History
The Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory (EECL) has a 15 year history of innovation and entrepreneurship. The lab was established in 1992 through a partnership with the City of Fort Collins which provided Colorado State University access to the then vacant Fort Collins Power Plant. Originally constructed in 1936, the historic 24,000ft2 building has allowed the EECL to build unique facilities capable of conducting experimental research on engines ranging in size from 1hp to 2500 hp.
Our earliest work with natural gas pipeline engines produced a series of market driven environmental solutions that have transformed the industry. In the last five years we’ve kept the same approach, but have expanded our scope to encompass areas both upstream (fuels) and downstream (power grids) of our core engine expertise. In addition, we have applied this core expertise in energy conversion technology and product development to the creation of solutions with a global impact on energy production, conversion, and consumption – testing new energy technologies around the world including India, The Philippines, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Nepal. Cumulative research awards for the EECL now exceed $25 million and the EECL was recently named one of CSU’s 16 elite “Programs of Research and Scholarly Excellence”.
Milestones
| 1992 | Dr. Bryan Willson establishes the Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory (EECL) at Colorado State University in the Old Fort Collins Power Plant (built in 1936). The EECL receives its first engine from Southern California Gas Company, a massive engine used for transporting natural gas throughout the U.S. pipeline system. |
| 1993 | The EECL begins research and development work on HPFI (High Pressure Fuel Injection). Three years later the technology is commercialized by multiple companies, including Enginuity, a company founded in part by EECL alumni. Today HPFI is responsible for preventing 100 million pounds of Nitrogen Oxide pollution and has saved over 2.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas. |
| 1998 | In an historic move, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) partners with the EECL and Industry to cooperatively develop new emissions targets for stationary natural gas and diesel engines. |
| 2000 | The EECL is awarded $1 million research grant to develop laser ignition system for natural gas engines as part of the Department of Energy’s Advanced Reciprocating Engine Systems (ARES) project. The technology, which will improve efficiency and lower emissions, is now in pre-commercialization development with an industrial sponsor. |
| 2003 | Envirofit International is founded on technology developed at the EECL which as the potential to reduce over a ton of air pollution on each two stroke engine retrofitted with the technology. Envirofit sets a goal of retrofitting 2 million vehicles in Asia. |
| 2004 | Bryan Willson and Paul Hudnut establish the Global Innovation Center for Energy, Environment, and Health. The goal of the center is to improve global health by developing technology and business structures to disseminate sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most pressing environmental problems. |
| 2005 | Envirofit is selected by The Tech Museum Awards as one of its five 2005 Intel Environmental Laureates. |
| 2006 | The Global Innovation Center develops improved cook stoves for home use that will produce electricity as well as reduce biomass consumption. Prototype stoves have been manufactured in India and field tests are currently underway in Nicaragua, India, and Nepal. |
| 2006 | The EECL helps launch Solix Biofuels Inc. to commercialize technology that can cheaply mass produce oil derived from algae and turn it into biodiesel – an environmentally friendly solution to high gas prices, greenhouse gas emissions and volatile global energy markets. |
| 2006 | The EECL partners with local start-up Spirae to build the Grid Simulation Laboratory (GSL). With the ability to connect to the grid and export up to 400kW of power, GSL enables Spirae and the EECL to develop technologies to help integrate renewable and distributed power into the electric grid. |
| 2006 | Envirofit is recognized by the Stanford Social Innovation Review as one of the ‘Top 10 Most Innovative Technologies for Creating Social Change.’ |
| 2007 | The Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise Program is launched in CSU’s school of Business. The unique graduate degree program is based on two core beliefs: Business can, and should, be a powerful force for positive change, and Entrepreneurship and innovation must be focused on solving the global challenges of our time. |
