U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan recently announced that Purdue University Northwest received a federal grant to support clean energy research.
PNW will receive $7,158,034 from the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The grant backs applied research and development and projects that aim to reduce energy usage and industrial greenhouse gas emissions.
The grant money will be used to support the efforts of the university’s Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation. The center is working to further the decarbonization of the steelmaking electric arc furnace. They are researching alternative injectants and electromagnetic stirring technology.
“This grant is another outstanding example of the impactful work by the CIVS team that will develop clean energy solutions for major industrial sectors and create economic opportunities for our Region,” said Kenneth Holford, PNW chancellor, in a press release.
CIVS was founded in 2009. The multidisciplinary center combines simulation and virtual technologies to create innovative solutions for the business, industrial and education sectors. CIVS has partnerships with over 160 organizations.
“With the addition of this latest award, CIVS, led by its director Dr. Chenn Zhou, is bringing Department of Energy federal funding of more than $24 million to Northwest Indiana through multiple projects focused on steel decarbonization, plus engaging with other universities and partners on millions of dollars more in sponsored grant-funded initiatives,” Holford said.
The grant money supports research with direct ties to the Region’s steelmaking industries. Its impact extends beyond Northwest Indiana.
“I am grateful for the tremendous success of CIVS and the ability of this esteemed research program to continue to improve the ability of Northwest Indiana and our nation to make the most energy-efficient steel in the world,” Mrvan said in a press release.
The Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy dates to 1973. The office supports initiatives to transition America to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Their goal is to build a clean energy economy that benefits all Americans.
