The Center for Energy Science and Technology Advanced Research (CESTAR) is an interdepartmental research center whose mission is to provide a common focal point for collaboration and synergism among researchers at UCLA involved in energy related research. [Read More][Hide More]

“ZERO-CARBON ENERGY Kyoto 2010”: 2nd GCOE International Symposium in Kyoto, Japan, August 19-20, 2010.
[show] [hide]

Kyoto University Global Center of Excellence (GCOE) of Energy Science is tackling the themes for realizing CO2 zero emission in the 21st century. For more info and presentations click here

“Supporting America’s Breakthrough Energy Innovators”: ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit held in Washington, DC, March 1-3, 2010.
[show] [hide]

The Inaugural ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit held March 1-3, 2010 at the Gaylord Convention Center, just outside Washington, D.C. brought together the nation’s key players in energy innovation: scientific researchers, VC investors, technology entrepreneurs, large corporations, and government officials. For program and presentations click here

Department of Energy, Office of Fusion Energy Sciences Research Needs Workshop (ReNeW) held at UCLA, March 2-6, 2009.
[show] [hide]

This is a preliminary community workshop focused on Fusion Power and Plasma Material Interface issues to solicit input from members of the fusion community prior to the main ReNeW workshop in Bethesda, MD in June 2009. For more information on ReNeW click here

Fusion Nuclear Science and Technology Meeting at UCLA, August 12-14, 2008.
[show] [hide]

A special workshop is being held to review Progress on R&D, FNST issues, and ITER TBM as well as initiate a discussion on the nuclear issues and testing strategy for the next step Fusion Nuclear Facility, FNF (VNS/CTF/ST/FDF).

May 27—First L.M.K. Boelter Distinguished Lecturer's Keynote Address to the UCLA Engineering Technology Forum: Dr. Raymond L. Orbach (Under Secretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy), Assuring a Secure Energy Future - Energy Research: Future Challenges and Opportunities
[Presentation] [Handout] [show] [hide]

Dr. Raymond L. Orbach, Under Secretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy, is the first L.M.K. Boelter Distinguished Lecturer. Dr. Orbach will address the UCLA Engineering Technology Forum with a Keynote Lecture titled Assuring a Secure Energy Future - Energy Research: Future Challenges and Opportunities on May 27, 2008, at 9:10 AM in the Auditorium of De Neve Commons.

Abstract: Dr. Orbach will discuss the challenges and opportunities for basic research in our Nation's energy portfolio. Dr. Orbach will also talk about the Department of Energy's Office of Science and the projects that it is involved in.

May 12—Robert Swan Lecture Series, Voyage for Cleaner Energy [show] [hide]

Robert Swan, British Polar Explorer, will give a lecture at UCLA as part of his Voyage for Cleaner Energy on May 12, 2008, at 4:00 PM in La Kretz Hall, Room 110.

Robert Swan is the first person in history to walk to both the north and south poles and has recently launched his Voyage for Cleaner Energy. During this first phase of the voyage, Robert will be speaking at 22 universities on the west coast of the U.S.A. You do not want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Robert and hear him speak about his journeys that have led him to launching the Voyage for Cleaner Energy.
Please visit http://www.maildoc.ucla.edu/CleanerEnergy.pdf for informational pieces on the Voyage for Cleaner Energy.
Co-sponsored by the Institute of the Environment, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Science and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research.

Lighting the Way, a roadmap report recently released by the Council of all the National Academies in different countries, detailing the "science, technology and policy for developing energy resources in both developed and developing countries while also securing climate protection and global development goals." [show] [hide]

Lighting the Way: Toward a Sustainable Energy Future
Commissioned by the governments of Brazil and China, this report identifies a scientific consensus framework for directing global energy development. It lays out the science, technology and policy roadmap for developing energy resources to drive economic growth in both industrialized and developing countries while also securing climate protection and global development goals. The report was produced by a study panel of 15 world-renowned energy experts, co-chaired by Nobel Laureate Steven Chu, Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in the United States, and José Goldemberg, former Secretary of State for the Environment for the State of São Paulo, Brazil.
More here.

