From Flywheels to Electric Cars, What Does the Future of Energy Storage Hold?

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Batteries, supercapacitors, flywheels, electric cars and pumped-storage hydroelectricity will be among topics discussed at a conference on energy storage that the University at Buffalo's Directed Energy program will host May 10 in Amherst.

The event is the first of three in Directed Energy's 2011 Business of Energy series, which focuses this year on sustainable technologies. A Sept. 15 seminar will focus on sustainable transportation, and a Nov. 17 seminar on sustainable buildings.

More information on the Business of Energy series, including details on registering for the May 10 event, is available online at http://www.nydirectedenergy.org/seminars.

Directed Energy is UB's alternative energy business incubator program, and each conference is designed to give industry veterans and newcomers what Directed Energy Director Martin Casstevens calls "actionable intelligence."

"Whether you're an academic or a local business person," he says, "we want you to walk away with some non-obvious information that you can use to grow your business, or maybe to improve your research program."

The May 10 seminar, which takes place at the Center for Tomorrow on UB's North Campus, will give participants a better understanding of energy storage as it relates to solar and wind power generation, electrical grid management, off-grid installations and the future of electric cars.

As the world embraces cleaner and more efficient ways to power everything from homes to cars, experts will discuss the latest research and technology, along with regulations and government incentives pertaining to energy storage.

Esther Takeuchi, UB's Greatbatch Professor of Advanced Power Sources and a nationally recognized inventor, will deliver the keynote address.

Other scheduled speakers include Joseph Kessler, Western New York regional manager for the New York Power Authority; Karen Parysek, energy program development director for Praxair; and Mike Swider, research and development manager for the New York Independent System Operator.

Directed Energy is an alternative energy business incubator program run by UB's Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR) and funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Directed Energy offers technical and business support, financial assistance, industry seminars and other services to facilitate the growth of Western New York companies that focus on alternative energy or energy-saving products.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.