NIU, June 11, 2009

TO NIU Administrators

Cole Energy Hall - An NIU Energy Strategic Re-Initiative

I propose that Office of Sponsored Projects investigate "stimulus funding sources" for developing a comprehensive proposal(s) for a model "Energy Efficient Building" on NIU Campus which will integrate all available energy conservation practices and technologies with energy renewable sources, and will house interdisciplinary Energy & Environmental programs, including Master of Energy Science and Technology (MEST) program, to be developed.  I propose that "model energy building" replace the Cole Hall and provide some of its intended functions, but be substantially enhanced with the "cutting-edge" and-comprehensive buildings' "green & sustainable" energy  technologies and practices. The new "Cole Energy Hall" could be a model Energy Landmark of the Northern Illinois Region, an inspiration for multidisciplinary "Energy & Environmental" activities, education and outreach - in many ways to accomplish similar objectives expressed in my prior strategic white papers:

► An Energy/Resource Conservation and Environmental Sustainability Initiative
► NIU Energy Initiatives: Importance and Freedom Field Potentials
 http://dominore.blogspot.com/2009/06/energy-is-zeroth-religion-by-prof.html

We are in 'energy transition era' from fossil fuels to alternative (including nuclear) and renewable energy sources (including solar, biomass, hydro, wind, and geothermal). In this transitional era, the energy conservation (including energy storage) is the most "efficient" and thus the most viable option in initial and mid-range period, until alternative and renewable energy infrastructure is developed and matured:

► Energy consumption could be halved: Investing in national priorities
► Promoting_Energy_Conservation_Activities_for_Public Benefits

There will be more need for energy education at all levels along with energy technology development and applications, and NIU should participate and be proactive contributor to the national and global needs. A new Master of Energy Engineering programs have been developed at many institutions, like UIC  (www.mie.uic.edu/programs/mee.htm) and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology's ETH-Energy Science Center (www.esc.ethz.ch;  www.master-energy.ethz.ch), for example (See also Energy Strategy for ETH Zurich) . Google search for "Master of Energy" returns more than half of million hits.With my unique energy-related activities and interest, I would be glad to further elaborate on this initiative and work on its implementation. After all, in the wake of a short history of fossil fuels’ abundance and use (a blip on a human history radar screen), the life may be happier after the fossil fuel era!
More at: www.kostic.niu.edu/energy

Sincerely,

Prof. M. Kostic                                                     
M. Kostic, Ph.D, P.Eng., Professor of Mechanical Engineering
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, DeKalb, IL 60115-2854, USA
E-mail: kostic@niu.edu ; Phone:(815) 753-9975 or 753-9979; Fax: (815) 753-0416
Google <kostic> or  www.kostic.niu.edu * www.ZerothReligion.com
http://www.kostic.niu.edu/China * www.kostic.niu.edu/Speaking.htm * www.kostic.niu.edu/energy/Energy_Pyramid.htm