KU News Release

Conference to launch new energy research and development effort at KU

LAWRENCE — A one-day public conference featuring state, federal and university leaders in energy research will launch the University of Kansas’ new Energy Council, a collaboration of researchers focused on developing an alternative energy-based economy in the state and nation.

The “Energy, Innovation and the Kansas Economy” conference, slated for Nov. 5 at the Adams Alumni Center at KU, will focus on biofuels with discussions on the research, development and innovation trends in various forms of energy and how they affect industry growth and Kansas. How national research and development initiatives can translate into innovation in the energy industry and positively affect the Kansas economy will be examined as well.

For a schedule and to RSVP to attend, visit www.kuenergycouncil.ku.edu.

KU’s Energy Council was formed this year to promote the university as a resource for high-quality energy research and education, expand the current portfolio of energy research at KU and increase collaboration with major industries such as oil, gas, biofuels, automotive, generators and construction.

Kansas companies, university researchers, government agencies and elected officials who have common interests in advancing the energy industry via research, development and innovation are invited to attend.

Presenters will include:

— Valri Lightner, federal officer for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Biomass Program
— William Hagy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deputy administrator for rural development
— Bob Noun, executive director of public relations for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
— Tom Binder, president of research at Archer Daniels Midland
— Adrian Polansky, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture
— Doug Rivers, vice president of research and development at ICM Inc., an ethanol producer in Colwich, 15 miles northwest of Wichita
— Bret Healy, director of bioenergy for the Kansas Bioscience Authority
— Laurence Weatherley, chair of the KU Energy Council; Spahr Professor of Chemical Engineering; and chair of KU’s Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering
— Bob Honea, director of the Transportation Research Institute, a KU research center focused on emerging transportation technologies and trends
— Bala Subramaniam, director of the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis, a KU research center focused on creative technologies to make the manufacture and use of chemicals safer and ecologically more responsible

Posters highlighting key segments of the KU Energy Council will be on display.

The KU Energy Council is the primary coordinating unit of energy-related research and educational activities at KU. The council’s objectives include elevation of the importance of energy within the research and educational mission of KU; cross-discipline collaboration in the research and development of new innovations in the capture and use of energy; and the application of these innovations in industry settings that will ultimately benefit the state of Kansas.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.