The Center for Energy and the Global Environment (CEAGE), directed by Saifur Rahman, is a research and educational center that examines issues related to energy, promotes cooperation among diverse groups interested in sustainable energy development, and acts as a catalyst for developing solutions to environmental problems in many regions of the world. CEAGE is charged with determining environmentally compatible methods of power generation that are both reliable and secure. In this context, researchers are working in the area of critical infrastructure protection and have established a major effort called the Critical Infrastructure Modeling and Assessment Program. CEAGE programs are guided by discussions with U.S. industry, academia, and regulatory bodies, and interactions with scientists and policy makers in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

The Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research (VCCER), directed by Michael Karmis, was created by an act of the Virginia General Assembly on March 30, 1977, as an interdisciplinary study, research, information, and resource facility for the state. VCCER has four primary functions as part of its mission:
   • Research in interdisciplinary energy and coal-related issues of interest to the commonwealth
   • Coordination of coal and energy research at Virginia Tech
   • Dissemination of coal and energy research information and data to users in the commonwealth
   • Examination of socio-economic implications related to energy and coal development and associated environmental impacts

With offices in Blacksburg and Alexandria and a astaff that represents a range of academic disciplines, VCCER is poised to respond to state, national, and international energy research needs.

The Center for Energy Systems Research, directed by Michael R. von Spakovsky, promotes and facilitates energy education and research and serves Virginia, the nation, and the international community by assisting with energy issues. A multidisciplinary team is working on fuel cell systems for transportation and stationary power applications. Research areas are thermodynamics; building, industrial, and transportation energy systems; internal combustion engines; basic fuel cell processes and systems; systems integration; heat and mass transfer; thermoeconomics; second law analysis; thermal optimization; and vehicle systems.

The Center for Power Electronics Systems, directed by Fred C. Lee, is a National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center. Its vision is to provide the nation with the capabilities to become a world leader in power electronics. A consortium of five universities — Virginia Tech, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, North Carolina A&T State University, and University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez — has been established. Each university possesses areas of expertise that combine to form a strong multidisciplinary approach to integrated system programs.

The Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute, directed by Richard Turner, is developing materials and processes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (www.mii.vt.edu/Thrust1.htm), carbon fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites for the next-generation wind turbine blades, and high-temperature composite components for the power distribution network (both discussed at www.mii.vt.edu/Thrust2.htm).

The Center for Advanced Separation Technologies, directed by Roe-Hoan Yoon, was formed in 2001 under the auspices of the U. S. Department of Energy to conduct both fundamental and applied research in technologies that can be used to produce coal and mineral concentrates in an efficient and environmentally acceptable manner. Results include technologies to process clean coal with less waste and to recover fine particles from waste streams, making millions of tons of previously discarded coal now available to meet energy needs.

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