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2008 News Releases 7.24.08 3.10.08 1.15.08 |
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Media Inquiries: Linda Cook |
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Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC Brings Together Key Partners Battelle and MRI to Manage National Renewable Energy Laboratory—Bold New Team and Vision Promises to Drive Change Agenda There will be a 60-day transition period. Upon conclusion of the transition, and completion of the existing contract, the Alliance will take over full management and operations responsibilities. “We are honored that DOE has selected our team to lead NREL,” said the Alliance President and Laboratory Director, Dr. Dan Arvizu. “Our primary mission will be to support DOE in the development and deployment of innovative, high impact renewable energy technologies. The Alliance hopes that a fortunate byproduct of this mission will be the creation of a renewable energy ‘Silicon Valley,’ emanating from the laboratory, the State of Colorado, and the Front Range, while reaching out to national and international connections for wider impact on clean energy.” The Alliance team will manage and operate the laboratory by leveraging the expertise and accomplishments of MRI and Battelle—two companies who have a 10-year history of teaming success at NREL. “We have already begun our trajectory to transform NREL from a great laboratory to our concept of the world’s premiere laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency,” said Dr. James Spigarelli, MRI President and CEO. “Our history at NREL provides us with a solid foundation, and we will build on that foundation with new programs, relationships, and corporate investments that position the laboratory as the premier center for renewable energy and energy efficiency research, with a much stronger focus on technology commercialization and deployment.” “We look forward to working in full partnership with MRI on this new vision to move NREL to the next level, a commitment that will help us continue to serve our most important customer—DOE—as it responds to one of the most critical needs facing our country,” said Dr. Jeffrey Wadsworth, Battelle Executive Vice President for Global Laboratory Operations. “Our new governance structure, innovative concepts for enhancing the Laboratory’s impact, outstanding leadership and world-class public and private partners will enable NREL to find solutions to the significant energy challenges facing our country and the world.” The Alliance has a bold vision and clear concept for the future of NREL which includes:
To increase NREL’s impact in achieving national energy goals and to leverage the federal investment in the laboratory, the Alliance has committed to invest significantly in the laboratory through the engagement of the State of Colorado and more than 20 other organizations and collaborators. The Alliance will enhance capabilities in science and technology by working with other national laboratories and for commercialization and development through representation from leading institutions in the investment community. In addition, the Alliance will collaborate with five of the nation’s leading research universities (Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, University of Colorado-Boulder, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Stanford University) -- creating outstanding opportunities to further ensure the nation’s sustainability needs are addressed. MIDWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE MRI Media Contact: Linda Cook, (816) 360.1943, lcook@mriresearch.org BATTELLE MRI Announces
NREL Solar Research Gains Two R&D 100 Awards The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), which has been managed by MRI since the Laboratory’s inception in 1977, has garnered two prestigious R&D 100 Awards, known as “the Oscars of Invention,” from R&D Magazine. The R&D 100 Award showcases the most significant new technologies commercialized worldwide. NREL, located in Golden, Colo., has won a total of 42 of the awards, which the magazine has been presenting annually since 1969. NREL’s two recent awards recognize research at the laboratory’s National Center for Photovoltaics and include an ultra-light, highly efficient solar cell and use of ink-jet printing to manufacture thin-film photovoltaics. “It is an honor to receive an R&D 100 Award,” said MRI President and CEO James L. Spigarelli. “The recognition of these two technologies underscores the achievement of our scientists and engineers, as well as NREL’s leadership role in innovations for renewable energy and energy efficiency.” The new Inverted Metamorphic Multi-Junction solar cell was developed at NREL and is being commercialized by Emcore Corp. of Albuquerque, N.M., in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratories Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque.The cell already had set a pair of world records for solar conversion efficiency when it was nominated for the R&D 100 award, and recently it set a third world record with a solar conversion rate that exceeded 40 percent. The thin-film photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing process combines NREL's precursor inks with a rapid reactive bonding technique being commercialized by HelioVolt Corp. of Austin, Texas. The combination eliminates complex manufacturing methods and could create enough of the flexible film to turn entire buildings and other structures into small, self-sustaining power plants. Xcel Energy also supported the work. “These two technologies represent a new wave of breakthroughs in development of solar cells that will have a significant impact on the penetration of solar energy in the marketplace,” said Dan Arvizu, NREL Director and Senior Vice President of MRI. The Inverted Metamorphic Multi-Junction Solar Cell represents a new class of solar cells with clear advantages in performance, engineering design, operation and cost. It employs an entirely new way of constructing solar cells. For decades, conventional cells have featured multi-layer structures of semiconducting materials with similar crystalline structure. Their performance and cost effectiveness is constrained by growing the cells in an upright configuration. Meanwhile, the cells are rigid, heavy and thick with a bottom layer made of germanium. In the new method, the cell is grown upside down. These layers use high-energy materials with extremely high quality crystals, especially in the upper layers of the cell where most of the power is produced. Not all of the layers follow the lattice pattern of even atomic spacing. Instead, the cell includes a full range of atomic spacing, which allows for greater absorption and use of sunlight. The thick, rigid germanium layer is removed, reducing the cell's cost and 94% of its weight. By turning the conventional approach to cells on its head, the result is an ultra-light and flexible cell that also converts solar energy with record efficiency. The new cell is a natural candidate for use for powering spacecraft and on-board instruments, perhaps by being incorporated into the satellite's very skin or unfurling a solar array like an awning. This would eliminate the need for conventional wing-shaped solar arrays with heavy metal frames and balky mechanical controls. Those same qualities also will open new commercial uses for solar power on Earth, especially in the solar concentrator market. NREL's second R&D 100 award spotlights a new technology for manufacturing Hybrid CIGS, or thin film PV employing layers of copper indium gallium diselenide. Thin films may not achieve the outer limits of solar conversion efficiency enjoyed by crystalline silicon cells but their advantage is that they can be manufactured quickly and in large volumes using inks that cost a fraction of the cost of silicon. NREL developed a method in which the hybrid CIGS cells are manufactured in layers by using ink-jet and ultrasonic technology to precisely apply metal-organic inks in separate layers directly into common building materials such as metal and glass. This will allow solar panels to be integrated into the building architecture to turn entire buildings into clean energy power plants. NREL's partner, HelioVolt, has developed a proprietary processing system that quickly bonds the film layers under heat and pressure forming large-grain CIGS crystals. The process takes seconds to complete at substantially lower temperatures, whereas other solar cell manufacturing requires hours at temperatures 500-700 degrees Celsius higher as well as vacuum processing, evaporation and other capital intensive steps. In addition, earlier this year, R&D Magazine selected NREL’s Science and Technology Facility (S&TF) as one of the best laboratory facilities built in the U.S. in 2007. In the 42nd Laboratory of the Year competition, the S&TF was one of only two laboratories recognized as trendsetters in laboratory design and received the award for its unique sustainable design that reduces energy consumption by as much as 41 percent compared to similar facilities. The S&TF is a 71,000-square-foot research laboratory that was the first federal laboratory building to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum designation as one of the world’s most energy efficient and environmentally friendly buildings. When planning for the new S&TF building, MRI established a Blue Ribbon Construction Oversight Committee – comprised of MRI Trustees with significant experience in design and construction of similarly scaled facilities – to advise DOE and NREL staff on the project and facilitate its successful completion and achievement in energy and environmental design. The goal of making the building energy efficient was significant since laboratories use about 4 to 6 times more energy than a typical office building. Architectural features such as daylighting, evaporative cooling and efficient motors, fans, windows and lighting reduce the building’s energy requirements. GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner to Receive MRI Trustee Citation Award for Visionary Leadership in Sustainable Transportation MRI’s Trustee Citation Award is presented each year during its annual dinner meeting to a person who exemplifies leadership in science, business, academia or the arts. Previous recipients of MRI’s Trustee