CLEAN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

Rising prices, declining supplies of petroleum, and increasing concerns about global climate change have driven intense interest in new energy technologies.

Syracuse Center of Excellence members are pursuing multiple opportunities, including new biofuels, improved technologies to produce power from the sun and wind, processes to reduce emissions from traditional fuels, innovations to increase energy efficiency, and workforce skill development in multiple energy related fields.

In January 2005 the mission of the Syracuse CoE was expanded to include research and development in renewable and clean energy sources. Dr. Edwin White of SUNY ESF coordinates the activities of the Syracuse CoE Energy Group.

Photo: Prof. Ken Visser of Clarkson University is conducting research into win power and better designs for wind turbines.

Projects being conducted by Syracuse CoE federation members include:

 

       Clarkson University:

• Dairy waste-to-energy research activities

• Research on advances in fuel cell design

• Wind energy – blade and turbine technological advances

• Energy efficiency research

• Areas of advanced motor design & improved truck efficiency

• Advanced biofuels conversion technologies and impacts on environment and human health

• Numerous other proposals:

•  NSF IGERT / industrial partners affiliated with CoE

•  Energy outreach and education through K-12 outreach

•  New construction for sustainable energy research labs

•  Proposed Center for Sustainable Energy Systems on campus

 

        Cornell University:

• Cornell Fuel Cell Institute supported by DOE

• Major DOE program (COBRA) on plasma fusion in Lab of Plasma Studies

• Electrical and Computer Engineering

• NSF Center focused on electric power grid (consortium of 13 universities)

• Investigation of methane hydrates

• Earth & Atmospheric Sciences / Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 

• Student project to convert waste vegetable oil to biodiesel

• Lignocellulosic materials to ethanol

• Center for Northeast Sun Grant Initiative

• Anaerobic co-digestion of manure and food waste

• Conversion of dairy-manure derived biogas to hydrogen

• Conversion of biogas to liquid fuels such as DME

• Transfer of manure management solutions to farmers

• Utilization of GIS to co-locate manure and food wastes

 

       SUNY-ESF: SUNY Center for Sustainable and Clean Energy

• Biohydrogen Antek Corporation

• 250 KW Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell

• Naturally-Chilled H2O

• Salix Consortium

• Wood Gasification/Syngas

• Bioplastics

• Wood-based Biorefinery in New York

• Combined Heat and Power (CHP) (Syracuse Green Power Plant)

 

       Syracuse University:

• Project to develop supercritical diesel fuel combustion systems

• Develop compact CHP unit using Biodiesel from soybean oil via supercritical oxidation

• Advisory project to NRC on re-use of spent fuel and waste minimization

• i-BES Control for the personal environment

• US DoE Industrial Assessment Center (IAC)

• Industrial and Residential Cogeneration

• Research on compact biodiesel CHP units

 

Prototype High Energy Performance Home

Another initiative underway at the CoE is the construction of a High Environmental Performance residential prototype home.

Northeast Natural Homes, Inc., a charter member of the Syracuse Center of Excellence, is working with Syracuse CoE Members Syracuse University, Camroden Associates, CDH Energy Corporation and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA); and with Ramsgard Architectural Design, and the National Center for Energy Management and Building Technology through the Energy Resource Center at the University of Illinois.

The prototype integrates and optimizes energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and durability into an adaptable pattern for affordable residential housing for New York State.

By integrating innovative construction strategies for cold climates, the project aims to meet or exceed a 40% energy savings goal relative to a US Department of Energy “Building America” benchmark home.

 

NYSERDA PON 936: Supporting a Bioproducts Industry

Syracuse CoE Partner SUNY ESF coordinated efforts to facilitate the development, demonstration, and commercialization of bioproducts technologies, equipment, and manufacturing plants under this NYSERDA grant.

The following Syracuse CoE Members participated in the program for a total award of $240,000:

• Guptil Farms

• Sheppard Grain

• Double A Vineyards

•  Northern Biodiesel

•  Changing World Technologies, Inc

•  CoolBrands Dairy, Inc