National Science Foundation awards Industry/University Cooperative Research Center (I/U CRC) grant to HNEI, focused on Bioenergy

The Center for BioEnergy Research and Development is a consortium of six universities (South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota State University, Kansas State University, State University of New York Stony Brook, North Carolina State University, and University of Hawaii) funded by the NSF I/U CRC program. Each member of the consortium has also secured cost-shared participation by industrial members as required by the I/U CRC program. For more information on the membership or programs contact Scott Turn.

HNEI awarded $5 million to establish Marine Renewable Energy Center

HNEI was selected by the US Department of Energy to establish one of two National Marine Renewable Energy Centers. The grant will be for about $1 million/year for up to 5 years. The project will involve research and development of technologies that harness the power of waves and ocean thermal energy conversion. For more information see the Press Release from Senator Akaka's Office. Contact Rick Rocheleau for more information.

NSF funds HNEI charcoal fuel cell research!

HNEI has received a National Science Foundation grant to support its development of a fuel cell that consumes charcoal and directly generates electrical power. This biocarbon fuel cell has the potential to achieve 100% efficiency! Read more about the biocarbon fuel cell...

HNEI graduate assistant wins ARCS award

The Honolulu chapter of the Achievement Rewards for College Scientist (ARCS), Inc., recently presented 24 awards to UH graduate students. The Robbins Award in Solar Energy Research was won by HNEI's Jess Kaneshiro for his work on novel thin-film energy conversion devices. See the Honolulu Advertiser article. Contact Jess Kaneshiro for more information.

HNEI team wins $7 million DOE energy modernization project

UH’s Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, in cooperation with General Electric, Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., Maui Electric Company, Columbus Electric Cooperative, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Sentech, and UPC Wind, will explore the management of distribution system resources for improved service quality and reliability, transmission congestion relief, and grid support functions. The 3-year project will be deployed at the Maui Lani Substation on Maui and will also involve $8 million in non-federal funding. See the State of Hawaii news release. Contact Terry Surles or Rick Rocheleau for more information.

HNEI partners with mainland company to win DOE Small Business Innovation Research grant for biodiesel production

HNEI's Dr. Michael Cooney has partnered with Community Fuel's Chris Guay to investigate the heterotrophic production of biodiesel from yeast and microalgae (see photo of Chlorella prototheocoides microalgae on the right). In addition to culture techniques, Dr Cooney and Guay are interested in novel solvent technologies for the direct transesterification of biodiesel from microbial cells. Contact Michael Cooney for more information.

HNEI team shares in a $4 million Multi-University Research Initiative project

HNEI's enzymatic bio-fuel cell team led by Drs. Cooney and Liaw is participating in this recently awarded DOD Air Force project led by the University of New Mexico. The enzymatic bio-fuel cell program is also supported by ONR HEET funds as well as a DCI Postdoctoral Fellow Research Program award, in which a prestigious postdoctoral fellow position is now available. Potential candidates wishing to apply should visit this site: http://www.hnei.hawaii.edu/employ.asp?view=vacancy, or Contact Drs. Cooney cooney@hawaii.edu or Liaw bliaw@hawaii.edu for more information.