PennState Wins $2.5M for Energy Research

from the inbox:

A Pennsylvania based project has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive $2.9 million for a research project that aims to dramatically improve how the U.S. uses energy. In an announcement made today by Secretary Steven Chu, the DOE – through the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) – is awarding a total of $92 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to 43 cutting-edge projects that focus on accelerating innovation in green technology while increasing America's competitiveness in grid scale energy storage, power electronics and energy efficient cooling systems.

“These innovative ideas will play a critical role in our energy security and economic growth,” said Secretary Chu. “It is now more important than ever to invest in a new, clean energy economy.”

The Pennsylvania based project selected for an award today:

The Pennsylvania State University (State College, PA) Gas Cycles: One-ton (3.5 kW thermal) Thermoacoustic Air Conditioner: This project will scale up an existing thermoacoustic chiller system to produce an air conditioning unit that recycles sound for cooling. It will use no exotic materials that increase cost or reciprocating seals that limit service life. DOE award: $2,988,720

In total, the projects announced today are based in 18 states, with 36% of projects led by universities, 33% by small businesses, 24% by large businesses, 5% by national labs, and 2% by non-profits. These awards complete ARPA-E’s grants under its Recovery Act funding: in three rounds of awards since last year, the agency has selected a total of 117 projects for $349 million in funding, supporting research that can deliver breakthrough changes in how the U.S. generates, stores, and utilizes energy.

View the project selections announced today.

View technical descriptions for the projects announced today.

ARPA-E received 529 initial concept papers and encouraged approximately 164 applicants to submit full applications. Multiple review panels composed of leading U.S. science and technology experts reviewed each proposal and made recommendations based on scientific and technical merit and the potential to dramatically advance national energy and economic goals. Potential additional applications for funding innovative research projects are pending further review.

To learn more about ARPA-E and previous awards, visit arpa-e.energy.gov.