USTAR is publishing a new kind of annual report, one that’s in “bite-sized” pieces you might have time to read. We’ll be adding chapters over the next few weeks. Today’s edition covers the USTAR Technology Outreach and Innovation Program.
New Energy Dynamics Laboratory having statewide impact
With the help of $500,000 in USTAR funding last fall, Utah State University formed a new unit of the Utah State University Research Foundation (USURF), called the Energy Dynamics Lab (EDL). The initiative is already demonstrating an impact, pursuing a water quality/biofuels project in Logan, a sustainability study in Park City, and commercialization projects in Southern and Eastern Utah. EDL is aggressively pursuing federal energy funding.
EDL and the USU Jon M. Huntsman School of Business are conducting an energy feasibility study that will serve as a guide as the City of Park City works to reach major milestones for environmental sustainability and alternative energy.
Cleaner water, sustainable energy, lower costs
The USU Biofuels Center conducted USTAR-funded research at the City of Logan’s wastewater lagoons and showed that high oil-producing algae could be used to remove phosphorous and produce biofuels. If not checked, phosphorous discharged into streams can have devastating effects on downstream ecosystems, raising municipal infrastructure and ratepayer costs.
EDL is leading a multi-functional team to develop a wastewater remediation system. The pilot facility could lower costs for Logan residents and validate a commercial application that targets more than 16,000 municipal wastewater lagoons nationwide.
Algae "raceway" in Logan
Building on a successful model
EDL’s approach follows the model USU has successfully deployed for decades with USURF’s renowned Space Dynamics Lab. An outgrowth of USU’s USTAR research in biofuels and advanced sensing and imaging, the Energy Dynamics Lab (EDL) focuses applied research, development, design and implementation of renewable energy and environmental solutions for government and commercial customers.
While USTAR teams focus on early stage research, EDL takes it one step further by creating larger-scale prototypes and methods to implement the technologies that come from USTAR research.
Impact: USU is leveraging advanced USTAR research with existing institutional strengths.
USTAR focus areas:
- Diversify Utah’s economy with high quality jobs
- Build Utah’s innovation infrastructure
- Recruit & grow world-class research talent
- Commercialize technology and promote innovative
A pdf version of this report is here.
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on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 4:08 pm and is filed under Annual Report, Default.
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