The University of Missouri Center for Sustainable Energy

Abstract

The University of Missouri Center for Sustainable Energy was formed as a collaboration between the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the College of Engineering. Over 70 faculty members, from a wide variety of disciplines, are associated with the center. The Center focuses on five primary areas: energy policy and management, research, education and training, service, and commercialization. The Center utilizes a number of excellent programs already established on the MU campus (e.g., the Food and Agricultural Policy Institute) to support activities in the area of energy policy and management. We are very excited about our education and training programs where we are partnering with Missouri two-year institutions to develop curriculum to support the growth of jobs in energy industries. In the area of transportation fuels, the Center has a variety of on-going projects. For example, work is underway to utilize novel, nanotechnology composites to enhance methane and hydrogen storage. A number of research projects are also focusing on the utilization of biomass for fuel production. Specific projects are focused on enhancing biomass production but also on understanding and reducing any harmful environmental impacts that might arise. The MU Center for Sustainable Energy serves as a single, central portal for access to the full resources of the University of Missouri the goal of addressing the energy challenges that face our state and nation.