Texas A&M: Shaping the Future of Energy
Universities have always been a place where brilliant people pool their talents to figure out new ways to improve our lives through the power of science. When you surround bright young minds with experienced scholars, you create an atmosphere in which anything is possible. While there are countless research institutions across the globe, one of the best can be found right in the Lone Star State. Texas A&M University has long been at the forefront of developments in the energy sector. Their work has improved the way we generate and use electricity, both in residential and industrial applications.
Headquartered in College Station, Texas A&M is the seventh-largest university in the country. Many people know the school for its football team, a perennial contender for the Big 12 title. The institution, however, is a land and sea grant institution and was set up by the state of Texas to advance understanding of practical sciences. While the college has many aims, Texas's unique place in the energy sector has made related research a natural for Aggie scientists.
The goal of the Texas A&M Energy Engineering Institute is to "to form a creative and productive collaborative environment to advance sustainable energy technologies and systems." The scientists at the EEI continue to study the possibilities involved in the use of oil and gas, fuels that have been so critical in Texas's history and economic development. In order to confront the future of energy use and production, the EEI maintains facilities dedicated to researching the possibilities of nuclear-, solar- and wind-generated electricity.
Although Texas A&M is partially funded by the state, the college returns a great deal to the people of the Lone Star State. Not only do Texans reap the benefits of more efficient Texas electricity use, they also benefit from the countless jobs provided by the technology. (Perhaps best of all, residential energy customers have lower energy bills because of the efforts of Texas A&M researchers.)
Because of the school's great reputation, the United States government and private companies often partner with Texas A&M to complete big projects. The U.S. Department of Energy is funding a $19 million effort to research technology and develop systems that will improve the reliability and efficiency of the American power grid. It will be Texas A&M's goal to figure out new and better ways to regulate the flow of electricity between power plants and between regions. This is a particularly important issue, as the country's aging and obsolete power grid has often failed, costing money and sometimes resulting in death.
The United States is criss-crossed by miles upon miles of electric cable. Even though these cables are built to withstand the elements, there's no way to build lines that won't sometimes fail because of the effects of precipitation, wild temperature swings and intense sunlight. Trees and other vegetation are two more big threats to power lines. Researchers at Texas A&M devoted intense study to understanding the causes and effects of "vegetation intrusion" on "electric distribution systems." You may think that this is a simple topic—a tree falls and knocks down power lines. Actually, small power outages often result in larger power outages as the disruption cascades through the system. By understanding the characteristics of "vegetation faults on operating utility systems," utilities will be able to restore power to areas struck by natural disasters, including hurricanes.
Perhaps the most important project undertaken by Texas A&M is the outreach professors and students do to get young Texans excited about a career in energy engineering. In April 2011, three Aggies made the rounds of high schools and even met with POWER SET, an organization consisting of female high school students hoping to challenge stereotypes and make their mark on the world of science.
Even though it may be hard for the common citizen to understand the jargon and activities of scientists and engineers, it's important to understand what society receives as a result of their endeavors. Texans should be proud to have as big and prestigious an institution as Texas A&M right in their backyard. The world will not stop looking for more efficient forms of energy, and Aggie scientists and alumni will be a big part of keeping America in the forefront of the development of these technologies.