AEI Focus Area: Sustainable Energy
Sustainable Energy research seeks ways to meet the energy needs of the present without jeopardizing future generations’ abilities to meet theirs. For AEI, Sustainable Energy emphasizes aspects of energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy sources.
Active Research areas include combining a renewable approach with traditional fossil-based energy (for example biomass/coal co-combustion) as an effective way to transition to energy sustainability. Other research topics include co-processing and technology integration. WVU also continues to build expertise as it innovates in wind energy, solar energy conversion and biomass technology.
The following strategic emphasis areas combine current opportunities and WVU strengths:
- Biomass conversion and utilization
- Biomass / coal conversion with sequestration
- Energy-related water resource management
- Sustainable design and development
- Efficient and sustainable use of energy and natural resources
Energy efficiency and conservation are important subjects for WVU. Ongoing activities include residential, commercial and industrial design innovations for zero or low energy buildings. This includes insulation and energy management, efficient heating and cooling systems, and lighting. Energy storage and waste product use are also interest areas. Another aspect of conservation targets water use reduction; AEI will examine ways to improve sustainability by reducing water use and improving purity in energy-related water discharges.
Current Collaborations and Centers
AEI efforts in Sustainable Energy benefit from the on-going work of WVU research centers and consortia participation. For more information about AEI’s focus on Sustainable Energy, contact Joe Kozuch, Interim AEI Director (304-293-9112).
Center Name & Contact Info. |
Description and Parent Organization |
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Biomaterials and Wood Utilization Research Center (BWURC) |
BWURC provides research leadership to the forest products sector in the Appalachian region and promotes the success of the wood products industry and economic development in the region. One aspect of BWURC’s work is research in the use of woody biomass for bioproducts and biofuels. BWURC is within the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources in WVU’s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences. |
Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions (CAFEE) |
CAFEE is an internationally recognized research program in the area of vehicles, engines, emissions and alternative fuels with a particular focus on heavy-duty engines, heavy-duty vehicles, locomotives, and marine vessels. CAFEE has extensive emissions-testing expertise through research programs utilizing CAFEE's Engine and Emissions Research Laboratory, Transportable Vehicle Emissions Testing Laboratories (heavy- and medium-duty), and portable raw emissions testing laboratories. CAFEE is within the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. |
EMSE is a sub-discipline of Materials Science and Engineering. Energy materials are materials for energy conversion, utilization, efficiency and storage. Development of EMSE is underway with collaboration from faculty across WVU; administratively EMSE is within the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. |
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The Energy Systems Resilience Program (ESRP) |
ESRP’s modeling tools are focused on simulating energy production systems and their interdependent distribution infrastructures. The lead project is the Regional Energy Systems Analysis Portal that supports effective decision making for crisis event planning, response and recovery. ESRP is a joint research and development program of West Virginia University, the West Virginia Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, and the US Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory. |
The IAC is one of 26 centers funded by the US Department of Energy to provide no-cost energy and resource utilization assessments and opportunity identification to small and mid-sized manufacturers. IAC is part of the Department of Industrial & Management Systems Engineering of the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. |
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National Environmental Services Center (NESC) |
NESC assists small and rural communities with their drinking water, wastewater, environmental training, infrastructure resilience, and utility management needs and helps them find solutions to problems they face. NESC is part of WVU’s National Research Center for Coal and Energy. |
Consortium for Fossil Fuel Science (CFFS) |
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. |
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. |
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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. |
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National Research Center for Coal & Energy (NRCCE) |
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. |
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. |
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West Virginia-US Department of Energy Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) |
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)
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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. |
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. |
