The Stanford University in California has launched a $100-million new energy institute to boost research into batteries, solar cells and other aspects of green energy. The technologies developed by the California University led to the formation of companies like Hewlett Packard and Google. As per a statement, the newly launched institute will transform Silicon Valley into a world leader in green energy.

 

The new institute will be directed by Lynn Orr. Referring sun as the biggest source of renewable energy, Orr said that efforts should be made to lower the cost of converting sunlight into electricity. It also needed to supply the power through a much improved electric grid, he added. He further informed that the new centre will enable the university to expand its efforts to develop new nanostructured materials for solar energy and energy storage.

 

The centre will also work on host of social, market and policy issues involved in the needed transition to energy systems with significant fractions of renewables. According to leading capitalist John Doerr, the institute will enable Silicon Valley to develop itself into Solar Valley. John Doerr was the pioneering force behind launching companies like Apple, Sun and Google.