Good Investment

Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced this week that three universities will receive up to $8 each million to develop more efficient turbines and fund students who want to do research in the field.

The University of Maine plans to study offshore turbine designs, including a nifty project to evaluate a floating turbine. Illinois Institute of Technology will evaluate new “aero elastic models” aimed at improving efficiency. And the University of Minnesota will be looking at new ways to transmit power from the turbine to the grid, as well as designs that can “increase energy capture.” Not sure exactly how those ideas all work, but they sound cool, no?

And here’s why this initiative is a double-plus: the funding is coming from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Why is this cool? Because it’s investing twice. First, it’s a much-needed push to boost U.S. green technology. And second, it’s a clear statement that the government sees green research as an area that will likely deliver long-term economic returns. In fact, despite record unemployment figures, green industries are hiring. This is an industry with a future.