University Research

As deregulation of the electric utility industry continues, more and more universities around the country are adding curriculum and research related to DER. Some of these university DER initiatives are described below.

The University of California at Irvine is the location of the National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFRC). The mission of the NFCRC is to promote and support the fuel cell industry by providing the research, development and demonstration of fuel cell technologies. NFCRC's goal is to become a focal point for advancing fuel cell technology by creating partnerships with industry and state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the California Energy Commission.

Humboldt University in Arcata, California is the home of the Schatz Energy Center. The focus of the Schatz Energy Center is to establish clean and renewable energy technologies. The center designs and builds PEM fuel cells, zero emission vehicles, and solar hydrogen power systems.