News Release

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December 2, 2005

Boise State Receives $500,000 in Federal Funds for Wind Energy Research

Boise State University is the recipient of a $500,000 appropriation from the U.S. Department of Energy to fund wind energy research in Idaho.

The funds, earmarked as part of the 2006 Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, will enable the university to develop new technologies aimed at reducing the costs of producing electricity on wind farms and at distributed locations, said John Gardner, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the College of Engineering at Boise State.

“The goal is to develop new technologies to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel while also contributing to the development of a local wind energy economic cluster,” said Gardner, who will head the new program.

Idaho Sen. Larry Craig was instrumental in securing the federal funding. “We appreciate the senator’s leadership as well as the support of the rest of our congressional delegation for this important research,” Gardner said. “By developing sustainable, distributed energy sources, we can reduce greenhouse gases, improve local economies and even increase energy independence.”

Craig said he was excited about the many opportunities provided to the nation and Idaho by this legislation. “The benefits include increased energy independence and homeland security, economic development, and cutting edge research and education in southwest Idaho,” Craig said.

Boise State will partner with The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, The Idaho National Laboratory, the Idaho Department of Water Resources, and other public and private agencies on the Wind Energy Research Laboratory, Gardner said. The initial $500,000 appropriation will be used to fund post-doctoral research positions and provide fellowships for graduate students.

Southwest Idaho’s wind resources are consistent with the strategic research goals set by the DOE, Gardner added. The focal point of the laboratory will be the research and development of wind turbines that would harness the area’s low-velocity winds for distributed power systems.

“There is very little research being conducted anywhere that focuses on wind energy technologies for areas that have lower-velocity winds,” Gardner said. “There is a great deal of potential here to develop a research facility with unique capabilities in Southwest Idaho that will support economic growth in this area.”

Boise State researchers have laid the groundwork for the new wind energy program through research projects, consultations and partnerships with wind energy businesses over the past few years, Gardner said. The new laboratory will provide opportunities for continued collaborations, he said, and will benefit Boise State engineering students who will have the opportunity to conduct hands-on research.

Todd Haynes, a Boise State graduate student in mechanical engineering, said he is looking forward to conducting research as part of the new laboratory. “We have been conducting wind energy research at Boise State for several years, and I am excited about the expanded opportunities provided by this additional funding,” Haynes said.

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Contact: John Gardner, Department of Mechanical Engineering, (208) 426-5702, cell phone (208) 867-2570, jgardner@boisestate.edu 
Media Contact: Janelle Brown, Communications, (208) 426-1790, jbrown2@boisestate.edu



 

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Last reviewed on Wednesday, February 01, 2006