Interested in Climate-Change-Problems? Then join us September 14!

Monday, September 14 (4 - 6 pm) we are starting a new series of seminars for faculty and graduate students "Engineering Climate Change: Science, Economy and Policy".

We have two locations connected via video-conferencing tools.

The first one is on North Campus at the Duderstadt Center, Room 1180 (2281 Bonisteel Blvd on the first floor. The second one is at SNRE, Dana Bulding, room 4315a.

The speaker will be at the North Campus.

Our guest will be Peter Adriaens, Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, who will be presenting "Bioengineering Strategies for Energy Generation and Emissions Mitigation: An Entrepreneurial Perspective." --- pls see the attached flyer.

Best, Natalia Andronova

Title: Bioengineering Strategies for Energy Generation and Emissions Mitigation: An Entrepreneurial Perspective.

Abstract
In recent years the concept of smart grids, distributed energy generation, has gained favor in the research and venture investment community, to address requirements for State renewable energy portfolios and energy generation in developing countries.

Whereas wind, solar, and bioenergy (read: ethanol) have captured most of the attention, microbial energy production has received substantial investment as well. Waste valorization from wastewater, manure, landfills and microbial fuel cells has the capacity to generate substantial make-up energy. For example, a single landfill can generate 2.5 MW of electricity (a typical power plant produces 500-2,000 mW), and bioenergy from wastewater of a food processing facility has the capacity to power 900 homes.

Within the last year, the investment and technological innovation in algae for biodiesel production has exploded. Energy companies and private investors alike are considering this resource competitive with oil, while at the same time reducing carbon dioxide outputs It appears that bioengineered strategies are well on their way to become part of the engineered approach to address climate change.

Short Bio
Dr. Peter Adriaens is a Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the UoM, has a joint appointment in the School for Natural Resources and Environment, and is appointed as a Professor of Entrepreneurship in the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies in the Ross School of Business. He is further engaged as a senior strategic consultant at LimnoTech (Ann Arbor), an environmental services firm.

Dr. Adriaens' research focuses on environmental sensing and sensor development for microbial and chemical species, in situ remediation strategies, market-based clean technology adoption and investment strategies for the energy, water and Brownfield redevelopment sectors. His teaching interests focus on Entrepreneurial Business Fundamentals for Scientists and Engineers, and CleanTech Entrepreneurship.

Dr. Adriaens has co-authored in excess of 100 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, and is President of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP). He is engaged in science advisory boards of research centers, national laboratories and industries, and started Global CleanTech, LLC focused on strategic positioning of startup companies in the US and China, and technology validation.