Energy Related Research in CISCIS researchers are involved in a number of diverse energy-related projects. This page briefly highlights a few of those activities. Please contact the relevant personnel for more information.
A Proof-Of-Concept Application of Digital Imaging in Lighting Control – Integrating Daylight and Occupancy Sensing
The Cam-Sensor 2 project has demonstrated a proof-of-concept lighting control and occupancy sensor that is robust to major contributions of outside lighting entering the room as well as to stationary room occupants – the occupant never has the lights turned out on them. This work has demonstrated in the early stages that approximately a 50% cost savings over conventional occupancy only sensing can be obtained while maintaining a target light level over the course of an entire day. This work has led to a major proposal submitted to the California Energy Commission through their EISG program.
Fuel and Oil Additive for Increased Mileage
Ceria (CeO2) has long been used in automobile catalytic converters to remove the products of incomplete combustion. Ceria’s catalytic activity derives from its ability to readily release or adsorb oxygen, depending on the prevailing conditions. In nanoparticle form, it can be added to the fuel to improve combustion efficiency. In addition, it can act as a lubricity agent by filling in the pores in a standard iron-based diesel engine. This project builds on our experience in nanopar¬ticle synthesis to provide a nanostructured form of ceria to be added to the fuel, as well as the lube oil of the engine. The overall goal is an increase of diesel fuel efficiency of up to 25%.
Participants:
Gary DiFrancesco (CIS Scientist)
Rich Hailstone (CIS faculty)
Sponsor: Cerion Technologies
We are also working with New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) as well as RG&E (they are both part of Energy East). Our current support for them covers four general topic areas:
- detection and mapping of leaks from gas pipelines
- post disaster mapping and response
- detection and mapping of high voltage transmission line faults
- integration of remote sensing data into information products
Some specific ongoing tasks include:
- modification of helicopter borne instrumentation for more efficient detection and mapping of coronal discharge from transmission line faults
- high resolution airborne mapping of a gas transmission line corridor
- demonstration of very rapid disaster area mapping
- evaluation of various spectral instruments used to detect pipeline gas leaks
Participants:
Don McKeown
Bob Kremens
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 22 August 2007 )
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