SBU Awarded $1M in Federal Funding for Advancing Energy Technology

U.S. Senate Majority LeaderSchumer and Senator Gillibrand secure congressional funds to test offshore wind-generated hydrogen for domestic heating and cooling - a pathway to a greener future for NY

The Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University will receive $1 million in federal funding to develop an innovative test platform and applications for offshore wind-generated hydrogen for high-efficiency domestic heating and cooling. Ultimately, the test facility will demonstrate the viability of offshore wind-generated hydrogen as a pathway to decarbonization.

This funding was secured thanks to the leadership of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and support from U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand as part of FY2024 congressionally directed spending.

"We are grateful for the continued leadership of Senator Schumer and support of Senator Gillibrand in securing this federal funding for academic research at Stony Brook University that will help establish a sustainable future for New York State," said Stony Brook University President Maurie McInnis. "This crucial funding will allow Stony Brook to create industry partnerships that will produce important technical advancements and commercial products for clean energy production, smart grid transmission, distribution, storage, and efficient utilization. The test facility that will be built at Stony Brook's Research & Development Park will support the state's climate action plan and economic development goals."

AERTC - in collaboration with other organizations - will test the process for using hydrogen generated from offshore wind (OSW) to enable lower carbon approaches to power applications in residential homes. The project will leverage the existing AERTC facility, infrastructure and grounds.

The test facility will serve multiple purposes as a flexible testbed for the evaluation and demonstration of various combinations of technologies to optimize the efficiency of energy storage, distribution, utilization, and control, with a specific focus on OSW-generated hydrogen. Commercial partners will help accelerate the implementation of the resultant technical advancements and maximize the positive impact to the community and state.

This research will accelerate the inception, development and commercialization of products and services offered by New York companies and industrial partners, ultimately creating a significant economic benefit to the state. The test facility will also be used for training students and creating workforce development programs and community outreach campaigns to prepare New Yorkers for the impending energy transition away from fossil fuels. Furthermore, it will highlight the important and safe role that OSW-derived hydrogen will have in developing a pathway for a greener, carbon-neutral future.