Clean, Abundant Energy
ORNL scientists conduct R&D on sustainable energy production, distribution, and use and on the environmental effects of energy technologies and decisions on society. Clean, efficient, safe production and use of energy have long been our goals in research and development. ORNL has unique facilities for energy-related R&D that are used both for fundamental investigations in the basic energy sciences and for technology development based on that work.
In September 2009 Tom Mason, ORNL director, told the Governor's Economic Development Conference in Nashville that ORNL and other research entities in the state are generating raw material for innovations in clean energy, making Tennessee attractive to businesses that want to commercialize such research.
Much more information about the energy research conducted at ORNL can be found on the web sites for the following ORNL organizations:
Bioenergy Science Center
The Bioenergy Science Center is a partnership that’s connecting the world’s leading scientific minds and resources to find biofuel solutions to our energy needs. Their goal is to help develop viable, plentiful, and clean alternative biofuel sources to meet our country's growing energy needs. Biofuel can be produced from any carbon source that can be replenished rapidly, such as plants. One example is to turn common switchgrass or soybeans into fuel that runs your car. Their web site shows some of the other exciting projects they’re working on and how you can be part of the solution.
Energy and Engineering Sciences Directorate
The Energy and Engineering Sciences Directorate conducts applied research and development programs that directly contribute to national goals of increasing and diversifying energy production, improving energy transmission, and reducing energy consumption.
Energy Efficiency and Electricity Technologies Resources
The Energy Efficiency and Electricity Technologies Program develops sustainable energy technologies to create a cleaner environment, a stronger economy, and a more secure future for our nation. The Program is committed to expanding energy resource options and to improving efficiency in every element of energy production and use.
Energy and Transportation Science Division
The Energy and Transportation Science Division supports the missions of DOE and other agencies and organizations in the areas of industrial energy efficiency; buildings; cooling, heating, and power technologies; solar energy; sensors, electronics, and signal analysis; robotics and energetic systems; power electronics; fuels, engines, and emissions; and transportation.
Fossil Energy
The Fossil Energy Program conducts research and development that contribute to the advancement of fossil energy technologies.
NanoApplications Center
The NanoApplications Center employs state-of-the-art facilities and multidisciplinary R&D capabilities to apply the discoveries of nanoscience to innovative technologies for energy, environment, and economic competitiveness. It fosters innovation of new energy-related nanotechnologies and helps transform industry by enabling the responsible development of processes for mass production and application of nano-scale materials, structures, devices, and systems that provide unprecedented energy, cost, and productivity benefits.
Nuclear Science and Technology
The Nuclear Science and Technology Division provides leading-edge science, technology, and engineering research that support our nation’s nuclear science and technology enterprise across a broad spectrum of applications including advanced nuclear power systems, nuclear medicine, nuclear fuel cycles, and nuclear non-proliferation.
Nuclear Technology Programs Office
The R&D efforts of the Nuclear Technology Programs Office span the nuclear energy arena – including uranium and isotope enrichment and conversion, nuclear fuels and materials, nuclear reactor performance and safety, nuclear fuel reprocessing, fuel cycle waste engineering and management, geological repository performance and operation, space and planetary fission and radioisotope power systems, and medical and industrial isotopes.
Fusion
The Fusion Energy Division aims to develop the understanding required for an attractive fusion energy source through integrated research and technology and pursue near-term applications of plasma science and technology.
US ITER
ITER (Latin for “the way”) is a major international research project with the goal of demonstrating the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion energy. The fusion power will be up to 10 times greater than the external power delivered to heat the plasma. ORNL hosts the ITER project office. |