Oshkosh, WI -- GE Aviation and the University of Dayton Research Institute today signed a collaboration agreement for work at the Electrical Power Integrated Systems Research & Development Center (EPISCENTER) that GE is constructing near Dayton, Ohio.
In the public event Mickey McCabe, vice president for Research and Executive Director, University of Dayton Research Institute and Austin Schaffter, vice president of Electric Power Systems for GE Aviation signed the agreement.
"This agreement underscores the importance of linking Ohio's academic and industrial research and development strengths in order to advance next-generation electric power systems technology so that Ohio continues to grow as an aerospace and technology center of excellence," said Austin Schaffter. "GE's EPISCENTER is focused on advanced energy management which involves electric power systems research and development across generation, control, distribution & management, conversion and energy storage technologies. We are integrating the entire electrical power system to redefine energy and load management and to create a "Smart Grid" on more electric air and ground vehicles."
GE announced the creation of the EPISCENTER in March, with the exact location expected to be announced by the end of 2010. GE expects the EPISCENTER operations to begin in 2012.
"Our researchers at UDRI will work with GE to develop and deploy cutting-edge computer modeling, simulation & analysis tools for advanced, dynamic electric power systems design and controls," said Mickey McCabe. "This center will allow us to build upon long-standing capabilities in modeling and simulation that may eventually be applied to other complex electrical systems such as smart utility grids and electric vehicles."
The Ohio Third Frontier Commission is providing a capital grant for up to $7.6 million in support of the center. The fiscal agent for the Ohio Third Frontier grant is the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI).
"Electrification in transportation is a growth area," commented Vic Bonneau, president of Electric Power Systems for GE Aviation. "This center will yield system-level benefits so that our customers can more rapidly benefit from this trend in energy management, climate control, advanced radars and sensors, silicon carbide based power conversion and electric actuation, to name a few."
The center will work on advanced electrical power systems research and development in support of hybrid electric ground vehicles, the electrification of naval surface ships and especially in the aviation industry's More Electric Aircraft (MEA) technology. GE's electrical power technology path supports upcoming generations of commercial air transports, business and regional jets, and strategic and tactical future programs such as the ground combat vehicle, the joint light tactical vehicle, numerous public and proprietary unmanned air vehicles, and the miniaturization effort of electrical power on naval vessels.
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. GE Aviation Systems LLC and GE Aviation Systems Ltd are subsidiaries of General Electric Company.