Stevens Institute of Technology will continue its mission to develop the future of science engineering and math with help from a $1.5 million grant through the Public Service Enterprise Group.
The grant will support two parallel objectives and areas of strong mutual interest: Energy Innovation and Public Service.
“Stevens is proud to partner with PSEG, one of New Jersey’s and the region’s most highly respected companies, and recognized as a major contributor to improving the lives of citizens and the economic vitality of the region,” Stevens President Nariman Farvardin said. “This partnership will lay the foundation for a strengthened and even more significant long-term relationship between PSEG and Stevens to further address the challenging issues regarding meeting society’s most pressing energy needs.”
The Energy Innovation track of this three-year initiative will focus on faculty and student research capabilities in two key areas: energy conversion and storage. It will aim to advance the understanding of and technologies associated with flexible photoelectronics and with the development of sustainable fuels. The partnership also will amplify Stevens’ institutional research capabilities in the energy domain in a manner that is guided by and responsive to industry priorities and concerns.
“Our partnership with Stevens is an example of how industries and universities can work together to advance one another’s missions,” said Ralph Izzo, chairman, CEO and president of PSEG. “PSEG is proud to support the development and enhancement of educational programs that inspire students to pursue their interests in sustainability. Companies like ours will look to the next generation of innovators to help with issues such as climate change and energy independence. That requires people with the knowledge, curiosity and creativity.”
The Public Service track will focus on enhancing educational opportunities and cultural programing. The PSEG/Stevens partnership will increase participation in STEM — science, technology, engineering and math — education for underserved and economically disadvantaged youth by providing full scholarships and related support for eligible students to participate in the WaterBotics summer camp experience for middle school students and Stevens’ Pre-College Programs for high school students. These experiences will provide young students with a glimpse into college life and inspire them to pursue a STEM-focused college education.
“The potential impact of this multifaceted research is enormous,” Farvardin said. “PSEG will continue to face existential challenges and opportunities in the years ahead as the energy industry faces disruptive forces. Through the collaborative efforts of this partnership, Stevens’ faculty will continue to pioneer high-impact research in strategic areas that are of significant consequence for the future of society.”
The transformative partnership builds on a longstanding relationship between Stevens and PSEG. A PSEG Foundation grant helped fund the construction of Stevens’ SURE (SUstainable and REsilient) House and its entry in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon. The SURE House won top honors in the 2015 international competition.
