We offer a very enthusiastic cheer for the new Energy Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University. The EDL is designed toward the development and application of biofuel research, as well as finding ways to design and implement green, renewable energy for both commercial and government customers.
That's a worthy cause. We need green energy solutions to help alleviate the environmental threats that come with pollution. The focus of EDL will include advanced biofuels, intelligent end-use energy systems, clean fossils and energy innovation. The EDL will create and develop larger-scale prototypes and research methods that derive from technologies that are initiated at the Utah Science, Technology and Research initiative.
USTAR also deserves thanks for getting EDL started with a $500,000 grant. It will likely pay off very quickly. According to Jeff Muhs, executive director of USU's energy ventures, projected revenues for EDL's first year totals at least $4 million-plus. This is not the first USTAR-assisted organization at USU to be successful. The university's Biofuels Center is close to logging earnings that exceed its USTAR grant.
Efforts such as EDL help keep America on pace with the rest of the world's progress and changes in energy production and renewability. If we don't develop the skills and minds to find cleaner energy, all of us will be forced to eventually endure a lower standard of living.
"EDL's focus areas will improve America's energy. New forms of alternative energy will allow us to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, and reduce our overall carbon footprint. The innovations will also create jobs and increase tax revenues," said Ned Weinshenker, USU's vice president of strategic ventures and economic development.
We await with great optimism over the years the energy advancements that will come out of USU's much-needed EDL.
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