Citation Award have included distinguished individuals such as Margaret Thatcher, Henry Ford II, Larry Bossidy, Dr. Michael Nobel, and Dean Kamen. “Energy is no doubt one of the single most important and challenging issues around the world today and MRI is proud to honor Rick Wagoner for his long-term dedication and commitment to lead General Motors in producing more alternative fuel vehicles and significantly expanding the research and development for electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles,” said James L. Spigarelli, MRI’s President and CEO. “Through Rick’s leadership, GM is pushing the advancement of technology solutions into present day vehicles and has created the world’s largest test fleet of vehicles with hydrogen fuel cell propulsion technology on the road today,” Spigarelli said. “His commitment to sustainable transportation is protecting the environment, reducing dependence on petroleum and bringing the future of new fuel sources closer to reality.” MRI has an extensive history in research and development for renewable energy and energy efficiency having managed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the U.S. Department of Energy since 1977. The Institute fully recognizes the critical role that the automotive industry plays in the collaborative effort with academia, government and other industries in developing and advancing new technologies for alternative fuel sources. GM is targeting to design and experimentally prove a hydrogen fuel cell system that will ultimately compete on performance, durability and cost with today’s engine systems. To achieve their ultimate vision of a hydrogen economy and hydrogen fuel cell-based transportation, GM has invested over $1 billion along with the research and development efforts of over 700 GM scientists and engineers around the world. “GM’s commitment to aggressively advance hydrogen technology is important not only to the industry but to society overall,” Spigarelli added. “By way of the MRI Trustee Citation Award, we wish to publicly recognize and applaud Rick Wagoner for his leadership in this significant and revolutionary undertaking.” GM also is a leader in producing flexible fuel vehicles as part of its strategy to reduce vehicle emissions and dependency on petroleum. The company has invested in two next-generation biofuels startups this year -- Coskata and Mascoma. Taken together, these leaders in biothermal and biochemical technologies represent the best in the cellulosic ethanol future and cover the spectrum in science and commercialization potential. General Motors also is expanding its hybrid portfolio and recently received funding approval from its Board of Directors to produce the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle. In addition to receiving the MRI Trustee Citation Award, Wagoner will be the keynote speaker at MRI’s Annual Dinner that will be held on June 10 in Kansas City. “Leadership for a Sustainable Future” is the theme of the annual dinner that will include an audience of nearly 500 business, civic, government and academic leaders from throughout the Midwest and other parts of the country. Wagoner was elected GM chairman and chief executive officer on May 1, 2003. MRI Salute to Science Seminar Features: University of Kansas Studio 804 Architectural Project to Rebuild Greensburg Green “MRI has a rich history in energy and environmental research,” said James L. Spigarelli, President and CEO of Midwest Research Institute. “We are pleased to be a sponsor of Studio 804’s Greensburg initiative and to bring Professor Rockhill and members of his team to Kansas City to talk about their aggressive semester-long project while sharing their ideas for using sustainable design and build elements that may be incorporated in any home or business.” MRI’s Salute to Science seminar is free and open to the public. It will begin at 5:30 PM on May 13 at MRI’s Arthur Mag Conference Center located at 4920 Cherry Street, Kansas City, MO. Reservations are requested by calling MRI’s Communications staff at 816.360.5302. The 1,600 square-foot prefabricated building, designed and constructed by the Studio 804 students, is made from reclaimed lumber and other building materials from the Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant near Lawrence, Kansas, and features solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal heating, thermal massing and other Earth-friendly systems. It is designed as a house, so residents and visitors can see different methods of rebuilding green, and will be operated by a local non-profit group as an arts center and community building. Studio 804 has applied for LEED Platinum level certification for the building, the nation’s most rigorous standard for environmental sustainability. Greensburg has officially become the first city to adopt a resolution for city-owned buildings to be built to the LEED Platinum level. The team plans to complete the new arts center by May 4, in time for the community’s one-year observance of the devastating tornado. President Bush is scheduled to be in Greensburg that day to deliver the high school commencement address. MRI has provided additional assistance to the Greensburg