Stanford launches $100 million initiative to tackle energy issues

Stanford launches $100 million initiative to tackle energy issues
Stanford Report, January 12, 2009

Recognizing that energy is at the heart of many of the world's tribulations—economic, environmental and political—Stanford is establishing a $100 million research institute to focus intently on energy issues, President John Hennessy announced today. The $100 million in new funds will enable the hiring of additional faculty and support new graduate students, in addition to the more than $30 million in yearly funding now spent on energy research.
The new Precourt Institute for Energy will draw on deep scientific expertise from across the campus and around the world. From the minuscule—materials scientists prying loose more electricity from sunshine through more efficient photovoltaic cells—to the national effort to develop sustainable energy and the global search for ways to reduce atmospheric levels of carbon, the new institute will be at the forefront.
The institute is being brought to life through the generosity of donors, led by founding donors Jay Precourt and the husband-and-wife team of Thomas Steyer and Kat Taylor. Precourt is an energy executive; Steyer is a Stanford trustee and managing partner of Farallon Capital Management, and Taylor is active in a variety of public benefit and philanthropic ventures. They are all Stanford alumni.

The Precourt Institute for Energy Efficiency

PIEE was founded in October 2006 at Stanford University by a generous gift from Stanford Alumnus Jay Precourt.
As a Stanford University research institute, PIEE draws upon intellectual resources from the entire university. At the core of the Precourt Institute is an increasing number of faculty-led research teams including graduate and undergraduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Research teams include researchers and analysts from across the university, bringing expertise from many different disciplines.

What is the Precourt Institute's mission?
The mission of the Precourt Institute is to promote energy efficient technologies, systems, and practices, emphasizing economically attractive deployment. PIEE works to understand and overcome market, policy, technology, and human behavioral barriers to economically efficient reductions of energy use and to inform public and private policymaking. Energy Efficiency is vital for the U.S. and world economy, for environmental protection, and for energy security.

ManagEnergy is an initiative of the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, which aims to support the work of actors working on energy efficiency and renewable energies at the local and regional level. The main tools are training, workshops and online events. Additionally information is provided on case studies, good practice, European legislation and programmes.
This website includes a partner search system with some 4000 organisations, including 380 energy agencies, which can provide valuable expertise and partnerships on energy activities at local and regional levels. You are most welcome to register for the ManagEnergy Initiative including the monthly newsletter.

International / Middle East
Gulf Oil States Seeking a Lead in Clean Energy
By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL - Published: January 13, 2009 (Nes York Times Permalink)
Well aware of the limits of oil, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are aggressively pouring billions of dollars into green technologies.