UCLA Faculty workshop in Energy related Research (Energy/Environment/Policy) [show] [hide]

Organized by the Strategic Planning Group
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR)
2nd Floor Lounge Ackerman Union
April 12, 2007 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

On Thursday, April 12th, 2007, UCLA faculty from engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, architecture, microbiology, law and policy came together to discuss critical issues in clean and alternative energy, water and natural resources, fuel cells, energy efficiency, energy harvesting, climate change, and environmental policy.
The website for the UCLA Faculty workshop in Energy related Research is now available at http://www.ovcr.ucla.edu/events/2007energy/

University of California Research Initiatives to Fight Global Warming [show] [hide]

For more than a half century, the University of California has studied the phenomena of global climate change from a wide range of scientific perspectives. Today, UC researchers are developing technological solutions to curb global warming and mitigate its environmental, economic and health impacts. This brochure highlights just some of these research achievements, ongoing efforts and recent news headlines.
More here (PDF, 795KB)

CSEM Research Review Newsletter [show] [hide]

The semi-annual newsletter of the Center for the Study of Energy Markets (CSEM) is now available at http://www.ucei.berkeley.edu

New Report on Electricity Costs on CESTAR Website [show] [hide]

A report on electricity costs that arrives at some extraordinary conclusions from simple extensions of published data on electricity costs, by former LLNL fusion researcher Brendan McNamara, is now available on the CESTAR website.

FactsOnEnergy.org website launched by Institute for Energy Research [show] [hide]

The Institute for Energy Research recently announced the launch of a new website: www.FactsonEnergy.org. This new site will be devoted to providing timely research, news and analysis on policies being promoted by some politicians and special interests in response to recent increases in gas and energy prices.

“As any American who drives or gets a utility bill knows, gas prices and energy costs are soaring,” said Tom Tanton, Vice President and senior fellow with the Institute for Energy Research. “There has been much rhetoric coming from Congress about possible solutions, yet little action. In the meantime, the costs of travel, food, and manufactured goods are increasing, raising the specter of inflation and slower economic growth.”

“Recent policy decisions are exacerbating the problem at home, such as Congress’ mandate that ethanol be used as an additive in gasoline,” Tanton added.

According to Tanton, one recent national poll of consumers confirmed that Americans overwhelmingly support diversifying domestic energy production and tapping other domestic energy resources. Additionally, consumers would like to see technology enhancements, such as the development of more fuel efficient automobiles.

For example, a recent Voter/Consumer Research survey found that 87% of Americans favored increasing U.S. energy production, and 92% thought automakers should do their part and develop more fuel efficient vehicles.

“With so much misinformation circulating and so many possible solutions being debated to counteract the increase in gas prices, we wanted to provide a resource dedicated to clarifying and exploring energy policy and the costs and benefits of current proposals,” said Tanton. “This site can be a one stop shop for policy makers, concerned Americans, and others.”

To lower energy costs and meet future energy demands, a comprehensive energy policy must be in place. This new website provides a much needed resource to bring all of the research and commentary together in order to figure out the best possible solution.

The Institute for Energy Research (IER) conducts historical research and evaluates public policies in the oil, gas, coal, and electricity markets. Founded in 1989 from a predecessor non-profit organization, IER is a public foundation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Through publications, speeches, and media attention, IER articulates free-market positions that respect private property rights and promote efficient outcomes for energy consumers and producers.

Funding for the Institute is entirely through the tax-deductible contributions of individuals, foundations, and corporations. Government funding is neither solicited nor accepted to retain IER's status as a private-sector institution.

People seeking more information or additional survey data should visit: http://www.factsonenergymedia.org.

CESTAR Director addresses Industrial Advisory Council: [show] [hide]

CESTAR Director Mohamed Abdou addressed the Industrial Advisory Council to the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science at the annual dinner on October 26, 2005. His presentation on CESTAR is available here (PDF, 1.6MB).

Dr. Neil Morley Honored with FPA Excellence in Fusion Engineering Award: [show] [hide]

The Fusion Power Associates Board of Directors has selected Dr. Neil Morley (Assistant Director of CESTAR) to receive its 2005 Excellence in Fusion Engineering Award. These Awards, in memory of Prof. David J. Rose of MIT, have been presented since 1987 to individuals in the early part of their careers (maximum age 42) who have shown both technical accomplishment and potential for becoming exceptionally influential leaders in the fusion field.

In selecting Dr. Morley, the Board recognizes his outstanding technical contributions to fusion development in areas such as high heat flux components, liquid walls and MHD fluid flow and heat transfer. The Board also recognizes his leadership qualities in such areas as the US program for the ITER Test Blanket Module and the liquid surface divertor module on the NSTX facility at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.

The Award will be presented at the FPA Annual Meeting and Symposium in Washington, DC on October 11. A list of previous recipients is posted on the FPA web site, http://fusionpower.org/.

Prof. Pilon wins NSF Career Award: [show] [hide]

Prof. Laurent Pilon, a member of CESTAR, has received an NSF Career Award with the project “Synthesis, Characterization and Modeling of Closed-Cell Nanoporous Media." He will have a 5-year support starting July 1, 2005. We join HSSEAS and the MAE Dept. in congratulating Prof. Pilon on his success.

So you want to be a CESTAR member: [show] [hide]

Please contact Professor Mohamed Abdou with links to your personal and research program webpages, and we will get your information on the site right away!