Researchers with the Advanced Power and Energy Program work closely with the state and federal government to address the need for a reliable, cost-effective and environmentally acceptable energy supply. With this goal, researchers target increasingly safe and efficient forms of environmentally sustainable energy production. The program, affiliated with The Henry Samueli School of Engineering, has three components:

* The National Fuel Cell Research Center, established by Southern California Edison in 1992 and relocated to UCI in 1997, is recognized worldwide. The center was the first university fuel cell research program established in the United States and is recognized as the foremost fuel cell systems research program in the nation. For more information, visit www.nfcrc.uci.edu.

* The UCI Combustion Laboratory was founded in 1970 and is recognized as the most comprehensive university gas-turbine-combustion research program in the world. Combustion technologies used in centralized power plants produce more than 80 percent of the nation’s electricity. For more information, visit www.ucicl.uci.edu.

* The Pacific Rim Consortium on Energy, Combustion and the Environment was established in 1992 to advance the evolution of energy- and environmental-control technologies and to encourage informed decision-making on issues relating to energy production, economic development and the environment. For more information, visit www.parcon.uci.edu.

Faculty experts:

Studying Fuel Cell Technology

Scott Samuelsen , a professor of mechanical, aerospace and environmental engineering, directs the National Fuel Cell Research Center and the Advanced Power and Energy Program. His research focuses on combustion for stationary applications and propulsion. Samuelsen also studies fuel cell systems and hydrogen infrastructure for mobile hydrogen-fueled combustion and fuel cell vehicles. Samuelsen directs research on advanced coal and natural gas power plants for the co-production of electricity and hydrogen for the U.S. Department of Energy. He also serves on the Implementation Advisory Panel for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s California Hydrogen Highway Network. Samuelsen can be reached through Kathy Haq at 949-824-1999, ext.118, or khaq@nfcrc.uci.edu.
Additional contact: Jason Mednick at 949-824-5951 or jmednick@uci.edu

To Regulate or Not to Regulate

Peter Navarro, an associate professor of economics and public policy, researches growth management, industrial policy, public policy, electric utilities regulation, international regulation, trade advantage and computer-based learning. He wrote The Dimming of America, a critique of the electric utility industry and its regulators. He also authored The Policy Game , which examines issues ranging from rent control and protectionism to farm policy and the defense budget. His analysis of gas and oil prices, utility regulation, the energy crisis, and other economic issues have appeared in national newspapers. Navarro can be reached at 949-824-6225 or peternav@uci.edu.
Additional contact: Jason Mednick at 949-824-5951 or jmednick@uci.edu

Advanced Power and Energy Program

National Fuel Cell Research Center

UCI Combustion Laboratory

Pacific Rim Consortium on Energy, Combustion and the Environment

Jason Mednick
949-824-5951
jmednick@uci.edu