The Energy Institute's leadership and participation in national and international initiatives advances technology development, environmental sustainability, and the economic competitiveness of coal for power generation and other uses in the energy, industrial and public sectors.
GLOBAL OUTREACH
Global Outreach is international in scope and includes bilateral academic and
research programs, information exchange through conferences and workshops, executive
training, cultural exchange and economic development initiatives.
Major initiatives in Global Outreach are conducted under the US-China Energy Center. Similar relationships are also being pursued with other countries.
- Academic Programs: Liaison between WVU academic departments/colleges and
Chinese institutions to establish exchange programs whereby students can earn
academic course credits or academic degrees; faculty exchange programs such as
visiting scholars or guest lecture assignments at partnering institutions to
teach courses for academic credit; student exchange programs for increasing academic
and cultural awareness of students regarding other countries
- Research Programs: Collaborative research programs between WVU and Chinese
industries and/or academic institutions on topics of mutual interest; facilitation
of personnel exchanges and technical presentations by visiting scientists/engineers
- Training Programs: Facilitation of extended workshop programs between industrial
or academic personnel from other countries and WVU resource personnel on technology
and business topics of mutual interest
- Conferences: Facilitation or hosting of conferences and meetings involving
government, industry and/or academic technologists on coal and environmental
topics; leadership role in the International Higher Education Alliance for Mining-Energy
and Environment hosted by China University of Mining and Technology – Xuzhou
- Cultural Exchange Activities: Promote sister city and sister state relationships
with entities like the cities of Morgantown/WV – Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province and
West Virginia – Shanxi Province, PRC
- Business Development: Contribute to business development initiatives for the State of West Virginia in areas where WVU can provide expertise in technology development or cultural relationships
COLLABORATIVE ENERGY PROGRAMS
Collaborative Energy Programs pursue multi-partner energy initiatives addressing
national energy needs that are mainly coal-based and involve joint programs with
university, government, industry and private organizations.
West Virginia University is highly regarded for its contributions to major national coal and natural gas initiatives. These activities include participation in the program activities of national organizations and the development of new initiatives for advancing energy technologies. Examples of current activities include the following.
- Carbon Utilization Research Council (CURC) – development of national technology
road map for coal and natural gas use in electric power generation
- National Coal Council (NCC) – volunteer organization that advises the US Department
of Energy Secretary on technology status of major coal programs through the drafting
of major reports on technology areas
- Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA) – a national consortium
that manages research and technology transfer programs for deep-water offshore
and unconventional onshore applications of interest to industry
- International Pittsburgh Coal Conference (PCC) – advisory role in the presentation
of an annual technology conference on mining and power generation and other
uses of coal and natural gas that features international participation and the
hosting of meetings in other countries
- University Consortium for Fossil Energy Research (UCFER) – a program advancing basic
and applied fossil energy research through mechanisms that promote collaboration
among the U.S. Department of Energy and member universities by
coordinating research and data sharing. Research focuses on coal, natural gas and
oil. Program updates and announcements can be found
here.
- Collaboratory Programs with National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) – participation
in major initiatives with NETL in technology exchanges (NETL-CURC-EPRI technical
meetings) and other energy initiatives involving WVU and NETL researchers
- Strategic Program Development – collaboration with other national and international
organizations in new initiatives to promote the continued use of coal in our
national energy mix through the development of advanced technologies that are
environmentally sustainable
- Advocacy – participation in national initiatives to promote continued use of coal through:
- contributions to congressional testimony on coal technology submitted by major organizations;
- participation in publicly-attended meetings for congressional staff and public sector personnel through educational pro grams such as the Washington Coal Club periodic seminars on coal technology;
- and annual recognition of the contributions of leaders in technology development
or congressional support for coal programs
Contact Richard Bajura for more information.