Research leaders from eight Ohio universities joined Gov. Ted Strickland at a news conference today to launch a coordinated effort to make Ohio an international leader in advanced energy research and development.
The "Centers of Excellence" at the eight universities will have distinct missions to provide the innovation that will help strengthen "Ohio's position as a market leader in supplying the world's advanced energy economies," Strickland said. "That is important for a simple reason: when we grow these industries, we create jobs."
Among the aims of the centers will be to capitalize on existing areas of expertise in advance energy technologies at each university, to coordinate compatible academic and research efforts, and to avoid duplication of effort.
Eric Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents, said targeting areas of research in a coordinated approach will give the universities more ability to leverage grants from the federal and state governments and private entities.
"Ohio's universities are committed to driving economic growth in this state," Fingerhut said. "The Centers of Excellence in Advanced Energy announced today will create the technologies and innovations needed to make Ohio a global leader in an economy that requires a modern, cheap, and clean energy infrastructure."
The eight universities housing a center and the goals of each center:
- Bowling Green State University -- Become the leading center for Ohio in organic photovoltaics and other photonic materials.
- Case Western Reserve University -- Position the university's Great Lakes Energy Institute as a worldwide leader in renewable energy research, energy storage and energy efficiency.
- Central State University -- Continue research and instruction in improving water quality and environmental technology to help Ohio businesses grow.
- University of Cincinnati -- Improve the health and wealth of urban dwellers through the study of energy efficiency and sustainability.
- University of Dayton -- Developing alternative and more efficient conventional fuels for the aerospace industry.
- Ohio State University -- Bring a wide range of expertise to bear on developing advanced energy technologies, particularly in the study of climate change.
- Ohio University -- Develop existing strengths focusing on the delivery of energy and fuels, and in clean coal research and technology.
- University of Toledo -- Continue strong areas of research and technology development focused around solar, biomass energy, wind, and energy storage.
POSTED BY JOE HALLETT, SENIOR EDITOR ON OCTOBER 28, 2009 1:12 PM
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