UNC News Services

UNC, NC State University, Duke University and RTI International have joined to form the Research Triangle Energy Consortium (RTEC), combining their research strengths to focus on “solving the technical, environmental, economic, societal and public policy problems related to the use of energy,” according to the operating agreement.

“We can do things together that we cannot do individually,” said David Myers, vice president of engineering and technology at RTI International.

RTEC will hold its first event on Nov.14-15. The RTEC Sustainable Energy Symposium at the RTP Hilton will bring together researchers from across the Triangle along with industry representatives to share results, debate energy issues, identify research areas and establish collaborations.

“Energy has become one of our most challenging issues, cutting across a wide range of societal challenges and academic and research disciplines,” said John Gilligan, vice chancellor for research at NC State. “The Research Triangle area has an international reputation for research and collaboration. We’re in position to deliver some high-impact energy solutions.”

“Combining the strengths of UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, NC State and RTI gives us a much greater ability to conduct energy-related research and find new solutions to problems that threaten our environment, our economy and our way of life,” said Tony Waldrop, vice chancellor for research and economic development at UNC.

The agreement among the group recognizes that “the community of scientists, engineers, economists, and other disciplines in the Research Triangle region represents a broad spectrum of institutions, skills sets, and research interests.”

“Already, through the initial phases of establishing RTEC, we have succeeded in documenting the breadth of research capabilities, interests and aspirations at the member institutions,” Myers said.

Specifically, RTEC will work to:

• Develop new, sustainable sources of energy;
• Improve efficiencies in the production and consumption of energy;
• Reduce the environmental impact of energy production and use;
• Improve the security of energy sources and infrastructure;
• Educate public and private leadership, and students, in the implementation of new energy technology and public policy.