NCET

Desert Research Institute (DRI) continues to be a global leader in the environmental sciences, continually finding innovative new ways to create economic opportunities in Nevada through research, study and practical implementation of research and technology.

DRI celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, and in its recent annual report, highlighted some of its most significant accomplishments. While countless strides are being made by this academic and research institution, I’d like to share with you some of the highlights that pertain to technological and renewable energy strides.

DRI, along with the Nevada System of Higher Education, has created a new interdisciplinary center, The Clean Technology and Renewable Energy Center, which brings together DRI renewable energy and clean technology research projects. The center explores emerging areas in renewable energy and development and application of clean technologies. It also provides a forum for evaluation of new technologies and partners with private industries to implement technological development. Some of the center’s current research activities include using atmospheric models to predict solar energy potential and wind speed for wind turbines; creating and developing pre-treatment methods which will create more efficient uses of biomass fuels; testing the use of solar energy to produce synthetic gas; and designing a renewable energy experiment facility to test and evaluate renewable energy and energy conservation systems.

In addition to its work in the environmental sciences, DRI’s Division of Hydrolic Sciences is studying the influences of changes in greenhouse gasses on climate; its Division of Earth and ecosystem Sciences is researching new ways to harness Nevada’s geothermal and solar resources to grow algae for biofuels; and DRI’s “CAVCaM,” The Center for Advanced Visualization, Computation and Modeling, focuses the use of interactive technologies by combining the human element and computing to enable discovery, training, outreach and remote presence. DRI is looking to expand CAVCaM capabilities by focusing on problem-solving projects in select technical areas.

So what do the achievements and contributions of DRI mean to the average Nevadan? From an economic standpoint alone, DRI is developing projects that have the potential to have a significant positive impact on our state economy. DRI works closely with NIREC, Nevada’s Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization, to pursue development of products based on the findings of their research projects, and works with University of Nevada Reno in technology transfer to spin off research projects that have the potential for commercial applications. DRI also operates GreenPower, which promotes K-12 education of renewable energy in Nevada schools, and provides teachers with hands-on professional development opportunities; additionally, the U.S. Department of the Interior recently approved DRI as one of eight Regional Climate Science Centers, which has the potential to lead to additional research and partnership opportunities in the future. In short, the innovative research projects currently taking place at DRI have the potential to propel Nevada into a leading clean and renewable energy center, creating a wealth of economic opportunities for the state as we continue on our road to economic recovery and diversification.

You can follow the progress of these exciting DRI projects at www.dri.edu