NYSTAR funding to support energy research and technology commercialization in NYS

Troy, N.Y. — Governor George E. Pataki today announced that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has been awarded up to $10 million in state funds to create the Future Energy Systems Center for Advanced Technology (CAT), in partnership with Cornell University and the Brookhaven National Laboratory.

“The energy question is one of the greatest challenges facing our country and the world. 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 between New York state universities, industry, and government. We thank them for their support of Rensselaer’s leadership in energy research.”

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 (solar cells). Future research priorities will track new scientific developments and marketplace opportunities.

“This Future Energy Systems Center for Advanced Technology, with its strong partnerships between universities, industry, and government, will enhance New York state’s ability to establish its technological pre-eminence in the energy sector,” said Professor Om Nalamasu, director of the Future Energy Systems CAT and director of Rensselaer’s Center for Integrated Electronics. “Our focus on technology commercialization will reduce the time it takes for ideas to move from the lab to the marketplace, help retain and create new jobs in New York state, increase the incentives for energy companies to relocate to New York, and effectively position us to expand our collaborations with the federal government on important energy research initiatives.”

Governor Pataki has set a goal of meeting 20 percent of the state’s energy needs through renewable energy sources by 2010. “We hope to play a pivotal role in helping New York state meet that aggressive goal, and create new jobs in the process,” Professor Nalamasu said.

Funding for Rensselaer’s new CAT is provided by the New York State Office of Science, Technology and Academic Research (NYSTAR). According to NYSTAR officials, it is expected that the center will receive up to $1 million annually, and will be designated for up to 10 years.

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.

Russell W. Bessette, M.D., executive director of the New York State Office of Science, Technology, and Academic Research, said, “Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Future Energy Systems Center will be an extremely important component of the state’s high-technology economic development efforts. With the research in energy systems being done at this center, coupled with technological research in a wide range of areas, RPI will be a key partner in helping create a vibrant high-technology-based economy for New York state.”

State funding for the Future Energy Systems CAT will support initiatives to develop product ideas and solutions, offer technical assistance to nurture innovative ideas, provide project evaluation and testing, and offer programs to help educate the workforce, according to Professor Nalamasu.

Rensselaer will work in close partnership with researchers at Cornell University, leveraging the institutions’ complementary research strengths in addressing priority energy issues. The universities also will work with researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory, tapping into their research expertise and technical resources.

Rensselaer’s Future Energy Systems CAT is one of 10 newly designated Centers for Advanced Technology announced today by Governor Pataki. Rensselaer is one of only two New York universities to lead two state-funded Centers for Advanced Technology.

Contact: Theresa Bourgeois
Phone: (518) 276-2840
E-mail: bourgt@rpi.edu