Media Advisory 08-026

National Science Board to Meet at National Renewable Energy Laboratory to Examine Sustainable Energy Challenges

Board to meet June 19 in Golden, Colo.

Photo of Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.

The Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. (Credit and Larger Version)

June 17, 2008

The National Science Board Task Force on Sustainable Energy will assemble for the second in a series of roundtable discussions on science and engineering (S&E) challenges related to the development of sustainable energy on Thursday, June 19, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Visitors Center in Golden, Colo. The discussions are open to the public.

Established in October 2007, the Task Force is charged with examining the role of the U.S. government in addressing the S&E challenges related to development of sustainable energy, and providing recommendations to the President and Congress regarding a nationally coordinated S&E research and education initiative on sustainable energy with specific guidance on the role of the National Science Foundation in such an initiative. In these roundtable discussions, the Task Force aims to meet with various stakeholders to obtain diverse perspectives on these challenges for sustainable energy.

What:

Task Force on Sustainable Energy Roundtable Discussion

Who:

Stakeholders in the public and private sectors

When:

Thursday, June 19, 2008; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where:

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Visitors Center
15013 Denver West Parkway
Golden, Colo.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING PRESENTATIONS WITH FACILITATED DISCUSSIONS:

8:30 a.m.

Sustainable Energy Supplies to Power Higher Education: Challenges and
Opportunities - Dave Newport, Director, Environmental Center, University of Colorado-Boulder

10:15 a.m.

Renewable Energy Technologies - Douglas Arent, Director, Strategic Energy Analysis and Applications Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

12:15 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon - Mike Wassmer, Senior Engineer, National Center for Photovoltaics, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

1:45 p.m.

Nuclear Science and Technology - David Hill, Deputy Director, Idaho National Laboratory

2:25 p.m.

Clean Coal Technology - Carl Bauer, Director, National Energy Technology Laboratory

3:15 p.m.

Colorado's Clean Energy Initiatives - Heidi VanGenderen, Senior Adviser on Climate Change and Energy, Office of the Colorado Governor

A FULL AGENDA AND PARTICIPANT LIST MAY BE OBTAINED AT: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/meetings/2008/0619/se_agenda.pdf

Even since the first Sustainable Energy Task Force roundtable, held at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in February 2008, existing fossil energy supplies have become more strained, with predicted economic and geopolitical consequences. New energy pathways are needed. Many technology options exist that can contribute to an energy sustainable and environmentally friendlier future, including energy efficient techniques, non-emitting power generation, biofuels, forest and land management and carbon dioxide capture and storage. A challenge of this scale needs to be addressed at the global level. In the U.S. an appropriate strategy will be required across federal, state and local governments, as well as across businesses, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders. S&E will be critically important for success in this area. The National Science Board is poised to make recommendations regarding the structure of the S&E research and education enterprise needed to respond to these challenges and expects to give specific guidance to the NSF so that it may play a leadership role by ensuring that its portfolio matches the scale of the challenge. Beginning with a series of roundtable discussions, the activities of the Task Force on Sustainable Energy will elucidate key issues that may be addressed as NSF charts its role in bringing about a stable and sustainable energy future.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by Midwest Research Institute and Battelle. With programs in more than 50 areas of research, NREL develops renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advances related science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and innovations to address the nation's energy and environmental goals.

Journalists interested in attending and covering the second roundtable discussion should contact Lisa-Joy Zgorski, NSF, at lisajoy@nsf.gov, 703-292-8311 or George Douglas at NREL at george_douglas@nrel.gov, 303-275-4096.

-NSF-


Media Contacts

Lisa-Joy Zgorski, NSF, (703) 292-8311, lisajoy@nsf.gov
George Douglas, NREL, 303-275-4096, george_douglas@nrel.gov

Program Contacts

Tami T. Tamashiro, NSF, (703) 292-7000, ttamashi@nsf.gov

Related Websites
National Science Board: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb
National Renewable Energy Laboratory: http://www.nrel.gov


The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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