COLLEGE PARK, Md., Sept. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On
September 25, Dominion Foundation
presented the University of Maryland
(UMD) with a $50,000 educational
grant. The grant, part of Dominion's Higher Educational
Partnership, was one of 40 awarded to colleges and post-secondary
schools to fund projects in energy, environmental studies,
engineering and workforce development.
Maryland's project, "Design of Efficient Solar Cooling System
with High Coefficient of Performance," is led by Department of
Mechanical Engineering Research Professor Yunho Hwang and aims to
model, design, fabricate and test a new solar cooling system that
exceeds current efficiency standards.
"In the U.S., cooling and heating systems are responsible for
63% of building energy use," explained Hwang. "Therefore, utilizing
solar energy to provide cooling and heating for buildings will
contribute to saving energy and conserving our environment."
"We are proud to support the University of
Maryland and give students an opportunity to solve an
important, real-world engineering challenge," said Mike Frederick, vice president of liquefied
natural gas (LNG) operations at the Dominion Cove Point LNG
terminal in Lusby, Md. "Education
and the environment have always been important to Dominion and
Cove Point and this project
matches up well with our ongoing commitment to both." The Dominion
Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources, parent
company of Dominion Cove Point.
In addition to Hwang, the UMD research team includes three
Mechanical Engineering students, juniors Jonathan Kagan and Joseph Baker, and graduate student Tao Cao.
Through this research project, the students will gain a better
understanding of the technologies for sustainable energy conversion
and utilization, and through this hands on experience, they will
learn the challenges and opportunities in designing sustainable
energy systems.
This project is yet another demonstration of Maryland's
commitment to expanding energy research and creating technologies
that improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Hwang is the Associate Director for the Center for Environmental
Energy Engineering (CEEE) and is part of CEEE's Consortium for
Energy Efficiency and Heat Pumps (EEHP). EEHP's faculty and staff
are responsible for building the first carbon dioxide
(CO2) hot water heat pump in the United States, helping to establish CEEE
as a leader in CO2 refrigerant technology. Hwang is also
a Chief Science Officer with the UMD start up, Optimized Thermal
Systems, Inc. (OTS), a company that provides engineering consulting
for heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration
(HVAC&R) systems and customized design software and services to
the HVAC&R industry, thermal management and energy
conversion.
Projects like Hwang's further innovative research in the area of
solar cooling and prepare the next generation of engineers to enter
the workforce. "Dominion Power's generous financial support will
enable us to assist in developing future energy efficiency
technology," added Hwang. "As well as educate this talented new
generation of innovators and researchers.
This grant was given by the Dominion Foundation, the
philanthropic arm of Dominion Resources, Inc., which is the parent
company of Dominion Cove Point LNG, LLC, Lusby, MD.
About the A. James Clark School of Engineering
The University of Maryland's A.
James Clark School of Engineering is a premier program, ranked
among the top 20 in the world. Located just a few miles from
Washington, D.C., the Clark School
is at the center of a constellation of high-tech companies and
federal laboratories, offering students and faculty access to
unique professional opportunities.
Our broad spectrum of academic programs, including the world's
only accredited undergraduate fire protection engineering program,
is complemented by a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem, early
hands-on educational experiences, and participation in national and
international competitions.
The Clark School is leading research advancements in aerospace,
bioengineering, robotics, nanotechnology, disaster resilience,
energy and sustainability, and cybersecurity. From the Universal
Product Code to satellite radio, SMS text messaging to the
implantable insulin pump, our students, faculty, and alumni are
engineering life-changing innovations for millions. Learn more at
www.eng.umd.edu.
About Dominion
Dominion (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, is one of the
nation's largest producers and transporters of energy. The Dominion
Foundation is dedicated to improving the physical, social and
economic well-being of the communities served by Dominion
companies. Dominion and the Dominion Foundation support nonprofit
causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment,
promote education and encourage community vitality. Dominion
Foundation grants are funded by shareholder dollars and not borne
by customers. For more information about Dominion and the Dominion
Foundation, visit www.dom.com.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-university-of-maryland-receives-50000-grant-from-dominion-foundation-300148909.html
SOURCE University of Maryland A. James
Clark School of Engineering