AEI Focus Area: Fossil Energy

The broad area of Fossil Energy includes fossil energy resources, conversion, utilization and environmental management. West Virginia is an energy state primarily concerned with coal and natural gas; the alignment of Fossil Energy to West Virginia’s history, resources and concerns is strong. WVU’s researchers have a strong track record of technology development and impact on our energy economy. Founded in 1979, the National Research Center for Coal and Energy (NRCCE) is the central WVU figure in Fossil Energy, supporting many research areas. Additional research centers and collaborators are found within various WVU colleges, most notably the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.

Understanding the current and future needs of our nation, our state, and the world, AEI focuses WVU’s research in Fossil Energy in these areas of emphasis:

Carbon Capture and Geologic Storage
High-Efficiency Engine and Vehicle Technology
Fuels Production
Clean Power Generation and Distribution
Extraction Technology
Utilization of Coal for Clean Transportation Fuels and Chemicals

Current Collaborations and Centers

WVU is home to many organizations working to advance aspects of Fossil Energy technology. Our organizations and researchers collaborate with other universities, research organizations, government laboratories, and private sector for-profit and non-profit organizations. Research benefits from the intense interdisciplinary approach that grows from shared strengths and expertise. By joining with others, we also achieve the resource critical mass required for major research efforts.

Consortia and Research Centers are listed below. Click on the organization’s name for a brief description and contact information.

For more information about AEI’s focus on Fossil Fuel, contact Joe Kozuch, Interim AEI Director (304-293-9112).

