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.
$1.1 billion in grant applications — More than $40 million won so far
Federal funding for energy-related projects has exploded, providing Utah opportunities to leverage existing strengths and create jobs in the new energy economy. Through the end of 2009, USTAR’s Technology Outreach team coordinated and supported $1.1 billion in grant applications, for USTAR and non-USTAR entities. Utah-supported applicants have won more than $40 million in new research funding so far, with an additional $450 million pending.
400% increase in federal alternative energy research funding (billions)
New technology to improve geothermal production
One project assisted by USTAR and funded through new federal funds will test technology to dramatically improve the output at geothermal power plants in Utah and throughout the intermountain west. University of Utah Energy and Geoscience Institute (EGI) researchers are leading a 5-year project at the Raft River power plant in Idaho. The team will pump water, at high-pressures, deep under the ground to create fractures in hot rock. Once these fractures are created, greater amounts of water and steam can injected into the wells, improving production.
Raft River geothermal project
Much of the Uintah Basin’s oil is a “high paraffin” crude, called Black Wax. Most of this crude is transported on trucks to Salt Lake-area refineries. Problems with the transportation and processing of Black Wax have been known for years. Transporting most of the Basin’s Black Wax by pipeline would reduce large truck traffic from the Basin, lowering transportation infrastructure costs and reducing carbon emissions.
With the assistance of Utah State University’s Bingham Entrepreneurship and Energy Research Center, the U of U’s Dept. of Chemical Engineering, and other stakeholders, USTAR is coordinating a comprehensive evaluation of technical solutions. Solving this issue could bring new business to the Basin.
Impact: Energy research funding secured in 2009 will create an estimated 760 new jobs in Utah.
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
