Universities Work & Research for Alternative Energy
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The University of Toledo has been involved in research and development in solar technology for 20 years. First Solar is the country's largest manufacturer of solar cells. It originated in the labs of The University of Toledo. In 2001, The University of Toledo planned to build a program in alternative and renewable energy.
This program would focus on solar energy and then expand to wind energy, biomass, fuel cells and hybrid vehicles. Next they would bring their focus to The Clean and Alternative Energy Incubator. This would provide university spin-off businesses and alternative energy companies an opportunity to collaborate with the university on alternative energy ventures.
In 1977, West Texas State University formed the Alternative Energy Institute (AEI) as a result of wind energy research which started in 1970. AEI mainly focuses on wind energy, and also performs research and education on solar energy. AEI has gained recognized within US as well as outside the country and serves as one of the key information resources on wind energy in the State of Texas. Their program includes research, development, and design of renewable energy systems, wind data collection and analysis, evaluation of wind turbines as well as workshops, seminars, classes, training programs, publications, and consulting for individuals, industry, and governments.
Stanford University and The University of Haifa are involved in an effort to explore using a gas that exists on the ocean floor for energy production. This work will be carried out in the new School for Marine Studies at the University of Haifa. Mr. Charney, who donated an initial $8 million for the establishment of the School of Marine Sciences, which will bear his name, said "One of the primary goals of the school is to evaluate the possibility of turning gas lying at the sea floor into a valuable economic resource in order to eliminate dependence on oil and change the geo-political reality in the world."
He wishes to turn this School at the University of Haifa into a world leader in research in this field. "At a time when the entire world is concerned about the future of the planet, the University of Haifa is spearheading new research on the subjects of water and energy, where all of our futures lie. Our research will focus on producing alternative energy from water instead of oil - a revolution in the field. We are pleased that Stanford University is cooperating with us in this important research," added Charney, stressing that this source of energy exists on the entire planet and harnessing it will significantly reduce the dependence on oil, which is mainly concentrated in a few Middle Eastern countries.
UConn is beginning a new alternative energy research initiative for which three state energy companies have made a contribution of more than $2 million. The state Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams and the UConn officials announced this at a press conference. This also led to the state releasing an additional $2 million they had pledged to the University faculty program.
This program is a public-private partnership and has the support of the legislature. This funding will allow the University to get the best researchers and additional faculty to research fuel cells and other renewable energy technologies.