Nanoscience Center sponsors workshop on future of batteries
The Indiana University Nanoscience Center sponsored a workshop on advanced battery technologies on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009. The workshop was an outgrowth of a major two-day Energy Conference held at IU Bloomington and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in August.
The workshop explored current battery research and future directions for developing high-power and high-energy density batteries needed for transportation and renewable energy applications. With contributors from IU Bloomington, IUPUI, Ohio State University, Illinois Institute of Technology, industry and government laboratories, the workshop focused on identifying areas of mutual interest and developing regional collaborations. Read more here.
IU Conference Sets Stage for Developing Energy Research Agenda
Government officials and business leaders presented a consistent message to Indiana University faculty members and administrators last week: IU, they said, can play a key role in conducting research to help Indiana and the nation develop sound energy policies and technologies.
More than 200 faculty members and staff from all IU campuses participated in the conference, which took place Thursday at IU Bloomington and Friday at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. IU officials planned the conference to start formulating a comprehensive energy research plan. Read more about the IU Energy Conference here.
Global Warming Impacts on Indiana
Global temperatures rose steadily over the past century with damaging effects on our environment, health, and livelihoods. A recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates average Indiana temperatures could rise by approximately 4 degrees Fahrenheit more by 2100 if global warming continues unabated. In Indiana, the effects of global warming pose serious risks to human health, wildlife and ecosystems, and may adversely affect agriculture and tourism.(more)
The Clean Energy Economy Indiana
Indiana has a large and growing piece of America’s clean energy economy, with more than 17,000 jobs in 2007. In fact, it is one of seven states and the District of Columbia where total jobs fell but jobs in the clean energy economy increased between 1998 and 2007. The state’s jobs in the Clean Energy category grew by 78 percent in that time—not a surprise, considering Indiana’s recent leaps forward in the wind power industry. (more)
ECE Distinguished Speaker Series
Friday, November 13, 2009
10:30am-12:00pm IT 167 (535 W. Michigan Street)
Just How Complicated and Smart Can A Power System Be?
James S. Thorp, Ph.D- Hugh P. and Ethel C. Kelley Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech
This talk will present an overview of the interconnected power system as a complex system from bifurcations, to chaos, to fractals, and power law behavior. Mechanisms of cascading outages involving “hidden failures” and the propagation of electromechanical waves will be presented along with illustrations of the 2003 blackout. The “Smart Grid” will be examined at a variety of levels including the impact of Synchrophasor Measurements and Wide Area Measurement Systems (WAMs).
Continuing his focus on America’s energy security, Senator Lugar highlighted progressive energy projects across Indiana.
Senator Lugar joined Rep. Pete Visclosky at Purdue University Calumet for an energy forum and expo on October 7. During the Forum, Senator Lugar said "energy security should be our foremost investment target" and challenged the next president to focus on America's energy security. During the expo, Senator Lugar visited with more than 30 vendors showcasing renewable and sustainable energy products from across Indiana and the nation.
