House Approves Funding For TTU Energy Research

July 18, 2007, COOKEVILLE – The U.S. House of Representatives has approved $500,000 in federal funding to advance energy research at Tennessee Technological University, announced U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon.

The funding will allow TTU to continue its work on high voltage transmission lines, helping to create a more efficient and reliable power flow for consumers. The provision was included in an annual funding bill for the U.S. Department of Energy, and the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

"It is in America’s best interest to be energy efficient,” said Gordon, chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee. “Reducing our energy consumption results in lower utility bills and enables us to become a more energy independent nation."

"The research happening right here in Tennessee has the potential to benefit people across the state and across the nation.”

TTU researchers will monitor sagging power lines using global positioning satellites. When power lines are overstressed due to the high amount of current passing through them, they sag. Two major blackouts in the United States in 1996 and 2003 were caused by sagging power lines.

Through their research, TTU researchers should be able to estimate needed clearances so that power lines can operate with maximum efficiency and with a reduced chance of power failure.

“We are tremendously appreciative of Congressman Gordon’s continued interest in and support of this valuable research on how to optimize power transmission in this most cost effective way,” said TTU President Bob Bell.

“Over the last 22 years, our Center for Energy Systems Research has worked with 22 major utility companies in order to help them pass savings and efficiency on to customers. Because of Bart’s outstanding support of Tech and his crucial help in securing this funding, our faculty will be able to continue to advance this important research.”

J. Mark Hutchins, vice president for university advancement at TTU, added, “We are very excited about this project and thankful for this funding. Growing energy costs are a national dilemma, and these funds will help Tennessee Tech provide practical research and development efforts that are working to supply utilities answers to how they can operate current transformers more efficiently and save consumers money.”