Rice University Leads Education and Outreach Project for Solar Energy on Urban Brownfields
Rice University, in collaboration with the Director of Sustainability for Harris County and the Kinder Institute for Urban Research, has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance education and outreach in small-scale concentrating solar thermal (CST) technology. This initiative, titled A Brighter Future: Education and Outreach for Small-Scale Concentrating Solar on Urban Brownfields, is one of six projects selected for funding as part of a larger effort to enhance solar energy technology and workforce development.
Led by Dr. Laura Schaefer, Burton J. and Ann M. McMurtry Chair in Engineering, and Dr. Jim Elliott, David W. Leebron Professor of Sociology, the project aims to address gaps in educational opportunities surrounding CST technologies. While CST is a powerful solution for renewable energy, it is often underrepresented in both undergraduate and graduate-level courses, where photovoltaics dominate discussions on solar technology.
“This project allows us to bring CST technology to the forefront of renewable energy education. By collaborating with community partners and addressing real-world challenges, we’re not just advancing technology—we’re creating a blueprint for sustainable energy solutions that directly benefit local communities,” says Dr. Schaefer.
The research will focus on uncovering the root causes of these educational gaps and developing a publicly available toolkit to help two- and four-year institutions integrate CST into their curricula. Beyond technical training, the project will also emphasize the economic and sociological factors crucial to site selection and community integration of CST technology, particularly on urban brownfields.
“Concentrating solar thermal technology offers not only environmental advantages but also opportunities for social and economic transformation,” adds Dr. Elliott. “By integrating education with community engagement, this project seeks to make solar energy accessible and beneficial to all, particularly in underserved urban areas.”
Through this work, Rice University and its partners aim to pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable energy future, ensuring that CST technology reaches its full potential in urban environments. The project is funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Heliostat Consortium, which aims to improve the commercial viability of heliostats—large mirrors that direct the sun's rays to create heat at concentrating solar-thermal power plants and industrial facilities.
Learn more about the funding at: https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2024/doe-consortium-awards-3-million-for-six-projects-to-advance-heliostat-technology-and-workforce-for-commercial-readiness.html