Transforming energy through discovery and innovation
Energy research at the University of Colorado Boulder aims to advance basic and applied energy science, engineering and analysis through research, education and partnerships.
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Climate, Environment & Sustainable Energy News
Microbes, not fossil fuels, drove methane growth between 2020鈥�22
Microorganisms growing in landfills, on agricultural land and in wetlands are contributing to skyrocketing levels of atmospheric methane, a potent greenhouse gas, according to new CU Boulder research. Read more
1 in 2 El Ni帽o events could be extreme by mid-century
Climate change from greenhouse gas emissions could make extreme El Ni帽o events more frequent, according to new research co-led by CU Boulder. Read more
Lemur CSI: Researchers ID predators threatening Madagascar鈥檚 iconic primates
Predators not native to Madagascar, such as feral dogs and cats, may pose a serious threat to lemur species鈥攎any of which are already facing extinction on this African island. Read more
Energy In-Depth Stories
Is electrochemistry the future of carbon-capture technology?
There are new insights into one promising method for removing carbon from the atmosphere: using electricity to manipulate chemicals that then pull carbon out of the air Read more
Advancing next-gen solar technology
National CU Boulder-led consortium aims to enable the commercialization of perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells Read more
Beat the heat
A thin, low-cost metamaterial keeps buildings cool with zero energy consumption. Read more
Faculty Leaders
At CU Boulder, research faculty from a broad spectrum of disciplines collaborate to advance renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.
Impacting Humanity
Energy research at CU Boulder is sparking commercial opportunity, driving global impact, and shaping tomorrow鈥檚 leaders in the field.
Research Institutes
Researchers at CU Boulder are empowered to explore new areas of energy science by leveraging resources and talents across the university鈥檚 dedicated institutes.
In the last 5 years, energy research at CU Boulder has sparked:
82
inventions
46
U.S. patent applications
25
technologies licensed or optioned
5
new startups
A Disruptive Approach to Electric Vehicle Power Electronics
Dr. Dragan Maksimovic's research is developing a new modular power conversion approach for electric vehicles that uses both silicon and wide-band gap devices to address the fundamental power conversion, loss and component stress mechanisms.
Energy-Positive Wastewater Treatment
Zhiyong Jason Ren is refining a method to听purify wastewater by using an electrochemical听reaction that absorbs more CO2 than it releases,听creating renewable energy in the process. This听energy-positive, carbon-negative method could听potentially contain huge benefits for many听emission-heavy industries.听
Improving Lithium-ion Batteries through Atomic Layer Deposition
ALD Nanosolutions (ALD = 鈥淎tomic听Layer Deposition鈥�) spun out of听the labs of Chemical Engineering听professors听Al Weimer and听Steve听George. A major focus for the听company鈥檚 lead technology鈥攁听proprietary process for creating听sub-nanometer coatings on听battery electrodes鈥攊s improving听the performance, efficiency and听durability of rechargeable lithium ion听batteries, which are commonly used听in home electronics.
Lowering Energy Costs for Consumers
Dr. Julie Lundquist is helping improve听wind forecast models, enabling more听reliable and efficient energy production听from wind turbines. Advances from her听work could set up wind farms and power听grid operators to be more successful,听while lowering costs for consumers.
Building-to-Grid Model Development for Advanced Sensing in the Distribution Grid
Dr. Gregor Henze鈥檚 research explores methods听to achieve greater system efficiencies through听enhanced integration of buildings with electric grid听operations. Such integration could allow buildings to听actively participate in energy markets, which in turn听can enable greater amounts of renewable generation听by creating elasticity in the demand for electricity.
Fugitive Methane Detection Enables Mitigation
A team of CU Boulder, NIST and NOAA researchers led by Dr. Greg Rieker successfully developed a long-range methane leak detection system capable of scanning several square miles in just a few minutes. The team formed a Colorado-based commercial spin-out company to transition the technology to market.
National Energy with Weather Systems Simulation (NEWS)
A software program with high commercial potential, NEWS optimizes the use of windand solar-generated electricity by accounting for the effects of national weather patterns. The program was developed through a collaborative effort between CU Boulder鈥檚 and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).