primary research theme: energy
Energy is the engine of technological and economic progress. Energy choices influence the environment across a range of scales, mold political alliances, and shape national defense commitments. Rapid growth of global energy consumption and slowing discoveries of new fossil energy reserves in recent years have brought the challenge of sustaining national and global energy security into sharp focus.
The challenge is compounded by concerns that the combustion of fossil fuels is causing global warming and other environmental changes. Universities must step up to this challenge by training new generations of experts in energy, developing fundamental new energy knowledge and innovative applications of that knowledge, and finally reaching out to educate the public about energy issues and options.
Penn State has many strong energy sciences and technology assets in its colleges and institutes. Points of teaching and research excellence cover a range of topics, including: clean coal technology, efficient energy conversion and utilization, biomass fuels, energy economics and policy studies, solar energy, nuclear power, space-based systems, ultra clean fuels, hydrogen energy, and others.
With the strengths outlined above, Penn State is already a leader in many areas of energy. In order to be an even stronger leader, the University recently launched a new energy initiative to strengthen those areas and to invest in new areas of energy science and engineering. The Energy Task Force Report, a report of an intra-University Energy Task Force charged by Senior Vice President for Research Eva J. Pell to develop a strategic vision and roadmap for energy science and engineering at Penn State, outlines this new energy initiative. (View Report)
Recommendations from the Energy Task Force Report include:
- Development of an exciting new undergraduate and graduate curriculum in energy;
- Development of a visionary interdisciplinary research program in energy science, engineering, and policy; and the
- Engagement of scientists, engineers, stakeholders, and the public through a vigorous outreach program.