A NEW ENERGY ALLIANCE

	(L to R): Mike Couick, Dean Michael Amiridis, Lonnie Carter, and University President Andrew Sorensen after announcement.

Santee Cooper and the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina have pledged a combined $5 million to establish a Center of Economic Excellence at the University. The landmark collaboration sets its sights on making coal a cleaner and more efficient source of energy.

The University has also received $5 million through the state’s Center for Economic Excellence initiative, which will provide additional long-term sustainable resources for the effort.

“Energy research is one of our top priorities,” Dean Amiridis said. “The proposed agreement with Santee Cooper and the Electric Cooperatives complements our efforts in hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, and further diversifies our portfolio of research activities in the energy arena.”

Amiridis acknowledged that the solution to our nation’s energy problems will not be a simple one. It will resemble a puzzle composed of many pieces, reflecting the complexity of today’s technologies, societies, and lifestyles. “We are therefore trying to position ourselves to be able to work and contribute to as many of these pieces as possible,” he said, “with carbon being a very important one, especially for South Carolina.”

The partnership will set its sights on accomplishing the following actions:

• Accelerating research in environmental control technology to maximize the economic benefits of coal-generated electricity
• Serving as a catalyst for new spin-off companies to market the new technology
• Ensuring the continued availability of low-cost, reliable electric power to current and new industrial and residential customers
• Protecting the environment by reducing carbon, mercury, and acid emissions as the industry meets an escalating demand for affordable electricity
• An advisory board comprising university, state, and industry leaders, including representatives from Santee Cooper and the Electric Cooperatives, will help guide the research program.

“The agreement with Santee Cooper and the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina represents a strategic alliance of great importance for the College of Engineering and Computing,” Amiridis said.