New plan provides research money
Omkar Baxi
Issue date: 1/16/09 Section: News
Universities around the country may see more research funding in light of President-elect Barack Obama's proposed energy plan, according to Yossef Elabd, assistant professor in chemical engineering.
According to Obama's web site, the president-elect's energy plan will create or save 5 million "green collar" jobs by investing $150 million into the "green" energy industry.
Further analysis by Reuters shows that the plan is likely to impact existing manufacturing and engineering professions the greatest, since these professions will be called on to create the new energy infrastructure Obama wants to build. However, according to Michele Marcolongo, the associate vice provost for research, in order to meet Obama's extensive energy goals, further research will be required.
According to Marcolongo, professors at Drexel have been conducting energy-related research that will be very applicable if Obama carries out his plan for a greener infrastructure.
"Chika Nwankpa, a professor in electrical engineering, has been researching the optimization of the North American power grid, which, if implemented, could save substantial amounts of money due to greater power efficiency. And this is exactly what the president-elect hopes to accomplish," Marcolongo said.
According to Marcolongo, Drexel researchers have also been working on various alternative fuels such as hydrogen and solar power, both of which may be funded in future years by the Obama administration.
Although the Obama energy plan does not explicitly mention more research funding for colleges and universities, professors see certain moves as indications that funding may become more available in coming years.
For example, one of the goals listed in the Obama energy plan is the development of hybrid cars that can obtain 150 miles per gallon.
"While this goal is not impossible, it will certainly take more research to get that efficiency out of electric cars. Even with cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon, further research will still be required, because our current power infrastructure cannot support the load of all these cars being plugged in every night," Marcolongo said.
According to Obama's web site, the president-elect's energy plan will create or save 5 million "green collar" jobs by investing $150 million into the "green" energy industry.
Further analysis by Reuters shows that the plan is likely to impact existing manufacturing and engineering professions the greatest, since these professions will be called on to create the new energy infrastructure Obama wants to build. However, according to Michele Marcolongo, the associate vice provost for research, in order to meet Obama's extensive energy goals, further research will be required.
According to Marcolongo, professors at Drexel have been conducting energy-related research that will be very applicable if Obama carries out his plan for a greener infrastructure.
"Chika Nwankpa, a professor in electrical engineering, has been researching the optimization of the North American power grid, which, if implemented, could save substantial amounts of money due to greater power efficiency. And this is exactly what the president-elect hopes to accomplish," Marcolongo said.
According to Marcolongo, Drexel researchers have also been working on various alternative fuels such as hydrogen and solar power, both of which may be funded in future years by the Obama administration.
Although the Obama energy plan does not explicitly mention more research funding for colleges and universities, professors see certain moves as indications that funding may become more available in coming years.
For example, one of the goals listed in the Obama energy plan is the development of hybrid cars that can obtain 150 miles per gallon.
"While this goal is not impossible, it will certainly take more research to get that efficiency out of electric cars. Even with cars that can get up to 150 miles per gallon, further research will still be required, because our current power infrastructure cannot support the load of all these cars being plugged in every night," Marcolongo said.
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