MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR
nergy
is the vital force powering business, manufacturing and the transportation
of goods and services to serve the United States and world economies.
Energy supply and demand plays an increasingly vital role in our national
security and economic output.
In fall 2005, engineering physics faculty interested
in energy issues led informal discussions with faculty across the campus
on how to better collaborate in educational and research activities,
build synergy, and enable UW-Madison to be better recognized for itsenergy
education and research. This “Energy
Institute” grew in size, with other faculty members joining
us from across campus. An organizing committee from this larger group
met with UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley to discuss our interests and
intentions, and formalize our activities.
UW-Madison was among the first research universities
to recognize the growing importance of energy. With centers of excellence
that focus on understanding energy resources, energy conversion and
storage technologies, energy sustainability, and enabling technologies
such as materials, UW-Madison is one of the world leaders in energy
education and research. Each year, it ranks among the top university
recipients of federal and industrial research funding.
UW-Madison energy research activities are interdisciplinary
in nature and involve faculty, researchers and students in engineering,
chemistry, geology, mathematics and physics, as well as those in the
university’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, the LaFollette
School of Public Affairs, and the School of Business.
To support its energy research initiatives,
UW-Madison initiated the Energy Systems and Policy cluster hire program
in 2000. Two faculty members, Assistant Professors Paul
Wilson (engineering physics) and Tracey
Holloway (Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies) were hired
under this initiative. As they establish a core of energy research in
their respective disciplines, they provide a broad and cohesive base
to these activities. They and other UW-Madison faculty members are the
catalysts for interdisciplinary research activities and for keeping
energy policy issues and educational opportunities at the forefront
of UW-Madison’s strategic activities.
The Energy Institute at UW-Madison officially
began in spring 2006. Its mission is to provide an objective forum for
exchange of ideas on energy issues, and to focus, integrate and transfer
knowledge to better understand challenges and identify needs in energy
resources, technology and sustainability.
Our vision is to enhance and maintain Wisconsin’s
national leadership in identifying strategies for clean, efficient energy
as a vehicle for continued economic growth for the state and the nation.
To accomplish that vision, the Institute will coordinate and collaborate
with academic departments and research centers at UW-Madison to provide
a “one-stop” location to learn about energy issues and current
research results, and to benefit from energy technology transfer.
The UW Energy Institute objectives focus on integration
and collaboration to:
• Provide an objective forum on energy issues
in the state, the nation and beyond;
• Develop innovative energy outreach and service
programs;
• Organize educational opportunities in energy
fields at UW-Madison;
• Develop cross-disciplinary research among
UW-Madison research centers;
• Seek national and international collaborations
and cooperation.
We invite you to follow the growth of the activities
of the Energy Institute at its website: www.energy.wisc.edu.
Michael
L. Corradini, Chair
147 Engineering Research Building
1500 Engineering Dr.
Madison, WI 53706-1687
Tel: 608/263-1646
Fax: 608/263-7451
E-mail:
corradini@engr.wisc.edu
