LAS VEGAS - March 29, 2010 - The Nevada Renewable Energy Consortium - a research partnership between UNLV, UNR and Desert Research Institute - is teaming up with the Barrick Museum at UNLV to present a renewable energy lecture series. Researchers from each of the universities and local experts will spotlight current and emerging research in the areas of alternative energy, hydrogen and biofuel production and urban sustainability.
Each lecture is free and open to the public and will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Barrick Museum Auditorium at UNLV. The lineup for April is included below. For more information, please visit
April 6
The Copenhagen Protocol: the View from Las Vegas - Problems, Possibilities and Shifting Paradigms in Sustainable Urbanism
Robert Dorgan - Associate Professor, School of Architecture, UNLV
The rapidly growing city of Las Vegas, Nevada - with more than 2 million residents, 40 million annual tourists and an acute desert climate - provides one of the most compelling design laboratories in the world. This lecture re-examines well-known strategies of sustainable urbanism in practice today and explores the unique ways in which these strategies are practiced in the Las Vegas Valley.
April 13
Biological, Chemical and Engineering Research to Study the Viability for an Algal Biofuel Economy in Southern Nevada
Jian Ma - Research Assistant Professor, College of Engineering, UNLV
Biofuels derived from algae have the potential move the nation ever closer to energy independence. Biofuels from microalgae have many merits, such as significant high oil productivity, CO2 recycling and non-food based feedstock sources. Join us as we discuss the research behind the technical challenges of this new resource and look ahead to the potential of long-term production.
April 20
Making your World Better through Ground Source Heat Exchange
Gregory P. DeSart - President/Owner, Geotechnical & Environmental Services, Inc.
A Ground Source Heat Exchange (GSHE) system is a heating and/or air-cooling system that uses the Earth's ability to store heat in the ground and water thermal masses. The presentation will discuss the different types of GSHE as well as the pros and cons; the benefits of GSHE; payback; determining if GSHE is right for a project; local projects in which GSHE was installed; and what the stimulus package has set aside for GSHE as well as tax credits and incentives.
April 27
Hydrogen: Fuel of the 21st Century?
Dr. Paul M. Forster - Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, UNLV
There are serious environmental and political reasons to move away from fossil fuels. One option receiving serious consideration is hydrogen. This talk will summarize the technical challenges associated with using hydrogen. Specifically, it will explore the production, distribution, storage and combustion of hydrogen as a fuel, focusing on vehicular applications.
