Initiative on Renewable Energy and the Environment - IREE
The University of Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE) addresses the urgent need to reduce our dependence on non-renewable, fossil fuel-based sources of energy and products; and to improve the health and sustainability of our global ecosystems. Begun in 2003, this $20M initiative capitalizes on the substantial renewable resources in Minnesota—biomass, wind and solar—as well as the unique strengths of the University of Minnesota to facilitate efforts in research, collaboration and policy development.
IREE’s mission is to promote statewide economic development, sustainable, healthy, and diverse ecosystems, and national energy security through development of bio-based and other renewable resources and processes. Since 2003, IREE has funded more than 100 renewable energy-related research and demonstration projects involving over 275 faculty, research scientists and students at the University of Minnesota. IREE also seeks and supports the expertise and resources of private business and industry, state public agencies, and the nonprofit sector, and has attracted substantial support from state and federal government and private industry.
IREE-funded projects include several concerned with hydrogen production from renewable sources, transportation, storage, and utilization. IREE researchers also work on converting biomass into energy or products. Research in the area of efficient energy systems includes the development of efficient and cost-effective wind- and solar-based energy systems. Economic development; sustainable, healthy and diverse ecosystems; and policy considerations are central to the development and application of any renewable energy technologies and practices that emerge from IREE-sponsored activities.
http://www.iree.umn.edu |
