Strategic Energy Research
Generation, Conversion, and Storage
Research Topics:
Bioenergy/Biofuels
- Affiliated Faculty & Researchers
With oil prices at record highs, energy generated from biomass for both vehicle fuel and power generation is becoming a major technology focus for the nation. Georgia Tech's biomass research programs are making significant strides in developing technologies such as cellulosic ethanol from Georgia soft woods, biodiesel and ethanol from algae, rapid screening processes for liquid biofuels and defining new methods for generating energy from alternative biomass combustion processes. Pursuing systems design studies and investigating the logistics of biofuels transportation and distribution represents another program thrust.
Affiliated Research Centers
Hydrogen
- Affiliated Faculty & Researchers
Converting from a fossil fuel dependent nation to a hydrogen economy is a primary driver in the creation of new hydrogen-based energy technologies. Georgia Tech researchers are making significant breakthroughs in fuel cell technologies, including storage applications and applied use in aircraft and other vehicles. Our collaborative efforts reach across international boundaries and have created exciting new opportunities for a clean energy future.
Affiliated Research Centers
Nuclear
- Affiliated Faculty & Researchers
Nuclear energy has seen a resurgence of interest as climate change issues in the news have raised questions about future directions for U.S. power production. The use of nuclear energy produces no air pollution or greenhouse gases, and it has low operating costs. Georgia Tech researchers are working to make more efficient processes for converting the heat generated from the nuclear reaction into electricity and contributing to the international criticality safety benchmark community.
Related Programs
Solar
- Affiliated Faculty & Researchers
There have been many exciting advances in the field of solar energy over the past decade, including higher efficiency crystalline silicon solar cells and organic based photovoltaics (PV). Georgia Tech is home to many experts in this field, including a University Center for Excellence in Photovoltaics (UCEP) and the Center for Organic Photonics and Electronics (COPE).
UCEP is improving the fundamental understanding of the science and technology of advanced PV devices while advancing the fabrication processes for record high efficiency solar cells. COPE is the premier research and educational resource in the nation for the creation of flexible organic photonic and electronic materials and devices that serve the information technology, energy, and defense sectors.
Wind and Water Power
- Affiliated Faculty & Researchers
Wind energy is the fastest growing renewable energy technology in the world. Research advances have helped reduce the cost of wind energy over the last twenty years, making it competitive with more conventional fossil fuel energy resources. Advances in traditional hydropower generation and new marine hydrokinetic technologies continue to evolve as part of global efforts to pursue a broader energy portfolio. Georgia Tech faculty members are pursuing research that includes: wind and water power turbine, rotor/generator and blade design optimization, forecasting for wind energy power production and operational safety, ocean energy resource assessments, and offshore wind farm feasibility studies that include coastal and marine spatial planning.
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