Greetings, friends and colleagues. 2022 has been an eventful year in the energy industry. The pandemic has continued to affect all aspects of life around the world. Ongoing geopolitical events, persistent inflation and supply-chain issues have impacted energy prices and the world’s energy outlook. There has been renewed focus on energy supply and security which are important to maintaining a quality of life. This reality concurrently manifests with the recognition of the urgency in implementing solutions to address global warming and climate change. EGI continues its research to ensure resource security while working toward the energy transition to low-carbon technologies.
EGI is a world leader in energy transition research. EGI is home to the $220 million, Frontier Observatory for Geothermal Research (FORGE) project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. EGI’s portfolio of Carbon Capture Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS) projects continues to grow. By adding energy optimization and critical minerals to our core research capabilities, EGI addresses the overall goals of moving deliberately to low carbon technologies. In addition, EGI will continue research in petroleum exploration and sustainable production recognizing that energy security is an important societal facet.
EGI celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The celebration is during the 2022 CA Conference. We encourage you to join us in Salt Lake City and to see what’s new with EGI’s research programs, engage with colleagues from industry and EGI, learn from our scientific staff, and join our Resilient Energy Engineering field course in central Utah and the Utah FORGE project site.
We are highlighting some of EGI’s history in this edition of ASKEGI, in recognition of our 50th anniversary. In this overview, we explore our history in-depth, tracing our achievements and institutional growth back to 1972. We remember our beginnings with the Earth Sciences & Resources Institute from the University of South Carolina, which began exploring North Africa during the 1970s oil crisis. We also remember our predecessor research institute from the University of Utah, the University of Utah Research Institute (UURI) with an overview of UURI and its contributions to geothermal energy research. We also honor EGI directors through the years, dating from the merger of ESRI and UURI in 1995. This anniversary is a moment to reflect on our accomplishments, and to establish the foundations for the next 50 years.
We are expanding and improving our benefits package offered to corporate associate members. EGI continues to provide cost-shared research projects, access to global reports and data, and collaboration with EGI scientists through peer assists and training courses. In addition to these benefits, EGI is bringing all of our research capabilities into expanded training and educational opportunities. Members can connect with even more of EGI through quarterly energy transition briefings with our geothermal energy and CCUS research groups. Access EGI through timely topics with technical webinars led by EGI scientists. In addition, members can join research projects and access our state-of-the art laboratory facilities at discounted prices for research services. These new benefits and reduced costs for EGI’s services will provide new opportunities for collaboration and partnership to advance energy science to fit your company’s needs.
Our scientific staff has earned significant recognitions during the past quarter. Dr. Sudeep Kanungo has received a fellowship from the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Washington, D.C., working with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Dr. Phil Wannamaker and colleagues published new research on the connection between CO2 and magma flow in Mt. Erebus, Antarctica, one of many recent publications by EGI scientists in the last quarter.
Read on for more news and developments from EGI. And as always, we encourage you to contact us online, by email or phone, or to reach out to our staff and affiliate scientists directly. We look forward to engaging with you on new projects and collaborations this special year.
Milind Deo,
EGI Director and Peter D. and Catherine R. Meldrum Professor of Chemical Engineering