Washington, DC – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that consortia led by the University of Michigan and West Virginia University will receive a total of $25 million over the next five years under the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center (CERC). The funding, which will be matched by the grantees to support at least $50 million in total projects, will facilitate joint research and development of clean energy technologies between the United States and China. The University of Michigan’s award will advance technologies for clean vehicles, while West Virginia University will use its funding to focus on the next generation of clean coal technologies. The universities will each lead a consortium of public and private research institutions and will partner with Chinese counterparts, who will receive $50 million in funding from Chinese entities.
“The U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center will help accelerate the development and deployment of clean vehicle and clean coal technologies here at home,” said Secretary Chu. “This new partnership will also create new export opportunities for American companies, ensure the United States remains at the forefront of technology innovation, and help to reduce global carbon pollution.”
“The University of Michigan is the perfect choice to advance technologies for clean vehicles,” Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said. “As part of the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center, the university will build on the state’s leadership in advanced battery manufacturing and electric vehicle technology and help to advance this important sector.”
“This funding is a clear sign that Michigan’s research, educational and industrial institutions are and will continue to be at the forefront of clean vehicle technologies,” said Senator Carl Levin. “This funding boosts research that will further advance the nation’s goals in clean energy manufacturing and it will help secure Michigan as the world leader in clean energy vehicles, helping to bring jobs and long-term investment to our state.”
“This investment will help give our American auto industry the tools to create the clean-energy vehicles of tomorrow,” said Senator Debbie Stabenow. “The University of Michigan was a natural choice for this effort because of their leadership in advanced technology innovation. Combining Michigan’s academic expertise with our manufacturing know-how will help create opportunities for Michigan companies to export new products, increase sales, and create new jobs.”
“The Department of Energy is making a wise investment today,” Congressman John Dingell said. “The University of Michigan is a world leader in energy research and will be a credit to the Department of Energy and the United States. Strong investments in advanced technologies for clean vehicles will not only help us deal with issues like climate change, but will lead to numerous export opportunities for our manufacturers right here at home. Investments like this will ensure the United States remains on the cutting edge of energy technology - and we can afford no less.”
President Obama and President Hu Jintao formally announced the establishment of the CERC during the President’s trip to Beijing last November. At the time, Secretary Chu joined Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang and Chinese National Energy Administrator Zhang Guobao to sign the protocol launching the Center. As the world’s top energy consumers, energy producers and greenhouse gas emitters, the U.S. and China will play central roles in the world’s transition to a clean energy economy in the years ahead.
Details of the two winning consortia are as follows:
Clean Coal: The West Virginia University will lead a consortium that includes the University of Wyoming, University of Kentucky, Indiana University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Energy Technology Laboratory, World Resources Institute, U.S.-China Clean Energy Forum, General Electric, Duke Energy, LP Amina, Babcock & Wilcox and American Electric Power. The consortium will develop and test new technologies for carbon capture and sequestration.
Clean Vehicles: The University of Michigan will lead a consortium that includes Ohio State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sandia National Laboratories, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Oak Ridge National Laboratories, General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Chrysler, Cummins, Fraunhofer, MAGNET, A123, American Electric Power, First Energy and the Transportation Research Center. The consortium will focus on vehicle electrification.
The $25 million in U.S. government funding will be used to support work conducted by U.S. institutions and individuals only, and will be matched by the grantees to support at least $50 million in total. Fifty million dollars in Chinese funding will support Chinese researchers and institutions that will collaborate closely with today’s award winners and their partners. Chinese partners will be announced in the coming months by the Chinese government.
The announcement of another $12.5 million to a third winning consortium focused on building energy efficiency will be made this fall.
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