UC Davis Energy Institute > Centers & Programs

Centers & Programs

The Energy Institute administers research, education, and outreach programs and partners with other institutes and centers in many related areas.

California Renewable Energy Center

The California Renewable Energy Center (CREC) provides a unique statewide forum among government, industry, educational, and non-profit organizations for integrated renewable energy research, education, outreach, and policy. Originally formed as a multi-sector collaborative, the Center was established under grants from the California Energy Commission Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program, and is administered through the UC Davis Energy Institute. The Center is at present comprised of six member programs including biomass, geothermal, small hydro, solar, wind and integrated renewable energy systems:

The program in solar energy is jointly operated with offices at UC Davis and UC San Diego. New programs are also being explored in other renewable energy areas including ocean energy systems.

UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center

The Energy Efficiency Center (EEC) was established to accelerate the development and commercialization of energy efficiency technologies and to train future leaders in energy efficiency. Founded under an award from the California Clean Energy Fund (Cal-CEF), the EEC manages programs in agricultural, building, transportation, and water related energy efficiency. The EEC jointly administers the Program for International Energy Technologies with the Energy Institute.

UC Davis Bioenergy Research Center

The Bioenergy Research Center (BERC) at UC Davis is a coalition of over one hundred campus research scientists from a wide range of disciplines, including Agricultural & Resource Economics, Plant Sciences, Biological & Agricultural Engineering, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering & Materials Science, Viticulture & Enology, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Economics, and many others. The BERC is organized to enhance research around the development of bioenergy - heat, power, and biofuels from biomass - and to that end connects researchers across the Davis campus in five major areas—molecular and cellular chemistry, biology, and genetics, optimization of plant and microbial systems, biomass production systems, process and systems engineering, and resource management and environmental quality.

Chevron-UC Davis Joint Research Program

The Chevron-UC Davis joint research agreement establishes a collaborative R&D program directed at the development of liquid transportation fuels from biomass feedstocks. Funded through Chevron Technology Ventures, the program calls for research in biochemical and thermochemical conversion and technology demonstration.

Transportation Energy (with Institute of Transportation Studies)

The Energy Institute cooperates with the Institute of Transportation Studies (ITS) in research and education relating to energy in transportation. ITS administers the following programs:

Energy at the Molecular Frontier

Photosynthesis and Redox Systems Energy Center

The Photosynthesis and Redox Systems Energy Center (PARSEC) conducts fundamental investigations into photosynthesis with potential applications in artificial pathways and solar fuels.

Nanomaterials in the Environment, Agriculture, and Technology

Nanomaterials in the Environment, Agriculture, and Technology (NEAT) is a multidisciplinary research and education program which links the fundamental physics, chemistry, and engineering of small particles and nanomaterials to several challenging areas of investigation. View brochure for more information.

Center for Advanced Laboratory Fusion Science and Engineering

Center for Advanced Laboratory Fusion Science and Engineering (CALFUSE) focuses on research and education relating to fusion energy, encompassing topics that cut across numerous engineering, science, and policy disciplines, and addressing plasma accelerators, high energy particle accelerators, plasma diagnostics (specifically, millimeter wave and Terahertz technology developments), advanced computing, advanced materials, and energy policy.

McClellan Nuclear Research Center

The McClellan Nuclear Research Center (MNRC) operates a 2 MW TRIGA type nuclear reactor and was originally developed by the US Air Force to detect low-level corrosion and hidden defects in aircraft structures using neutron radiography. Since then, MNRC services have expanded to include computer tomography (three-dimensional neutron radiography), silicon doping, isotope production, neutron activation analysis, and radiation effects testing.

Program for International Energy Technologies

The Program for International Energy Technologies (PIET) aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of low-cost, clean and efficient energy technologies and solutions into the marketplace in developing countries. Program objectives include educating and engaging UC Davis students in energy-related issues in under-served communities in developing countries, creating entrepreneurial strategies for replicating solutions, promoting energy efficiency, mitigating climate change and environmental impacts, advancing energy independence in developing countries, and providing technical training and support for adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies worldwide. D-Lab courses create opportunities for students to network with international partner communities to solve real problems in developing countries.

Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy

The one-week Green Technology Entrepreneurship Academy (GTEA) is the premiere academic program for commercializing green tech innovations and is a springboard for moving green tech research out of the lab and into the world.

The GTEA provides science and engineering senior undergraduates, graduate students, post-doctoral researchers and faculty with the knowledge and skills they need to move environmentally sustainable research out of the laboratory and into the world. The academy is taught by angel investors, venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, university faculty,and industry executives who serve as mentors and guest speakers, providing participants with the knowledge and networks needed to take the next steps toward moving research out of the lab and into the world.

UC Davis Energy Institute