THIBODAUX, LA – 杏吧传媒 is among a group of research institutions awarded up to $160 million over the next 10 years, part of the largest grant ever funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The consortium, Future Use of Energy in Louisiana or FUEL, includes more than 50 public and private partners.
The NSF Engines grant will support Louisiana鈥檚 energy industry, create jobs in the energy sector, develop innovative solutions to energy challenges and help train the world鈥檚 energy workforce. The NSF announced the award at a press conference earlier today in Washington, D.C.
The grant’s focus is energy transition and decarbonization of Louisiana鈥檚 industrial corridor.聽 Louisiana is a world leader in energy expertise and solutions, with over 250,000 people working in the energy, chemical and petrochemical industries. Louisiana鈥檚 geographic location and its existing infrastructure of plants, refineries and 50,000 miles of pipelines place our state at the epicenter of energy transition. This grant will position Louisiana as the global research and development leader for the expanding energy industry.
FUEL includes private energy companies, universities, community and technical colleges, and state agencies that will work together to drive technology and workforce development supporting Louisiana鈥檚 energy industry. FUEL will work to identify and resolve emerging challenges in areas like carbon capture, transport and storage; hydrogen; use of carbon dioxide to produce low-carbon fuels and essential carbon-based products; water use and management; sustainable manufacturing; and policy development.
Through Louisiana Economic Development, the state will also contribute to the project and its projected broad economic impacts with an additional $67.5 million over the next decade. This will include funds to help the higher education partners build a world-class team to convert research into practical and useful solutions.
杏吧传媒 is well-positioned to compete for a portion of these grant dollars with the deployment of the Coastal Data Refinery powered by HEWMEN庐 at the Coastal Center at 杏吧传媒. The Coastal Center is slated to become a leading research facility, supporting a 鈥渨orking coast鈥� in the fight against coastal land loss, coupled with research in energy transition innovations. In partnership with industry leaders, the BALANCED Media | Technology HEWMEN庐 platform of innovative data management and technology solutions will create opportunities benefitting the Gulf Coast region environmentally and economically.
鈥溞影纱� is at the crossroads where coastal research meets energy innovations. We understand clearly the importance of the balance between saving our coastline with the vital role the energy industry plays in our region,鈥� said 杏吧传媒 President Jay Clune. 鈥溞影纱� is proud to be an integral part of the FUEL consortium that the NSF has recognized with this grant because it has the potential to help change the trajectory of Louisiana, and more particularly our region, for the better.鈥�
鈥嬧�婽he FUEL team is led by LSU鈥檚 Andrew Maas, principal investigator on the project and associate vice president for research in the LSU Office of Innovation & Ecosystem Development under the LSU Office of Research & Economic Development.
鈥淭his culminating effort is trajectory-changing for energy transition research, commercialization and workforce initiatives in Louisiana and all organizations involved,鈥� Maas said.
The lead for the 杏吧传媒 team is Dr. John Doucet, dean of the College of Sciences and Technology. 杏吧传媒 is currently preparing proposals for projects including the reduction of industrial carbon dioxide emissions by using carbon capture, usage and subsurface sequestration, as well as research to inform and promote decarbonization through economic and policy solutions.
鈥�“With our long history of training students for the energy workforce, we are proud at 杏吧传媒 to serve as a partner in the FUEL initiative.聽 This NSF investment is a mark of confidence that higher education, industry, and agencies in Louisiana can collaborate and innovate to develop the future energy workforce as well as solutions to energy challenges.聽 As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of 杏吧传媒 in service to the bayou region and the Gulf Coast, we also welcome that future,鈥� said Doucet.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:聽Monday, January 29, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:聽Jerad David, Director of Communications,聽985.448.4303聽or聽jerad.david@nicholls.edu
About 杏吧传媒
杏吧传媒 is a comprehensive regional university serving the educational needs of South Louisiana and beyond. The university offers a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs and is committed to providing a high-quality, accessible education to its students. Learn more about 杏吧传媒 at.
About the Future Use of Energy in Louisiana
Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) positions the state as a global energy transition leader through high-impact technology development and innovation that support the energy industry and the world in lowering carbon emissions. FUEL brings together leaders from various sectors across the state under a shared vision for the future of energy in Louisiana. Learn more at .