Our economic future, quality of life and the environment depend on affordable and sustainable energy.
The Cockrell School of Engineering is a major participant in UT's Energy Institute to lead discovery, innovation, commercialization and education in the energy arena. The Energy Institute focuses on overcoming the "deal breakers" in making the transition to our energy future, and the Cockrell School has many strengths and is providing leadership in this effort.
One important area is in the exploration and use of unconventional natural gas as a transition fuel, the cleanest and lowest CO2 impact hydrocarbon fuel. Another deal breaker is carbon management, in which breakthroughs in scaling CO2 capture and storage are needed.
The alternative to cleaner hydrocarbons and carbon management will be the increased use of alternative energy sources, where we focus on several possibilities. One example is converting sunlight to electricity, moving beyond the traditional photovoltaic technology to much cheaper and more efficient approaches. Intermittent alternative energy requires electrochemical storage of energy, and UT is poised to lead the nation. Finally, we see potential for algal biofuel as a sustainable liquid transportation fuel.
Another deal breaker is management of energy demand, in which new technologies on smart grid, electrification of transportation and zero energy buildings will provide dramatic efficiencies in the use of valuable energy resources.
Research Presentations
Technology for alternative energy sources and diversity in energy choices is the focus of our research in this area. Our goal is to enable integrated systems that are economically viable and scalable. Faculty lead: Arumugam Manthiram
Technologies that we are developing will enable increased unconventional natural gas exploration, production and utilization to help provide for US energy and environmental needs for the next 100 years. Faculty lead: Mukul Sharma
Our vision is to develop grid-based and off-grid solar technologies that are cost-effective, scalable, and can be integrated into overall power systems. UT researchers are leading paradigm-shifting research to lower the cost and enable wide-spread adoption of solar power. Faculty lead: Ed Yu
Water use and availability will soon limit emerging opportunities for energy independence and economic development. The technologies we develop will enable effective use and reuse of water and increase access to water for economic growth. Faculty lead: Danny Reible
