Research & Development Seed Grants - Universities

The Research & Development Seed Grants program provides majority funding to projects identified by the Office of Energy Policy for their potential for exemplary energy research.

Recently Funded Projects
Under Solicitation Number 07-GOEP-02, (solicitation is closed) GOEP will provide $518,192 in funding to the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville for renewable energy and energy efficiency research projects.

• Canola and Sunflower for Oil/Biofuel Production in Kentucky, Dr. Sam McNeill, University of Kentucky, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, $57,487
• Construction of a Fixed Bed Reactor for Continuous Production of Biodiesel, Dr. Mark Crocker, University of Kentucky, Center for Applied Energy Research, $58,413
• Improving Biodiesel Production Efficiency, Dr. David Hildebrand, University of Kentucky, Plant and Soil Sciences, $85,237
• Kentucky Industrial Wood Wastes as a Renewable Energy Resource,  Dr. R. Eric Berson, University of Louisville, Department of Chemical Engineering, $135,855
• Aluminum Melting Furnace Design Optimization Using Integrated Modeling, Dr. Subodh Das, University of Kentucky, Center for Aluminum Technology, $181,200

GOEP will provide $450,511 in funding to two separate departments at the University of Kentucky for energy research projects.

The Department of Mining Engineering will receive funding for three projects:

• Identifying Barriers and Developing Preliminary Solutions to the Extraction of Thin-Seam Coal Resources, Dr. Joseph Sottile, $101,041.
• Development and Evaluation of Clay Binders for High Efficiency Fine Coal Recovery by Froth Flotation, Dr. Daniel Tao. This is a two-year project with a total award of $99,900.
• Improved Energy Efficiency and Economic Recovery of Eastern Kentucky Coal Using a Novel Dry Clean Coal Technology,  Dr. Rick Honaker, $99,548.

The Center for Applied Energy Research will receive funding for two projects:

• High Value Applications for Flue Gas Desulphurization Materials, This project is under the leadership of Robert Rathbone, a geologist with the Center. This is a two-year project with a total award of $102,866.
• Feasibility of Capture and Utilization of CO2 from Kentucky Power Plants by Algal Systems, Dr. Rodney Andrews $47,156.
  

• Part I, Seed Grant Application (Word Document - 190 KB)
• Part II, Seed Grant Application Addendum (Word Document - 127 KB)

Questions & Answers

• Submit inquiries about the program to energy.rd@ky.gov. 

Project Database

• Browse the Seed Grants Database for more information about the projects funded through this program.