community by supporting a team of nearly one dozen energy experts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory who, for the past 10 months, have been actively involved in helping community leaders achieve their vision to be a national energy leader. MRI has managed NREL for the U.S. Department of Energy since 1977. About Studio 804: Studio 804 is a design/build program at the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Urban Planning. As a final, single semester comprehensive experience, Studio 804 provides students with critical knowledge that prepares them for their future work as young architects in a rapidly changing and challenging profession. The vehicle used for this exhaustive experience is the design and development of an affordable building during which students explore and develop architectural solutions which promote efficiency, sustainability and creative use of materials. MRI Assists Boeing in Developing Effective Biological Detection System As a member of the Boeing team, MRI’s role was to design, manufacture, and test the payload for the bio-collection. Tests show that the UAVs can successfully collect airborne material and data from a target site that can help U.S. forces combat the threat from biological agents and minimize the danger to friendly forces and civilians. From early November 2007 to the end of January 2008, Boeing conducted developmental, shipboard integration and operational flight tests of the Biological Combat Assessment System (BCAS) as part of the BCAS Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) program in support of DTRA. Developmental testing was conducted in November 2007 at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. The shipboard integration testing was conducted at sea in early December 2007. And, in late January 2008, the final operational demonstration test was conducted from the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command 38 research vessel in the Gulf of Mexico. Coleman said these capabilities would enable U.S. forces to accurately perform, at safe distances, battle damage assessment of plume releases that result from counterforce strikes against facilities dedicated to the research, production and/or storage of biological warfare agents. During the developmental tests at Fort Leonard Wood and the operational tests in the Gulf of Mexico, two BCAS ScanEagle UAVs, one equipped with a biological collection system and the other equipped with sensors to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), flew tandem beyond-line-of-sight missions into and out of simulated counterforce strike target locations. They were to collect air samples within simulated biological plumes, which represented the collateral effects of counterforce strikes on weapons-of-mass-destruction research and production facilities, and bring back the samples for further analysis. In the final operational demonstration tests in late January, the two BCAS ScanEagles were launched at sea from the NAVAIR 38 ship, successfully intercepted seven of eight simulated biological plumes, then were successfully recovered aboard the ship and decontaminated. The tests were part of a two-year, Phase 1 contract awarded to Boeing Phantom Works by the BCAS Program Office of DTRA within the U.S. Department of Defense. Boeing and a team of U.S. bio-defense companies modified the ScanEagle UAVs to look for potential biological warfare agents for sample collection. The Boeing-led contractor team includes Midwest Research Institute of Kansas City, Mo.; Insitu of Bingen, Wash.; Applied Research Associates of Alexandria, Va.; and L-3 Communications of San Diego. Coloring KC Business Green - MRI joins Chamber’s “Climate Protection Partnership” The new Climate Protection Partnership, initiated by The Chamber’s Energy Policy Task Force, was formed for two reasons: first, as a response to growing environmental concerns and, secondly, because there is a tremendous concentration of energy-related businesses in the Kansas City region. “As manager of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy for more than thirty years, MRI has significant expertise in renewable energy and energy efficiency that will help to reduce greenhouse emissions,” said James L. Spigarelli, President and CEO of MRI. “We look forward to opportunities through the partnership to share our knowledge of new, innovative energy technologies.” “In addition, we are in the midst of a $25 million renovation of MRI’s Kansas City facility and have already incorporated a number of facility changes that will help us to reduce our carbon emissions and energy use,” Spigarelli added. “The Chamber’s role here is as a facilitator,” explained Chamber President Peter Levi. “Through mobilizing and educating our thousands of member businesses, we can potentially have quite an impact.” The goals of the Climate Protections Partnership are to reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions and to increase economic competitiveness. The partnership will also provide technical assistance and a forum where members can share best practices. The Partnership Founding Members are: |
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