Center Name & Contact info	Description and Parent Organization
Advanced Power & Electricity Research Center (APERC) Ali Feliachi	APERC’s focus is on innovations in system-wide control using operational and economic data in order to achieve economical and reliable control systems. Research topics include smart grid systems at all scales. APERC is a university-wide research center enabled by interdisciplinary work; it is located within the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, part of WVU’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.
Appalachian Oil and Natural Gas Research Consortium (AONGRC) Doug Patchen	Focused on the needs of the petroleum industry in the Appalachian region, AONGRC programs seek to enhance oil and gas production from marginal fields, develop new sources of shallow gas, develop deeper sources of natural gas and map and expand our energy infrastructure. Consortium members include the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, the Kentucky Geological Survey, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Topographical and Geological Survey, and the Ohio Geological Survey.
Coal and Energy Research Bureau (CERB) Christopher Bise	CERB is dedicated to development of safer, environmentally sensitive and economically beneficial ways to mine, transport, and use coal. CERB is located within the Mining Department of WVU’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.
Natural Resource Analysis Center (NRAC) Jerald Fletcher	By incorporating such technologies as geographic information systems and remote sensing, the Natural Resource Analysis Center provides valuable data for use in environmental planning, environmental and natural resource economics, forest and wildlands recreation, wildlife management, forest ecology, and land and water resource reclamation. In the energy area, NRAC provides analysis that leads to data-based decision making and a sound understanding of environmental impact. NRAC is a multi-disciplinary research and teaching facility located within the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.
NETL-Regional University Alliance (NETL-RUA) for Energy Technology Innovation Curt M. Peterson	The Regional University Alliance (RUA) assist the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in conducting both basic and applied energy and environmental research programs. The NETL-RUA seeks to meet our Nation’s demands for clean, affordable, abundant energy required for energy independence and security. RUA consists of a consortium of five universities: Carnegie Mellon University, West Virginia University, the University of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Tech.
Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC) Doug Patchen	PTTC is a national not-for-profit organization managed by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. PTTC is a forum for transfer of technology and best-practices within the producer community. Its purpose is to connect independent producers with the technology and knowledge to safely and responsibly develop the nation’s oil and gas resources. PTTC’s work is regionally focused. West Virginia University, Western Michigan University and Illinois State Geological Survey participate within the eastern region.
The Supercomputing Science Consortium ((SC)2) Richard Bajura Don McLaughlin Frances VanScoy	From the WVU Lane Department Beowulf cluster to the "big iron" at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center and access to several high computing clusters, membership in the Supercomputing Science Consortium provides WVU faculty and their partners fast access to state-of-the-art technology in the computational sciences. (SC)2 members include the National Energy Technology Laboratory, the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, WVU, the West Virginia Governor’s Office of Technology, the Institute for Scientific Research, Duquesne University, Pennsylvania State University, Waynesburg College and the NASA IV & V program.
US-China Energy Center www.nrcce.wvu.edu/uscec Jerald J. Fletcher	Established in 2003, the US-China Energy Center at WVU operates as a university-wide center to coordinate, expand and develop linkages between energy and coal-related research, programs that relate directly to activities with China and new initiatives to support research and economic development related to US-China interactions in energy and clean coal technologies. Projects have been funded by the US Department of Energy and the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The US-China Energy Center is a collaboration between the National Research Center for Coal and Energy and the Natural Resource Analysis Center of the Davis College.
Longwall Mining and Ground Control Research Center (LMGCRC) Syd S. Peng	The LMGCRC’s objective is to provide reliable techniques for the analyses, design and operation of longwall mines, to provide problem-resolution services, and develop methods for ground control. LMGCRC is located within the Mining Department of WVU’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.
Consortium for Fossil Fuel Science (CFFS) Richard Bajura	Established in 1986, the CFFS focuses on C1 chemistry for the production of hydrogen fuels and transportation liquids from natural gas and synthesis gas produced from coal, biomass, or waste. Using state-of-the-art technologies, WVU researchers are developing new catalysts and an understanding of chemical reaction processes in the production of premium-grade liquid fuels and hydrogen from coal and natural gas. CFFS is headquartered at the University of Kentucky and includes scientists at WVU, Auburn University, The University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Utah.
Industries of the Future - West Virginia (IOF-WV) Carl Irwin	IOF-WV is an industrial partnership program designed to help manufacturers create financial savings through development of energy efficient processes and materials. In association with the Industrial Assessment Center, IOF-WV conducts energy assessments, provides technical assistance, and conducts training. IOF-WV is a program of the National Research Center for Coal and Energy.
National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC) Al Ebron	NAFTC provides the training infrastructure for implementing widespread use of alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and advance technology vehicles in an effort to increase our nation’s energy security and improve our air quality. NAFTC is headquartered at WVU’s National Research Center for Coal and Energy and includes 45 affiliated National Training Centers at post-secondary institutions nationwide.
National Research Center for Coal & Energy (NRCCE) Richard Bajura	The NRCCE is a research center and information clearinghouse dedicated to securing our nation’s energy needs, protecting our environment and promoting our economic development. NRCCE has established and administers a wide range of programs in support of their vision of a nation with abundant energy, a healthy environment, and a vibrant economy. NRCCE is a center of the WVU Research Corporation.
National Institute of Fuel-Cell Technology (NIFT) Ismail Celik	NIFT strives to make fuel cells an affordable, efficient, clean source of energy. NIFT works from strengths in applying nano technology to develop and fabricate materials for fuel cells, material characterization, fuel-cell testing capability, and performance modeling. NIFT is a multi-disciplinary cluster of WVU researchers working in cooperation with four industrial organizations and three DOE national laboratories. NIFT is housed within the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.
West Virginia-US Department of Energy Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Richard Bajura	Through EPSCoR, faculty may participate in the Laboratory Partnership Program of the State Implementation Program (SIP). The SIP promotes interdisciplinary research centers of excellence on energy issues relevant to West Virginia and the US Department of Energy based on West Virginia’s Science and Technology Plan. Two centers have been funded in the past ten years: the Advanced Power and Electricity Research Center (APERC) and the National Institute of Fuel-Cell Technology (NIFT). WV EPSCoR is coordinated at the state level by the WVU NRCCE Director’s Office with the West Virginia EPSCoR Office.
WV Water Research Institute (WVWRI) Paul F. Ziemkiewicz	Established in 1967 and part of NRCCE, the WVWRI is the statewide institute for research related to energy and water issues. Through its major regional and national programs, the Institute focuses on water and environmental issues related to energy and industrial activity. WVWRI serves the State by addressing important environmental questions through its major research and service programs including the National Mine Land Reclamation Center, Acid Drainage Technology Initiative, State Water Institute, Geo-Technical Center, Land Rehabilitation Center, and the Hydrology Research Center. WVWRI was established by federal legislation in the late 1960s and continues to receive base funding from the US Geological Survey and WVU NRCCE.�The bulk of its funding is acquired through competitive grants.
Zero Emissions Research and Technology Center (ZERT) Richard Bajura	ZERT is a research collaborative focused on understanding the basic science of underground (geologic) carbon dioxide storage to mitigate greenhouse gasses from fossil fuel use and to develop technologies that can ensure the safety and reliability of that storage. ZERT is a partnership involving DOE laboratories (Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) as well as universities (Montana State and West Virginia University). ZERT at West Virginia University specializes in power system integration, the production of hydrogen from coal and natural gas, and the chemical evolution of groundwater systems, oil/gas reservoirs and coal beds in response to elevated CO2. One major project involves WVU, CONSOL Energy, and the National Energy Technology Laboratory in a demonstration project in Marshall County, W.Va.

