and COMPETITIONS, AND EVENTS
U-M ENERGY NEWS
International partnership announces second round of transportation technology awards
An international collaboration between the University of Michigan and Fraunhofer has launched two more joint research teams addressing the increasing global demand for more efficient and sustainable technologies for transportation. Since April, the Alternative Energy Technologies for Transportation (AETT) program has awarded $2 million in seed grants for a total of five projects. All proposals were peer-reviewed and judged on originality, scientific visibility and possible economic impact by U-M’s Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute and Fraunhofer, together with U-M's Office of the Vice President for Research.
The business of plugging in
The University of Michigan is joining leaders from the automotive, utility and new technologies industries in Detroit Oct. 19-21 to examine the important role plug-in electric vehicles may play in enabling a more sustainable national environmental strategy and enhancing energy security. Four U-M faculty members will be participating.
Michigan stakes claim in clean fuel race
The race to change the way Americans fuel their vehicles is propelling Michigan to the forefront in pioneering alternatives. Some alternative fuel technologies are further along than others -- ethanol, for instance, is already available as a gasoline-blend at many pumps -- but breakthroughs are afoot in the Great Lakes State, especially with the federal government pouring billions of dollars into Michigan for advancing biofuel and electric battery technology. ....."Right now, the attempt to find the best battery pack for vehicles is the equivalent in the automotive industry of the moon shot in the '60s or '70s," said Bruce Belzowski, assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.
2009 - 2010 DTE / UM Clean Energy Prize gets underway
The $100,000 Clean Energy Prize presented by DTE Energy and the University of Michigan is an annual entrepreneurship competition that challenges teams from colleges and universities in Michigan to develop the best plan for bringing new clean-energy technologies to market. Executive summaries are due November 20, 2009. The energy institute is a partner in this competition. To read about last year's winners visit here.
New short course on design and control of hybrid vehicles
University of Michigan's Zoran Filipi and Huei Peng will offer a professional short course on the integration of the hybrid vehicle and how systems work together. It is unique because of its focus on modeling and control instead of hardware components. The design method has many other vehicle powertrain applications in addition to hybrids. This dynamic method has been used in designing six different concept vehicles over the last eight years. The course will be held December 7 - 9 in Ann Arbor. To learn more visit InterPro.engin.umich.edu
President Coleman launches multifaceted sustainability initiative
University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman announced today (Oct. 5) that she will lead a multifaceted initiative to elevate the university's commitment to sustainability in teaching, research and operations. .....Coleman said the initiative will draw on the strengths of U-M's many efforts in environmental sustainability, including research centers such as the Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise, the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute and the Center for Sustainable Systems, as well as dozens of academic programs that include the Program in the Environment in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and the Engineering Sustainable Systems dual degree offered by the School of Natural Resources and Environment and the College of Engineering.
ENERGY NEWS
Electric companies set to spend on efficiency
A new study predicts increased spending on energy efficiency over the next decade, thanks to new policies promoting it across the U.S.
Carbon capture and storage: How green can black be?
Listen to AAAS September 23 carbon capture and storage interview with R. S. Haszeldine discussing the political and technical challenges to sequestration, transport, and storage of carbon dioxide. 
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES and COMPETITIONS
The Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Fellowship - Application Due Date: 11/30/09
The Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Fellowship program will award up to $12.5 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in early 2010 to support at least 80 graduate fellowships to U.S. students to pursue graduate training in basic research in areas of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computational sciences, and environmental science. The Fellowship award provides partial tuition support, an annual stipend for living expenses, and a research stipend for full-time graduate study and thesis/dissertation research at a U.S. academic institution for three years.
DTE - UM Clean Energy Prize - Executive Summaries Due 11/20/09
UPCOMING EVENTS
IEEE SE Michigan Power&Energy Society Chapter: Renewable Energy & Power System Design
Thursday, Oct. 15, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Black & Veatch
3550 Green Court
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
The event will be available via the Internet Link: https://bv.on.intercall.com/confmgr/public_unsched.jsp?confId=2479817
Toll-free number: USA / Canada (877)603-8688; Conference Code: 2479817
Contact: Kevin Taylor, SE Mich Chapter Chair, IEEE Power&Energy Society
The Business of Plugging In
Oct. 19 - 21
Detroit, MI
Moving Minds: The Next Transportation Infrastructure
Nov. 9-12
This year's summit will give special attention to: "Moving Minds" -- understanding the cultural, psychological, and aspirational underpinnings of our relationship to transportation (for both users and leaders), and responding with innovative systems, policies, and business models that address these dimensions sustainably, equitably, and compellingly. Sponsored by SMART
E3 2009: The Midwest's Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference
Tues., Nov. 17
Saint Paul RiverCentre
Saint Paul, MN
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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