Georgia Southern University Awarded $250,000 U.S. Department of Energy Grant to Research Alternative Fuels

January 26, 2011

Georgia Southern University researchers have been awarded a $250,000 grant by the U.S. Department of Energy that will allow them to study the emissions of alternative fuels designed to replace fossil fuels.

The grant will go towards purchasing new, cutting-edge equipment for the Renewable Energy Laboratory in the University’s Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology. The equipment will be used to measure and analyze the emissions released when engines run on biofuels instead of diesel or gasoline. The lab at Georgia Southern will be one of only several universities in the nation equipped with this advanced technology.

“While our mission is to research practical and affordable alternatives to diesel and gasoline, it is also very important that we know the impact those alternative fuels will have on the environment,” said Bret Danilowicz, dean of the Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology. “This grant will allow us to study the emissions of alternative fuels so we will know what is coming out of the tailpipe of vehicles when these fuels are being used by large numbers of cars and trucks. We want to make sure this energy is truly ‘green’ energy.”

The Renewable Energy Laboratory at Georgia Southern is researching the use of biofuels from a number of sources.

“This will take our research and results to a higher level of accuracy, providing valuable insight about the use of biofuels in both large and small engines,” said Valentin Soloiu, Ph.D., the Allen E. Paulson Endowed Chair of Renewable Energy.

Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Department Chair and Professor Mohammad Davoud, Ph.D., said the grant is a progressive step for the renewable energy program, which will continue to expand student research opportunities as it gains additional external funding.

“Hands on research enriches our students’ educational experience at Georgia Southern,” explained Davoud. “This award shows funding institutions consider us competitive with major research universities.”