Energy Efficiency

Improvements in energy efficiency reduce energy consumption and the environmental impacts associated with energy production. Opportunities to improve energy efficiency exist throughout the economy in manufacturing, transportation, building management, and other sectors. Energy efficiency improvements can be the result of process intensification, incorporating new lightweight materials or improved coatings, innovations in sensors and controls, and other factors.

In addition to developing technologies that are more energy efficient, SRI has created virtual environments to examine the impact of daylighting on building design and a learning platform that has been used to train weatherization workers.

Projects

SRI research examines hollow-fiber membranes
Advanced Hollow Fiber Membrane for Water Purification

Modifications by SRI enhance function and durability of affordable purification material.

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency Water Research
SRI's pilot plant for carbon capture testing
Carbon Capture from IGCC Gas Streams Using AC-ABC Process

SRI is investigating a novel carbon dioxide capture process with technical and economic advantages over conventional coal-combustion systems.

Topics: Carbon Capture + Separation Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
artist's rendering of a lump of coal with black oil dripping from it
Coal to Liquid Fuels via Methanol

SRI has developed a green, cost-effective approach to create liquid fuels from existing natural resources.

Topics: Biofuels + Bioproducts Catalysis Energy Efficiency Energy Security
hollow fiber membrane being inserted into a pressure value
High-Temp Membrane for Energy-Efficient Gas Separation

SRI’s hollow fiber membrane separates hydrogen from carbon dioxide at high temperatures and improves the economics of carbon capture from IGCC plants.

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
screenshot of 3D virtual environment
National Training and Education Resource

SRI is developing the next generation of online learning tools to meet the needs of a changing workforce.

Topics: 3D + Virtual Environments Community College: Transitions Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency Software Engineering Training Systems

Products + Solutions

An SRI solar reactor
Low-Cost Process for Solar-Grade Silicon

Demand for solar energy is growing rapidly due to concerns about energy independence and the environment. Propelled by consumer interest and favorable public policy, there is a growing need for ample and affordable sources of silicon to create solar cells.

Topics: Chemistry of Materials Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency Energy Security Renewable Energy Solar Technology

Press Releases

Novel Wave-Powered Generators Deployed in Sea Trials off Florida Coast

SRI announced the deployment of a prototype buoy-mounted, ocean wave-powered generator off the coast of Florida in the Tampa Bay, part of a program sponsored by HYPER DRIVE Corporation, Ltd., a Japanese company.

Topics: Actuation + Power Generation Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency Marine Science + Technology Renewable Energy Sensors
SRI International Awarded Department of Energy Project for Carbon Capture Research

SRI International has been awarded a $4.5M Department of Energy (DoE) project to evaluate the technical and economic viability of carbon dioxide capture using an ammonium carbonate-ammonium bicarbonate (AC-ABC) process at gasification plants integrated with combined cycle (IGCC) power plants.

Topics: Carbon Capture + Separation Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
SRI International’s Ripudaman Malhotra to Present Keynote Address on Practical Steps to a Green U.S. Energy Policy at Greentech Innovations Conference

Ripudaman Malhotra, of SRI International’s Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, will deliver the keynote address at the 2008 Greentech Innovations Conference, examining the complexities of today’s energy challenges.

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
coal to liquid
SRI Research Identifies Environmentally Friendly Process to Make Coal-Based Liquid Fuel

Researchers have identified a promising new way to produce liquid transportation fuels from coal without consuming water or generating carbon dioxide.

Topics: Carbon Capture + Separation Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency

SRI In the News

A New Player In Oil: The Garbage Dump

This article about companies converting garbage into fuel quotes SRI's Ripudaman Malhotra. "Investors flocked to biofuel ideas in the middle of 2008 when oil surged to more than $140 a barrel and looked as it might even go higher."

Topics: Biofuels + Bioproducts Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
Pentagon Invests in Power-Efficient Embedded Computing Tech

This article reports that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) “pushed $6.3 million to Silicon Valley-based SRI International to push for energy-efficient embedded systems - electronic parts that control the functions of computers.”

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
A New Source Of Support For Natural Gas Vehicle Tech: ARPA-E

According to this article, the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E porgram has announced a new project that will give $30 million in grants to companies, including SRI International, to build the next-generation of natural gas vehicle technology.

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
ATMI Partners in New Carbon Capture Technology

This article reports that ATMI, Inc. is launching commercialization of a new CO2 capture system that combines technologies from ATMI and SRI International.

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
Bay Area Gets Natural Gas Research Funds

According to this article, SRI International will receive $875,000 for the development of natural gas storage systems for light-duty vehicles.

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
Cleaner, Cheaper Liquid Fuel from Coal

This article reports that SRI is developing a process that combines coal and natural gas to produce liquid transportation fuels that are substantially cleaner and cheaper to make than existing synthetic fuels.

Topics: Biofuels + Bioproducts Catalysis Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
Dielectric Elastomers: Stretching the Capabilities of Energy Harvesting

Stretchable electronics can go beyond what might commonly be considered “electronics.” Learn what SRI researchers are doing with dialectric elastomers, which offer the promise of energy harvesting with few moving parts.

Topics: Actuation + Power Generation Energy Efficiency
Dr. Ripudaman Malhotra A Cubic Mile of Oil: Averting the Global Energy Crisis

This video shows Dr. Ripu Malhotra, associate director of Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory at SRI, speaking at the University of Toledo to discuss his book A Cubic Mile of Oil: Realities and Options for Averting the Looming Global Energy Crisis.

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
Gulf Oil Disaster Showcases Need for Better Robotics

This article reports that "There is a need for better robotics in these deep sea waters" of the Gulf of Mexico, per BP's disastrous oil spill. Larry Langebrake, director of the SRI's Marine Technology Program, is quoted.

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency Marine Science + Technology Maritime + Port Security Robotics
Improved Natural Gas Fuel Tanks and Pumps for Autos

This article about the growing popularity of natural gas-fueled vehicles reports that SRI is developing a container-less fuel tank that uses strong, porous (high-surface area) carbon materials.

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency

Events

ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit

SRI will present its natural gas storage technology and carbon capture technologies in the event's Technology Showcase.

Topics: Carbon Capture + Separation Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency Energy Security
Ripudaman Malhotra
Clean and Green Energy Forum

Ripudaman Malhotra will be a keynote speaker, covering "A Cubic Mile of Oil: Realities and Options for Averting the Looming Global Energy Crisis"

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency
ISHA logo
Third International Solvothermal and Hydrothermal Association (ISHA) Conference

Indira Jayaweera will present her work examining the role of sub- and super-critical water in biomass processing with an emphasis on algae processing.

Topics: Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency

Publications

Applying Learning Curves to Modeling Future Coal and Gas Power Generation Technologies

To forecast competing technologies under various scenarios of electricity demand, fuel cost, and research investment, SRI International researchers and partners have created a Power Technology Futures Model (PTFM).

Topics: Carbon Capture + Separation Economic + Technical Analysis Energy + Sustainability Energy Efficiency Industry Competitiveness + Positioning
NTER Training Platform: An Infrastructure for Next-Generation Learning

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