Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI)

The AEI vision is to break down the barriers America’s energy producers encounter as they work for responsible approaches to energy independence.

• AEI was crafted in consultation with expert faculty, state and federal agencies and private industry interested in balancing America’s energy and environmental needs while using fossil energy.
• AEI will drive innovation in the socially and environmentally responsible production, management, and utilization of fossil energy.
• AEI will help formulate policy recommendations so that our leaders will have the facts they need to make sound decisions on diverse topics from carbon management to environmental regulation.

A natural role for WVU.  AEI will build upon WVU’s programs of excellence in advanced technologies for fossil fuel. WVU already has:

• More than 100 faculty members in wide-ranging disciplines performing energy-related research.
• Conducted more than $98 million of energy research over the past four years.
• Created a research consortium, CWP Inc., with the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University to execute a portfolio of programs that will produce new technologies for cleaner and more efficient use of fossil fuel. The work represents more than $26 million in subcontracted research supported by the U.S. DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory.  

Under the AEI umbrella, future research initiatives will include:

A $15 million state match through the WV Research Trust Fund will complement private donations to the AEI.  The combined $30 million endowment is expected to generate about $1.2 million in annual income managed through the WVU Foundation.

Link to Full AEI Goals, Vision and Strategy Document

Link to AEI Presentation

Dr. Curt M. Peterson, VP Research and Economic Development
West Virginia University Research Corporation
PO Box 6216 Morgantown, WV 26506-6216
Phone: 304.293.3449 Fax: 304.293.7498 Email: research@mail.wvu.edu