BENJAMIN FINKELOR    UC-Davis

University of California, Davis, has launched the first university center to focus exclusively on energy efficiency. Boosted by a $1 million grant from the California Clean Energy Fund, UC-Davis started the Energy Efficiency Center last year.

Pacific Gas & Electric has pledged $500,000 over the next five years for start-up needs such as fellowships and a major conference that will convene energy-efficiency experts from all over the world.

“The Energy Efficiency Center’s goal is to get energy-efficiency technology out of the research stage and into the market,” explained UC-Davis Program Manager Benjamin Finkelor, who presented information about this new organization at CEE’s Jan. 18 program meeting.

Starting at the foundation of the educational system, the center is aiming to groom a new generation of professionals to develop successful business models for delivering energy efficiency. According to the UC-Davis Web site, “universities across the nation have paid relatively little attention to energy efficiency in any of its dimensions, ranging from technology development to building design to institutional barriers.”

The director of the Energy Efficiency Center is Andy Hargadon, whose background includes not only engineering but management and business.

Focusing on “technology transfer,” the center will develop profitable business strategies and identify investors and customers. Initially work will concentrate ion three areas: buildings, transportation, and agriculture and food processing.

“We’d love to engage external partners,” Finkelor said. “We are looking for technologies that need help getting on track.”

Members can get involved o n several different levels. They can participate in the actual technology development, monitor activities of the Energy Efficiency Center and/or submit projects for development. Members can also help commercialize emerging technologies by running pilot programs and putting together case studies.

For further information, contact Benjamin Finkelor at 503-752-7659.

[ back to top ]