Research Center Affiliate Program

The Research Centers of the UC Davis Energy and Efficiency Institute (EEI) are a nexus for some of the most important developments in the rapidly evolving field of energy and energy efficiency. The California Lighting Technology Center, Western Cooling Efficiency Center, and Center for Water-Energy Efficiency conduct research, development, and demonstration projects, and support educational programs for students and professionals. Faculty and staff also work with legislative leaders and regulatory agencies to advance energy policy.

Each center is guided by a steering committee made up of representatives from government, utilities, and industry. This program leverages core funding from Affiliates to obtain significant grants by using it as match funding on state and federal proposals.

This funding also maintains state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment, allows recruitment and retention of top research talent, and provides funding to seed new projects and take advantage of emerging opportunities.

Importantly, the Affiliate Program exposes students to member companies through work and internship opportunities, creating a pipeline of trained engineers and designers familiar with Affiliates and their technologies.

To participate, companies make an annual unrestricted membership gift to one or more centers and are eligible to propose separate technical service agreements and/ or research agreements that address specific affiliate interests.