Center Name & Contact info

Description and Parent Organization

Advanced Power & Electricity Research Center (APERC)

Ali Feliachi

APERC’s focus is on innovations in system-wide control using operational and economic data in order to achieve economical and reliable control systems. Research topics include smart grid systems at all scales.

APERC is a university-wide research center enabled by interdisciplinary work; it is located within the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, part of WVU’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

Appalachian Oil and Natural Gas Research Consortium (AONGRC)

Doug Patchen

Focused on the needs of the petroleum industry in the Appalachian region, AONGRC programs seek to enhance oil and gas production from marginal fields, develop new sources of shallow gas, develop deeper sources of natural gas and map and expand our energy infrastructure.

Consortium members include the West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, the Kentucky Geological Survey, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Topographical and Geological Survey, and the Ohio Geological Survey.

Coal and Energy Research Bureau (CERB)

Christopher Bise

CERB is dedicated to development of safer, environmentally sensitive and economically beneficial ways to mine, transport, and use coal.

CERB is located within the Mining Department of WVU’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

Natural Resource Analysis Center (NRAC)

Jerald Fletcher

By incorporating such technologies as geographic information systems and remote sensing, the Natural Resource Analysis Center provides valuable data for use in environmental planning, environmental and natural resource economics, forest and wildlands recreation, wildlife management, forest ecology, and land and water resource reclamation. In the energy area, NRAC provides analysis that leads to data-based decision making and a sound understanding of environmental impact.

NRAC is a multi-disciplinary research and teaching facility located within the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design.

NETL-Regional University Alliance (NETL-RUA) for Energy Technology Innovation

Curt M. Peterson

The Regional University Alliance (RUA) assist the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in conducting both basic and applied energy and environmental research programs. The NETL-RUA seeks to meet our Nation’s demands for clean, affordable, abundant energy required for energy independence and security.

RUA consists of a consortium of five universities: Carnegie Mellon University, West Virginia University, the University of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Tech.

Petroleum Technology Transfer Council (PTTC)

Doug Patchen

PTTC is a national not-for-profit organization managed by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. PTTC is a forum for transfer of technology and best-practices within the producer community. Its purpose is to connect independent producers with the technology and knowledge to safely and responsibly develop the nation’s oil and gas resources.

PTTC’s work is regionally focused. West Virginia University, Western Michigan University and Illinois State Geological Survey participate within the eastern region.

The Supercomputing Science Consortium ((SC)2)

Richard Bajura
Don McLaughlin
Frances VanScoy

From the WVU Lane Department Beowulf cluster to the "big iron" at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center and access to several high computing clusters, membership in the Supercomputing Science Consortium provides WVU faculty and their partners fast access to state-of-the-art technology in the computational sciences.

(SC)2 members include the National Energy Technology Laboratory, the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh, WVU, the West Virginia Governor’s Office of Technology, the Institute for Scientific Research, Duquesne University, Pennsylvania State University, Waynesburg College and the NASA IV & V program.

US-China Energy Center
www.nrcce.wvu.edu/uscec

Jerald J. Fletcher

Established in 2003, the US-China Energy Center at WVU operates as a university-wide center to coordinate, expand and develop linkages between energy and coal-related research, programs that relate directly to activities with China and new initiatives to support research and economic development related to US-China interactions in energy and clean coal technologies.

Projects have been funded by the US Department of Energy and the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The US-China Energy Center is a collaboration between the National Research Center for Coal and Energy and the Natural Resource Analysis Center of the Davis College.

