In this issue
		Energy Services Bulletin home page
		Recycling promotion highlights energy efficiency, local resources
		MHA Nation tackles wind development one step at a time
		ACORE committee provides renewable energy forum for utilities
		Schools, forests, taxpayers all win with Fuels for Schools
		Utilities join projects to promote energy-efficient homes
		SOLARS 2006 focuses on renewable energy's role in climate recovery
		Automated meter reading spreads through Western territory
		Nebraska utility, university partner on energy research center
		Western plans workshops to demystify power factor
		New Equipment Loan manager brings experience, plans to job
		Topics from the Power Line: Powering irrigation with renewable energy
		Energy shorts
		Technology spotlight: Pressure-independent valves - Do they save energy?
		Calendar of events

Nebraska utility, university partner on energy research center

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture Ken Cassman, Corporate Nuclear Business Manager Alan Dostal, NPPD President and CEO Ron Asche, UNL Vice Chancellor Prem Paul and NPPD Board Chairman Wayne Boyd announce the formation of the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research. (Photo by NPPD)

Energy needs are a global concern strongly shaped by local factors like demographics, industry, climate and geography—a fact that makes Nebraska Public Power District's broad new initiative seem more sensible than ambitious.

The Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research, formed in partnership with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is actually a little of both. "NPPD has never done anything this big with the university system and we are very excited by the prospect," said NPPD Corporate Communications Manager Beth Boesch.

The mission of the proposed research center is to conduct studies that will result in new technologies and processes for developing domestic energy sources, increasing energy efficiency and improving the state's quality of life and economic opportunities. NPPD announced in April that it will provide a total of $5 million over the next five years to support that research.

This is an unusual step for NPPD since a utility's role in research often amounts to testing a system or program once it has been developed. But times are changing, said NPPD Corporate Nuclear Business Manager Alan Dostal. “Consumers have a tremendous awareness of energy issues today and expect solutions to be developed to address their concerns. This partnership with UNL brings together the University’s strength in research and NPPD’s ability to apply technology to meet the needs of our customers. If ever there was a time to come together, this is it."

Initiative goals call for research partnership

The research center grew out of the Domestic Energy Research and Application initiative NPPD's board of directors launched in October 2005. The initiative's stated mission is to learn how to use domestic energy resources in a clean, low-cost way to maintain our standard of living now and in the future. Developing new energy applications through research partnerships is key to fulfilling that mission. "NPPD invests in research with other entities like the Electric Power Research Institute, but our own research center based in the state will allow us to support projects that address Nebraskans' concerns," said Boesch.

The utility's long-standing relationship with UNL made the university a logical partner. Former NPPD CEO Bill Fehrman discussed the idea with UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman, and the more they talked, the more it seemed like a great opportunity, recalled Dostal. "UNL is already doing extensive energy-related research," he said. "The research center will build on that work and promote the university's expertise that ranges from engineering to agronomy to chemistry."

The list of potential projects includes generation efficiency improvements, consumer energy efficiency and conservation, carbon and nitrogen sequestration, fuel cells, highly efficient battery-powered electric vehicles and more. Biomass, bio-refineries and wind energy are research areas that hold promise for economic growth in Nebraska.

NPPD wholesale customers are particularly interested in generation and delivery technologies. Maximizing effective water use is another pressing issue for the agricultural state, Dostal noted.

More partnerships to come

UNL is tapping resources at the Department of Energy, EPRI and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to discuss possible projects. The center will issue a request for proposals later this summer.

Research priorities, project selection and the center's strategic direction will be determined by an advisory board of NPPD and UNL administrators. NPPD President and CEO Ron Asche, Board Chairman Wayne Boyd and Energy Supply Committee Chair Darrell Nelson represent the utility on the advisory board. A UNL faculty member is expected to serve as the center director.

One goal of the center is to become self-sustaining by attracting additional funding from state and federal agencies, other companies and foundations. Opportunities to collaborate with other universities and utilities are on the horizon.

Omaha Public Power District recently entered into a similar partnership with the University of Nebraska–Omaha to develop ways to reduce energy demand. Such partnerships position Nebraska 's largest utilities to participate in national initiatives to develop new energy sources and improve the way we deliver and use power.

Nebraska Public Power District is hardly alone in facing those energy challenges. What is unique is the way NPPD is leveraging local assets—abundant agricultural resources and a close relationship with the state university system—to find answers that will best serve its customers, the environment and the state.