This Partnerships for Innovation (PFI) project is a Type III (C: A) partnership between the College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering (CNSE) at University of Albany, State University of New York (UAlbany), an institution new to the PFI Program (defined as one that has never been a PFI grantee), and Marist College (Poughkeepsie, NY), an NSF PFI graduated grantee (0438561). This Collaboration for Leveraging Energy and Nanotechnology (CLEAN) focuses on specific efforts that include: 1) fostering of extensive information exchange amongst industry, university, and government stakeholders; 2) expanding knowledge transfer through the Nanotech Innovation in Renewable Energy (NIRE) efforts; and 3) creating a workforce development program based on industry needs. These activities, managed by the Energy and Environmental Technology Application Center (E2TAC) at CNSE, accelerate the integration of nanotechnology in alternative energy technologies among businesses located in the Tech Valley Region of Upstate New York. Drawing on cutting edge research in nanotechnology and the capability of many of the nation's leading advanced energy technology businesses that utilize nanotechnology, the project provides increased organization and coordination that is needed to share and communicate the industry's most pressing needs to academia and to transfer the most appropriate technologies from academia to industry.
Through its outreach and Energy Innovation Camp, the project will present to the public and key stakeholders from legislators to high school students the importance, challenges, and opportunities of developing clean energy technologies. Through its Energy Test Farm, the project will provide an opportunity for workforce training and education by facilitating competency to develop, install, maintain, and service high tech energy related equipment such as solar cells, fuel cells, and energy efficiency devices through established training programs. The ability to provide this expertise to manufacturing and end-user organizations will serve to accelerate deployment of these new technologies. The project leverages significant physical and research infrastructure that is in place at CNSE to grow the regional economy. By 2015, New York's target is to supply 45 percent of its electricity needs through improved energy efficiency and clean renewable energy. Within the rich context of nanotechnology education and outreach at CNSE, this project focuses on applying nanotechnology to "clean energy related applications" and in so doing, it has the potential to make major contributions to New York's "45 by 15" program, one of the most aggressive and ambitious clean energy goals in the nation.
Partners at the inception of the project are Academic Institutions: College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) at UAlbany (lead institution) and Marist College; Private Sector Organizations: New Energy New York (NENY), Arsenal Business and Technology Partnership, Center for Economic Growth; and State and Local Government Organizations: Empire State Development (ESD), New York State Foundation for Science Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR), New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and Saratoga Technology + Energy Park (STEP).
Creation of a National Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium Outcome: The Department of Energy (DOE) awarded $57.5 million in April 2011 to the College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering (CNSE) and its partners to create the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC). Impact/Benefit: The PVMC will increase the United States’ share of the photovoltaic technology and products market, and create thousands of jobs over the next decade. Explanation: CNSE leveraged its NSF PFI-supported Collaboration for Leveraging Energy And Nanotechnology (CLEAN) program funding and expertise in bringing together organizations to secure a grant from National Grid’s Strategic Economic Development Program. The funding received assisted in marketing and expanding photovoltaic technology in the Capital Region through the establishment of a PV technology manufacturing consortium, specifically focused on next generation thin film solar technology. Through the National Grid program, which leveraged CLEAN funding, CNSE held meetings, workshops and conferences regionally, nationally and even internationally to attract partners to the consortium (6 alone internationally across Europe and Asia). In addition, CNSE developed marketing collateral and outreach programs to disseminate to further areas and organizations of interest. These initial meetings, workshops and conferences laid the groundwork to develop the current Department of Energy (DOE)-sponsored U.S. photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (PVMC) based in Albany, NY, featuring over 80 national and international companies focused on developing and deploying next generation photovoltaic technologies. But for its demonstrated success in managing programs for institutions such as the National Science Foundation, and the facilities and expertise at CNSE, highlighted and maintained through programs such as CLEAN program, larger-scale funding would likely not materialize, such as the initial investment that would lead to the eventual $57.5M DOE funding to establish the PVMC. Developing an Innovative Workforce to Tackle Tomorrow’s Energy Needs Outcome: Since its inception in March 2010, the Energy Innovation Camp, an initiative of the PFI program CLEAN, has provided hands-on learning and experimental activities to over 1,000 K-12 students annually around New York State. Impact/Benefit: With a focus on female, at-risk, and minority groups, CLEAN has worked to make the STEM areas (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fun and approachable to students that have historically had low representation in STEM-based careers. Explanation: According to the U.S. Department of Labor, only 5% of U.S. workers are employed in fields related to science and engineering, yet they are responsible for more than 50% of our sustained economic expansion. The need for skilled workers in this area is expected to only become more acute over time. The CLEAN program has developed new and unique approaches to increase student interest and interaction in STEM areas. Through classroom work, designed with local high schools, and hands-on laboratory activities at the CNSE’s Albany NanoTech Complex, students explore the promise and potential of nanotechnology to enable advanced technologies that will positively impact fields ranging from electronics, energy and the environment to health care, military and information technology, among many others. Throughout the year, students engage in a variety of hands-on activities that utilized CNSE’s state-of-the-art laboratories and world-class cleanrooms, exploring integrated circuit technologies through nanoscale patterning and fabrication; nanobiomedical applications, including innovations in nanomedicine; clean energy technologies, such as solar cells, fuel cells, and ultracapacitors for energy storage; and nanoeconomics. Schools that have participated in previous years return again and again, signifying the valuable impact of the CLEAN program on its students. Most schools would return multiple times per year, but CNSE has had to implement a rotation system to ensure a fair representation of all interested schools. Many of the participating schools represented large female, disadvantaged, or minority student populations. Creating a Living Laboratory for Students and Researchers Outcome: CNSE, through its CLEAN program, and in conjunction with partners, has developed, installed and established a state-of-the-art control and monitoring system: The Photovoltaic Energy Monitoring & Control Center (PV emc2). Impact/Benefit: The PV emc2 currently monitors ~100 kW of grid-connected photovoltaic renewable power generation systems at CNSE. The Center is a key regional asset, and serves to enhance and optimize additional PV installations in New York State. In addition, the demonstration facilities serve as a living laboratory to train new undergraduate and graduate students to perform research and enable technology transfer to industry. Explanation: The PV emc2 provides information and analysis tools to evaluate the merits of building-integrated or roof-mounted solar photovoltaic products, especially as it relates to New York’s climate and environmental conditions. The PV emc2 can determine subtle changes in the different arrays, including reliability and device failure mechanisms. The PV emc2 living laboratory assists scientists and students to have a better understanding of the modules and methods for improvement. The PV emc2 program was created in collaboration with renewable energy technology partners: National Grid, Real Goods Solar, Clevenstine Engineering, and Arket Electric.
