A new Institute for Energy Efficiency (IEE) was launched last month at UC Santa Barbara. Under the direction of John Bowers, professor of electrical and computer engineering, the institute will involve approximately 50 faculty members from multiple disciplines.

“Our focus is on reducing dempand, because the cleanest power plant is one you don’t build,” said Bowers. The institute “will provide a unifying and very synergistic environment” for as much as $10 million a year in research that now is conducted in various departments and centers.

Bowers noted, “As an institute, we will riple our research funding over the next three years, which will dramatically accelerate the development and commercialization of key energy-saving technologies. This increased funding will also attract and support additional leading thinkers in energy efficiency.”

Dean Matthew Tirrell of the College of Engineering conceived of the IEE and sees its target as slowing the growth in the global demand for energy. “Our goal is to facilitate a good quality of life in both developed and developing economies while reducing the impact of that quality of life on the environment,” said Tirrell.

The areas of technology on which the IEE will focus initially include lighting and displays; computing and networks; energy conversion, transmission, and storage; dynamics of energy efficiency; and transportation materials. UCSB is an acknowledged leader in each of these fields.

In addition to its multiple research initiatives, the institute will sponsor international conferences and symposia, and will host residencies for visiting scholars in energy efficiency.

Initial seed money for the institute was provided by Jeff Henley, Dan Burnham, John Marren, Fredric Steck, and Phil White, all prominent donors who will be active in the institute’s fundraising efforts. Long-term plans for the institute include a range of programs with government agencies, foundations, individuals, and corporations.

—Tony Rairden