Center for Energy, University of Pittsburgh

Rising to the energy challenge and
positioning our region for the future.

Energy Delivery and Reliability

An important component to advances in energy technologies will be necessary improvements in the entire chain of electric power generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization. This includes the reliability of power and energy systems (fossil, nuclear, and renewable), together with the development and implementation of smart grid systems, advanced power electronics technologies, and renewable energy integration.,

Links to specific projects and researchers »

Biofuels Analysis

Pitt researchers are evaluating whether marginal lands such as brownfields have the potential to provide biofuel crops that will be sustainable and not reuptake chemicals from the soil. Researchers are also evaluating the implementation of biodiesel for a select fleet of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the potential impacts as Pennsylvania goes statewide with biodiesel. Researchers in this area also evaluate environmental impacts of next generation biofuels, including algae to produce biodiesel and cellulose to produce ethanol.

Smart Insulation

Improving the energy efficiency of buildings has been one of the main focuses in recent years for lowering energy consumption and carbon emissions in both the US and worldwide. While improving conventional passive insulation can help to improve a building's energy efficiency, it has been shown that “smart” insulation (insulation that can be switched between insulating and conducting states) can show better performance by enabling the building to take advantage of external heat or cooling sources under certain conditions. Researchers at Pitt are developing smart insulation devices that can change their thermal conductivity states on command with an eye toward future application in green buildings. Smart insulation research at Pitt also investigates the environmental and economic benefits associated with insulating concrete forms, which includes an environmental life-cycle assessment, costs of insulating concrete forms, environmental metrics and benchmarks, recommended process improvements and third-party validation of results.

Smart Grid

As America's new energy economy emerges, a key area of development known as the smart grid is beginning to revolutionize the electric power sector and related industries. The smart grid paradigm offers tremendous opportunities for both workforce and technology development, leading to job creation, economic growth, and innovation. The smart grid can be defined as the implementation of various enabling power system automation, communication, protection and control technologies that allow real-time interoperability between end-users and energy producers, in order to enhance efficiency in utilization decision-making based on energy resource availability and economics. Within this broad definition, everything from improved energy efficiency in buildings to effective expansion of transportation electrification to the integration of higher penetration levels of clean energy resources, energy storage development and advances in power transmission and distribution system control will be enhanced through effective smart grid implementation. The Pitt electric power research group is engaged in all of these areas of the smart grid through funding and other collaborations with industry partners, as well as government constituents.