Stanford University?s role in energy research and national energy policy will expand as the result of newly announced alumni donations of $100 million. A new energy institute for the study of everything from solar cells to energy markets is being created.
A new energy institute for the study of everything from solar cells to energy markets is being created.
University officials said Stanford?s existing energy-focused efforts will be consolidated in one site. The donations will support the hiring of new faculty, additional graduate students and provide seed money for major research projects.
The donations came from three alumni who said they were motivated by the desire to protect the environment from green house gases, improve energy efficiency and reduce America?s dependence on foreign oil.
Stanford President John Hennessy announced the donations at a news conference. He said, ?These generous gifts will help us overcome the enormous challenges that we face in energy research. It will create an independent institute for researchers on campus and around the world.?
An even larger energy institute at the University or California-Berkeley is controversial because it is supported by BP and involves industry scientists. Hennessy stressed that the new institute will be independent.