November 2, 2016

Purdue, Duke Energy sign MOU to advance joint research efforts

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University and Duke Energy Corp. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities for partnering on technology development projects that will make electricity more reliable, affordable and environmentally clean.

The five-year strategic research partnership agreement, which took effect Oct. 21, runs through October 2021.

"Leveraging Purdue's interdisciplinary research strengths and Duke Energy's technology expertise and deep understanding of what is needed for the utility of the future, the partnership will seek to identify the gaps in energy technology and develop enabling technologies designed to fill those gaps," said Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, chief scientist and executive director of Purdue's Discovery Park.

Doug Esamann, executive vice president for energy solutions and president of Duke Energy's Midwest and Florida regions, said the success of the utility's enabling technology efforts depends on industry partners and public-private partnerships.

"We are investing in new technologies and solutions to deliver cleaner energy and create a smarter energy grid that provides our customers with more choice, convenience and control," Esamann said. "Partnering with leading institutions such as Purdue helps us advance our goals."

The Purdue-Duke MOU coincided with a Purdue campus visit last week by Lynn J. Good, Duke Energy's chairman, president and chief executive officer. As part of the Discovery Park Distinguished Lecture Series, Good spoke about the transformational change taking place in the energy industry and how Duke Energy is leading the change by transforming the customer experience, modernizing the power grid and generating cleaner energy. 

Maureen McCann, director of the Purdue Energy Center in Discovery Park and a professor of biological sciences, said the agreement builds on the engagement effort established in 2011 to create the annual Duke Energy Academy at Purdue that has inspired hundreds of high school students to consider the value of an education in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields for careers in the energy sector.

The Duke Energy Academy at Purdue, which marked its fifth anniversary this summer, is a free weeklong event on the Purdue campus that exposes high school students to STEM-related learning and career opportunities in the energy industry, said Pankaj Sharma, managing director of the Purdue Energy Center. Registration is now underway for the 2017 event, which is June 18-24.

Media Contacts: Phillip Fiorini, Purdue University, 765-496-3133, pfiorini@purdue.edu

Angeline Protogere, Duke Energy Corp., 317-838-1338, angeline.protogere@duke-energy.com

 Sources: Tomás Díaz de la Rubia, 765-496-6625, tddlr@purdue.edu

Maureen McCann, 765-494-1610, mmccann@purdue.edu

Pankaj Sharma, 765-496-7452, sharma@purdue.edu

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