Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium
at Old Dominion University

Overdependence on fossil fuels is not sustainable and has become the single biggest threat to our environment, economy, and national security. Based upon the central role of fossil fuels in greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, a renewed emphasis on alternative, non-fossil fuel energy research has emerged. Serious basic and applied research is needed to provide the technical and economic solutions that will deliver an energy future beyond fossil fuels. The State of Virginia has assigned Old Dominion University the leadership role in the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC), with the mission to seek out and develop new alternative energy research directions and evaluate viable renewable energy sources for Virginia. VCERC is comprised of ODU and its other Virginia University partners: Virginia Tech, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Norfolk State University, James Madison University, University of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University and Hampton University. This statewide, inter-university network is destined to become a leader in the research and  development of numerous alternative energy projects that will be of direct benefit to local employment,

manufacturing groups, state institutions, the students and staff of Virginian Universities and the Virginian public. Virginia, with its vast coastline, natural waterways and abundant sunshine, is ideally suited for a number of alternative energy applications, most notably, Biodiesel Production from Algae and Offshore Wind Farms and it is on these two technologies that VCERC at ODU will initially focus.

The descriptions of research efforts discussed in this website are the ODU component, but we realize that collaborations with other University partners are essential and have become part of an overall plan for the VCERC effort.  For more information on VCERC and the collaborative efforts of all involved, visit www.vcerc.org.