Energy Conversion

Supporting innovation: If you build it, they will come

By Tina Hilding, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture PULLMAN, Wash. – Right now, it’s a 20-foot shipping container, a small start-up company, a tornado in a small tube and a really good idea.

Forest-powered biofuel flight heads to Washington, D.C.

SEATTLE – Washington state-based Alaska Airlines today made history flying the first commercial flight using the world’s first renewable, alternative jet fuel made from forest residuals, the limbs and branches that remain after the harvesting of managed forests.

Better water splitting advances renewable energy conversion

By Tina Hilding, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers have found a way to more efficiently create hydrogen from water – an important key in making renewable energy production and storage viable.

$3M grant for Columbia basin food, energy, water needs

By Tina Hilding, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture PULLMAN, Wash. – A team led by Washington State University will study how to better coordinate and manage the food, water and energy needs of the Columbia River basin and make the region more resilient to a changing climate as part of a $3 million grant […]

Student works to boost renewable energy in Philippines

By Maegan Murray, WSU Tri-Cities RICHLAND, Wash. – In Elmar Villota’s home country of the Philippines, as much as 15 percent of households do not have electricity. Villota, a doctoral student in biological systems engineering at Washington State University Tri-Cities, is motivated to close that gap with renewable energy.

Researchers make breakthrough in biobased materials

By Tina Hilding, Voiland College of Engineering & Architecture PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers have developed a way to practically separate lignin from wood, a breakthrough that could provide new sources of lignin for advanced renewable fuel and advanced materials applications.

Oct. 12, 13: Changes, challenge of energy market explored

By Monique Van Sant, WSU Tri-Cities intern RICHLAND, Wash. – Scientist James Conca will talk about the evolution and future of the worldwide energy market and specific dangers facing energy sources at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, and at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in the East Auditorium at Washington State University Tri-Cities.

$1.1 million award funds solar technology advances

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers have received a $1.1 million U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative cooperative award to improve the performance and lower the cost of solar materials for the multibillion dollar industry.

Oct. 3, 4: Symposium on new, clean energy materials

EVERETT, Wash. – Washington state’s Joint Center for Deployment and Research in Earth Abundant Materials (JCDREAM) will hold its inaugural research symposium Oct. 3 and 4. The free forum begins at 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Henry M. Jackson Center Wilderness Auditorium at Everett Community College.