Longwall Mining and Ground Control Research Center (LMGCRC)

Syd S. Peng

The LMGCRC’s objective is to provide reliable techniques for the analyses, design and operation of longwall mines, to provide problem-resolution services, and develop methods for ground control.

LMGCRC is located within the Mining Department of WVU’s College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

Consortium for Fossil Fuel Science (CFFS)

Richard Bajura

Established in 1986, the CFFS focuses on C1 chemistry for the production of hydrogen fuels and transportation liquids from natural gas and synthesis gas produced from coal, biomass, or waste. Using state-of-the-art technologies, WVU researchers are developing new catalysts and an understanding of chemical reaction processes in the production of premium-grade liquid fuels and hydrogen from coal and natural gas.

CFFS is headquartered at the University of Kentucky and includes scientists at WVU, Auburn University, The University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Utah.

Industries of the Future - West Virginia (IOF-WV)

Carl Irwin

IOF-WV is an industrial partnership program designed to help manufacturers create financial savings through development of energy efficient processes and materials. In association with the Industrial Assessment Center, IOF-WV conducts energy assessments, provides technical assistance, and conducts training.

IOF-WV is a program of the National Research Center for Coal and Energy.

National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC)

Al Ebron

NAFTC provides the training infrastructure for implementing widespread use of alternative fuels, alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and advance technology vehicles in an effort to increase our nation’s energy security and improve our air quality.

NAFTC is headquartered at WVU’s National Research Center for Coal and Energy and includes 45 affiliated National Training Centers at post-secondary institutions nationwide.

National Research Center for Coal & Energy (NRCCE)

Richard Bajura

The NRCCE is a research center and information clearinghouse dedicated to securing our nation’s energy needs, protecting our environment and promoting our economic development. NRCCE has established and administers a wide range of programs in support of their vision of a nation with abundant energy, a healthy environment, and a vibrant economy.

NRCCE is a center of the WVU Research Corporation.

National Institute of Fuel-Cell Technology (NIFT)

Ismail Celik

NIFT strives to make fuel cells an affordable, efficient, clean source of energy. NIFT works from strengths in applying nano technology to develop and fabricate materials for fuel cells, material characterization, fuel-cell testing capability, and performance modeling.

NIFT is a multi-disciplinary cluster of WVU researchers working in cooperation with four industrial organizations and three DOE national laboratories. NIFT is housed within the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

West Virginia-US Department of Energy Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)

Richard Bajura

Through EPSCoR, faculty may participate in the Laboratory Partnership Program of the State Implementation Program (SIP). The SIP promotes interdisciplinary research centers of excellence on energy issues relevant to West Virginia and the US Department of Energy based on West Virginia’s Science and Technology Plan. Two centers have been funded in the past ten years: the Advanced Power and Electricity Research Center (APERC) and the National Institute of Fuel-Cell Technology (NIFT).

WV EPSCoR is coordinated at the state level by the WVU NRCCE Director’s Office with the West Virginia EPSCoR Office.

WV Water Research Institute (WVWRI)

Paul F. Ziemkiewicz

Established in 1967 and part of NRCCE, the WVWRI is the statewide institute for research related to energy and water issues. Through its major regional and national programs, the Institute focuses on water and environmental issues related to energy and industrial activity. WVWRI serves the State by addressing important environmental questions through its major research and service programs including the National Mine Land Reclamation Center, Acid Drainage Technology Initiative, State Water Institute, Geo-Technical Center, Land Rehabilitation Center, and the Hydrology Research Center.

WVWRI was established by federal legislation in the late 1960s and continues to receive base funding from the US Geological Survey and WVU NRCCE.�The bulk of its funding is acquired through competitive grants.

Zero Emissions Research and Technology Center (ZERT)

Richard Bajura

ZERT is a research collaborative focused on understanding the basic science of underground (geologic) carbon dioxide storage to mitigate greenhouse gasses from fossil fuel use and to develop technologies that can ensure the safety and reliability of that storage.

ZERT is a partnership involving DOE laboratories (Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) as well as universities (Montana State and West Virginia University).

ZERT at West Virginia University specializes in power system integration, the production of hydrogen from coal and natural gas, and the chemical evolution of groundwater systems, oil/gas reservoirs and coal beds in response to elevated CO2. One major project involves WVU, CONSOL Energy, and the National Energy Technology Laboratory in a demonstration project in Marshall County, W.Va.