Rensselaer will mark the opening of the Future Energy Systems Center for Advanced Technology on Tuesday, June 7, at 11 a.m. Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson will be joined by New York State Lieutenant Governor Mary Donohue, State Senator Joseph Bruno, New York State Office of Science, Technology, and Academic Research (NYSTAR) Executive Director Russell Bessette, Plug Power Chief Operating Officer Greg Silvestri, and Rensselaer Vice President for Research Omkaram "Om" Nalamasu for the kick-off event.

Research at the new Future Energy Systems CAT will focus on renewable energy and energy conservation systems, with an initial emphasis on fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, smart lighting, smart displays, and emerging renewable energy systems. Future research priorities will track new scientific developments and marketplace opportunities.

Researchers and students will display examples of emerging technologies including: fuel cells and hydrogen research, smart lighting with LEDs (light emitting diodes), high-tech solar cells that can transform the sun's light to electricity, and smart displays based on organic electronic materials.

Research at the new Future Energy Systems CAT will focus on renewable energy and energy conservation systems, with an initial emphasis on fuel cells and the hydrogen economy, smart lighting, smart displays, and emerging renewable energy systems. Future research priorities will track new scientific developments and marketplace opportunities.

Rensselaer has been awarded up to $10 million in state funds, through NYSTAR, to create the Center, in partnership with Cornell University and the Brookhaven National Laboratory. Rensselaer has a goal of matching the state funds with an additional $10 million or more in industry and federal support for its energy research.

To speed technology commercialization and to develop a highly-skilled workforce, the Center will work with a number of New York based companies along with other global industry leaders, and federal and state entities including the U.S. Department of Energy, NYSTAR, and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

"The energy question is one of the greatest challenges facing our country and the world. We cannot just drill our way out of the problem; we must innovate our way to energy security. Our goal is to make New York state a world leader in energy research and a powerful generator of energy-related business and jobs," said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. "We applaud Governor Pataki, the legislature, and NYSTAR for their leadership in providing the spark that will ignite this powerful collaboration among New York state universities, industry, and government. We thank them for their support of Rensselaer's leadership in energy research."

Published June 6, 2005