OUTLOOK: Center for Future Energy Systems.

In early June, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute marked the opening of the Center for Future Energy Systems, a New York State Center for Advanced Technology. The new $20 million research center, in partnership with Cornell University and Brookhaven National Laboratory, seeks to meet the energy challenges of the 21st century by focusing on innovation in and commercialization of energy conservation and renewable energy systems.

"The need for an adequate supply of affordable, accessible, sustainable energy is the overarching issue of the 21st century. Energy security is the space race of this millennium," said Rensselaer President Shirley Ann Jackson. But we cannot just drill our way to energy security, we must innovate our way to energy security, which is why the research taking place at the Rensselaer Center for Future Energy Systems is so vital. Our goal is to make New York state a world leader in energy research and a powerful generator of energy-related businesses and jobs. We applaud Governor Pataki, Senator Bruno, the legislature, and NYSTAR for their leadership in providing the spark that will ignite this powerful collaboration among New York state universities, industry, and government.

Research at the new Center for Future Energy Systems will focus on ...