Study Abroad in Denmark Student Spotlight: Morgan Hayes
My name is Morgan Hayes, and I am a CSU student studying Ecosystem Science and Sustainability. I recently had the opportunity to travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to study sustainable energy futures thanks to the CSU Energy Institute Education Abroad Scholarship. This scholarship provided me with financial assistance that opened doors to a unique academic experience […]
From Pigeon Haven to Research Center Juggernaut
A history of the Engines and Energy Conversion Lab and its two main projects Austin Hannon If you tour the Powerhouse Energy Campus at Colorado State University, chances are the first “wow” moment you’ll have is not about the abundance or reach of the research, but how Bryan Willson obtained the footing for the 100,000-square foot facility. […]
How Much is Too Much Solar?
Liz Ross It’s the year 2030 in Fort Collins, CO, and you’re interested in installing solar panels on your home. Many of your neighbors are already enjoying the benefits of having solar on their homes — their energy bills are cheaper because they produce their own electricity; their property values have increased because rooftop solar […]
Time to Decipher SCENTS
Austin Hannon Common household items like hairspray and dish soap may come in small packages, but air pollution from these volatile chemical products may rival motor vehicle emissions when it comes to impacts on both the environment and human health. Last year, Shantanu Jathar, Energy Institute researcher and associate professor in the department of mechanical engineering at Colorado […]
Rewired Anaerobic Digestion:Developing More Sustainable Chemical Factories
Jorge L. Rico The growing demand for food, energy and water seems unstoppable on a crowded planet. Each year, considerable amounts of waste are added to landfills and open dumps globally. According to the World Bank, humans produce around 2.01 billion tons of municipal solid waste every year (World-Bank, 2019). Most of the waste generated […]
A New Paradigm for Solar Energy
Christopher Toy Imagine a future in which the bulk of our energy needs are provided by solar generated electricity. Electric cars zip around all over American roads, and perhaps their batteries even contribute to distributed storage. Air pollution levels are lower, electricity is probably even cheaper! Sounds idyllic right? But hold on. Imagine you’re driving […]
Summer Internship Student Spotlight: Emily Luetschwager
Emily Luetschwager works with the von Fisher lab to analyze methane leak data in an effort to better map leaks in 15 cities across the U.S. This summer, Emily Luetschwager is continuing her work from fall that involves mapping methane leaks across the country by analyzing data from 15 U.S. cities. Ultimately, her work will […]
Summer Internship Student Spotlight: Spencer Johnson
The future is bright for one Energy Institute summer intern who is developing a new program focused on finding more efficient methods for harnessing solar energy. Spencer Johnson, a senior majoring in physics at CSU, studies molecular spin dynamics in the Zadrozny physical inorganic chemistry lab. This summer, he’s working on a project designed to […]
Summer Internship Student Spotlight: Bethany King
Instead of asking if the glass is half-empty or half-full, Bethany King is posing a different question: What’s the carbon footprint of that glass? King, a third-year chemical engineering student, is developing a user-friendly, open-source tool that will allow microbreweries to calculate and better understand the full scope of their environmental impact. This summer, King […]
Summer Internship Student Spotlight: Luis Rodriguez
Luis Rodriguez has long held an interest in cyber security, particularly in the realm of critical infrastructure and heavy vehicle security. This summer, he’s continuing his focus during his internship with METEC’s mission control site to ensure that things like natural gas transmissions are secure. “Like with heavy vehicles, there’s a similarity between these devices […]
