Cooperation with the University of North Carolina in the field of energy efficiency: development of roadmaps and educational courses.

In December 2012, Konstantin Vishnevskiy, the research fellow of the Laboratory for Science and Technology Studies ISSEK HSE had a working visit to the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, USA). Young scientist demonstrated some principles of the elaboration of roadmaps and the system of statistical indicators in the field of energy efficiency and he had a look at approaches to promote the ideas in the field and experience in the development of training courses.

Long-term cooperation of the Higher School of Economics and the University of North Carolina (UNC) in the area of ​​energy and energy efficiency began with a joint research project, which was implemented under the grant of the US-Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF).  Then a number of other projects followed, which have been completed successfully. Key area of partnership is the creation of roadmaps and ISSEK is one of the leading centers in the world in this sphere.

Currently, HSE and the Center for Sustainable Energy, Environment and Economic Development (CSEEED), UNC at Chapel Hill are developing new approaches to identify global trends in emerging technologies and the formation of state policy in the field of energy efficiency in the framework of the Russian-American Presidential Commission.

Director of the CSEEED David McNelis introduced the Russian scientist with the organization of the process of scientific research in North Carolina, gave him a tour of the Research Triangle Park, which can be compared to the famous Silicon Valley. The key companies of the Technopark are IBM, Cisco, GlaxoSmithKline; the leading research institutions (National Center for Ecology and Health (NIEHS), Research Triangle Institute (RTI), National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS), Institute of Statistics and Mathematics (SAMSI), etc. ). This park is a network of business incubators that specialize mainly in the field of life sciences.

Principles of effective using of energy and natural resources at the University of North Carolina implemented in practice, such as the construction of new buildings on campus. The most memorable of them — the International Education Center of FedEx. Huge windows reduce the need for candlelight, "green" roof reduces the load on the sewer system, they absorbing rainwater and improve air quality. In the North Carolina Botanical Garden pavement tiles are laid in a special way. It allows collecting rain water in special underground tanks, where it is purified and then used for watering plants. The water flowing from the roofs is collected in special containers and used for industrial purposes. Solar panels generate energy, and all the buildings in the garden are made of natural materials.

Konstantin Vishnevsky described the most exciting results of long-term forecasting researches of ISSEK in energy conservation and efficiency, including the obtained results in the wide portfolio of projects for the real sector. Also he told about the formation of statistical indicators in this sphere and about the development strategies of its development on the basis of roadmaps (for example, a roadmap of the development of nanotechnologies for the LEDs).

During the visit the sides have achieved significant progress in the issue of mainstreaming energy efficiency in the educational process. So, the American side has provided the latest information and methodological materials on these topics, which are expected to be included in the appropriate educational programs, developed in the HSE.  In the framework of exchange of experience were also raised some questions concerning the promotion of University research in the field of energy efficiency, enhancing partnership in this sphere with private sector organizations and identified areas for further research cooperation between Higher School of Economics and the UNC.

International Education Center of FedEx

Prepared by Konstantin Vishnevskiy