Clean Energy Systems
Clean, reliable, and affordable energy is critical to thriving communities
We envision a world in which all communities around the world have access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy. UT researchers are developing clean energy solutions at multiple scales, from the development of new materials to innovative energy storage solutions, through the optimization of global power grids.
Highlights
Baker School Study Will Help TVA Achieve its Goals
The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority on the Valley Pathways Study to evaluate the existing environmental landscape and explore opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and create a competitive, sustainable economy. This report will be used to TVA to take action to achieve its goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Modernizing the Nation’s Electric Power Grid
UT was awarded a $2.8 million grant from the US Department of Energy to help modernize the nation’s power grid. The team will develop scalable, light-triggered semiconductor switch modules that would enable more effective control of grid power flow and better protection of critical infrastructure assets. The switch module will have applications in both the power grid and aviation power systems.
UTIA Researchers Evaluate Potential Land Use of Solar Panels
A UTIA study helps Tennessee policymakers, community organizations, and energy companies better understand land-use needs for reaching clean energy goals and how installing solar panels alongside agricultural production may benefit farmers.
Vol Researchers Look to Give EV Batteries a Second Life on the Grid
As transportation becomes electrified, a challenge arises regarding what to do with older batteries once they are no longer fit for use in vehicles. UT faculty are working with Volkswagen Group of America to apply those still-useful batteries to power grids.
Read about this practical solution to two real-world challenges.
UT Leads Clean Energy Collaboration Between Japan and the United States
Faculty experts in industrial and systems engineering, electrical engineering, and environmental sociology are leading an interdisciplinary platform to enable communication, collaboration, and strategy development related to clean energy and environmental and energy justice.
Costinett Helps UT-Led Army Project on Fully Charged Vertical Flight
Fully electric propulsion is still several generations away for aircraft, but UT researchers are already solving challenges related to electric vertical take-off and landing systems, advanced batteries, wireless charging, and power conversion.
Our Researchers
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Assistant Professor, Materials Science & Engineering
Laboratory robotics, hybrid materials, hybrid perovskites, dynamic materials and devices, optoelectronic devices, electronic and ionic transport in semiconductors, charge transport phenomena, development of novel materials for high energy radiation sensors
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Assistant Professor, Nuclear Engineering
Development of optimization methodologies for neutron and photon transport with a focus on the fast neutron source experimental facility, tailoring neutron beams characteristics and designing beam shaping assemblies for specialized applications, validation of computational methodologies through a series of neutron activation experiments
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Zinkle Fellow and Assistant Professor, Nuclear Engineering
Nuclear fusion energy, plasma, and nuclear physics
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Chancellor’s Professor & Wayne T. Davis Dean’s Chair, Tickle College of Engineering
Electrochemical energy storage and conversion including batteries (flow batteries, conventional and all solid state, fuel cells, electrolyzers)
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UT–ORNL Governor’s Chair for Polymer Science
Solid state batteries, flow batteries, fundamentals of ion and proton transport in liquids and polymers, ion transport at interfaces, polymer dynamics, glass transition
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Chancellor’s Professor & Director, Center for Ultra-Wide-Area Resilient Electric Energy Transmission Networks
Power systems, control, renewable integration
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Professor, Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science
Cover crops and soil health, nutrient and manure management, the appropriate use of alternative fertilizer materials, waste utilization, nutrient cycling and water quality
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UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Electrical Energy Conversion & Storage
Electrolytes and composite electrodes for fuel cells, fundamentals of energy storage materials and systems, water management in fuel cells
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Associate Professor, Mechanical, Aerospace & Biomedical Engineering
Low carbon fuels, renewable energy, grid energy storage and batteries, electric vehicles, thermal management of energy storage systems, Li-ion battery thermal runaway