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In 2007, NC State licensed a process called Centia to Diversified Energy Corporation. Centia is a green method of turning virtually any fat source - animal fats, waste greases, agricultural oils, etc. - into fuel.
Driving Innovation in Energy and the Environment
Energy is the world’s biggest industry. Balancing North Carolina’s energy security in the 21st century with economic growth and environmental sustainability will require technological breakthroughs in multiple areas, closely coupled with realistic economic analyses and acceptable social policy changes.
What we’ve done:
• Energy and Environment research: NC State’s energy and environmental research spans a wide spectrum, from the nation’s first university-operated nuclear reactor to developing biofuels from “woody biomass” like trees, switchgrass and various agriculture residues. In 2007, NC State licensed a process called Centia to Diversified Energy Corporation. Centia is a green method of turning virtually any fat source – animal fats, waste greases, agricultural oils, etc. – into fuel.
• Solar Center: The North Carolina Solar Center is the state’s leading outreach and extension operation for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and alternative fuels technologies and public policy. Initially a true solar center encouraging the use of passive solar heating systems and photovoltaics, the center has grown to embrace wind, fuel cells, biofuels, energy efficiency and industrial process efficiency. The NC Solar Center provides direct technical assistance on renewable-energy technologies to builders, homeowners, architects, and companies. It also administers the state’s green buildings program -- NC HealthyBuilt Homes -- that promotes sustainable design and production and maintains a nationally recognized database of renewable energy incentives for the U.S. Department of Energy.
• The Industrial Assessment Center (IAC) has helped hundreds of small and mid-sized companies become more energy efficient over the past 14 years. Teams of NC State faculty and students conduct about two dozen energy audits a year, checking boilers, HVAC systems, and lighting for wasted energy. The IAC’s work not only helps reduce energy usage but also saves jobs by helping businesses produce efficiencies and cut costs.
What we’ll do:
• Energy initiative: In 2007-08, NC State will martial its resources to focus on energy and the environment. An energy council made up of students, faculty, staff and industry representatives has begun the planning process for a “Year of Energy.” The council will not only concentrate on building partnerships and momentum, but also on how we build on our academic resources to create scholarships and academic programs focused around energy and the environment.
• American Home Project: NC State, in partnership with numerous public and private institutions, is establishing the American Home at NC State to advance innovation, education, demonstration, and energy conservation as they relate to the housing industry. The American Home at NC State will consist of a small neighborhood located on Centennial Campus that will be used to showcase a variety of homes that are accessible to the general public. The American Home at NC State will also foster a multidisciplinary approach in studying and communicating advanced housing concepts, technologies, and practices.
• Faculty Hires: To support NC State’s overall commitment to energy and the environment, the university will make “clusters hires” of approximately 30 faculty members