The Energy Institute integrates energy related activities across University of Wisconsin – Madison and promotes collaboration with government and industry leaders to comprehensively address the energy challenge.

ENERGY INSTITUTE HISTORY

The University of Wisconsin-Madison was among the first research universities to recognize the growing importance of energy. To support its energy research initiatives, UW-Madison initiated the Energy Systems and Policy cluster hire program in 2000. These and other UW-Madison faculty members have been the catalysts for interdisciplinary research activities and for keeping energy policy issues and educational opportunities at the forefront of strategic activities.

In summer 2005, a number of faculty members actively engaged in energy research began an informal discussion on how to better collaborate in educational and research activities, build synergy, and increase national recognition of UW-Madison energy research and expertise. This group, the UW Energy Institute, now includes more than 50 faculty and staff members from across the UW-Madison campus. An organizing committee from this larger group met with UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley in Fall 2005, leading to official creation in 2006.

With centers of excellence that focus on understanding energy resources, energy conversion and storage technologies, energy sustainability and enabling technologies such as materials, UW-Madison now is world leader in energy education and research. Each year, it ranks among the top university recipients of Department of Energy research funding.