Searching for Solutions  

NREL's mission is to increase the public’s knowledge, understanding, and adaptation of renewable energy and energy efficiency through technology deployment and research linked to market opportunities.  The Lab is working provide a vision for a sustainable energy system that can replace fossil fuels when they run out - essential research, considering that the United State’s oil production peaked in 1971 and the world’s peak is predicted to take place in the near future.

Demonstrations of educational activities and laboratory exercises were part of the conference activities: Pictured on the right, in the foreground, is Dr. John A. Turner – Principal Scientist on NREL's hydrogen fuel cell technology research - with Talcott Mountain Science Center's Jonathon Craig and Angela Perondi-Pitel of the Clean Energy Fund (Photo: K. Jakubowski)

The NREL staff provided attending Collaborative members in-depth information on new developments and current technologies in solar, biomass, hydrogen, and wind energy that will be viable options at $3.00 per gallon oil prices. 

Biomass, for example, is an abundant, renewable, sustainable, source of carbon, which can be converted into liquid or gaseous forms to produce fuel for cars, heat for homes, and electric power.  We produce 1.3 billion tons of biomass in the United States.  Thirty percent of this could be used as a source of fuel for vehicles by the year 2030.

Then there's wind power: researchers working with wind energy stated that it is one of the fastest growing electricity-generating technologies in the world.  The United States has enough on and offshore wind energy resources to meet the electrical needs of the entire country.

As for the solar scientists, they have determined that a 5,000 square mile photovoltaic power plant would be able to meet the total annual electric demand of the United States.

Dr. Larry Kazmerski, a scientist working on research and development in photovoltaic energy systems, shares his work and NREL's educational materials around it. (Photo: K. Jakubowski)

In addition to meeting with scientists, Collaborative representatives also discussed curriculum and education tools with NREL educators and viewed their exhibits on clean energy.  The information obtained during this tour will be utilized to develop educational tools and programs on clean energy for Connecticut ’s science centers.  The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund has awarded the Collaborative $325,000 to test and evaluate existing programs and products to determine what is effective and then adapt the best of what it finds for use by science centers throughout the state.