NCESR hosted a meeting with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) on April 27, 2023. EPRI is an independent non-profit energy research, development, and deployment, organization, with three specialized labs. EPRI collaborates with more than 450 companies in 45 countries, driving innovation to ensure the public has clean, safe, reliable, affordable and equitable access to electricity across the globe. They partner with scientists, engineers, government and experts from academia and industry to shape and drive technology advancement from concept, pilot and operation to end-of-life.
Dr. Jerry Hudgins, NCESR Interim Director, gave an overview of NCESR’s valuable work and the many partners the Energy Center collaborates with internally and externally. Additional updates were provided by Dr. Bob Wilhelm, Vice Chancellor Research and Economic Development regarding the outstanding work UNL is involved with to support electric utility efforts currently and into the future. Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) representatives discussed their work in Nebraska and the region to explore new electric utility technologies. Five UNL faculty/researchers presented research updates on NCESR-funded projects supportive of EPRI’s electric utility efforts. The meeting closed with five lab tours showing more insight into the significant research at UNL through the assistance of NCESR-funded projects. NCESR appreciates EPRI’s interest in the Energy Center’s work and the discussion about how we may work together in the future.