http://www.energyefficiencynews.com <p>The US <a rel="external" href="http://www.nsf.gov">National Science Foundation</a> (NSF) has awarded one of its prestigious Engineering Research Centre grants to establish a National Research Centre for Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management Systems (FREEDM) at <a rel="external" href="http://www.ncsu.edu">North Carolina State University</a> (NCSU).</p> <p>The new centre will collaborate with universities, industry and national laboratories around the world to develop a smart grid that can easily store and distribute energy produced from solar panels, wind farms, fuel cells and other alternative energy sources. The so called &lsquo;internet for energy&rsquo; will enable users to generate their own energy from alternative sources and sell the excess back to the power companies.</p> <p>The centre will be funded by an initial $18.5 million grant over five years from the NSF, with an additional $10 million provided by supporting institutions and membership fees. More than 60 companies have already agreed to join the partnership.</p> <p>Research at the new centre will begin immediately under the direction of Alex Huang, Progress Energy Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NCSU who has been appointed director. A new headquarters for the centre is scheduled to open on the university&rsquo;s Centennial Campus in 2010.</p> <p>For further information:<br /> <a rel="external" href="http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/news/news_articles/freedm.html">www.engr.ncsu.edu/news/news_articles/freedm.html</a></p> http://www.energyefficiencynews.com/i/1272/ 2008-09-10T00:00:00-00:00 National Science Foundation, North Carolina State University, internet for energy, smart grid,National Research Centre for Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management Systems