Additional Sponsors Announced for 2011 BioEnergy Summit in Harrisburg

HARRISBURG, PA, February 14, 2011 (Press-News.org) Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania has announced three additional sponsors for the 2011 BioEnergy Summit, set for March 15, 2011.

The Energy Commercialization Institute and The Nanotechnology Institute are Platinum Sponsors for the event. Enginuity Energy, LLC is now a Gold Sponsor of the event.

With its theme of Innovative Technologies for an Energized Future!, the Summit will explore innovative nanotechnologies for bioenergy production and technologies for producing energy from wastewater. Additionally, the commercialization of technologies and processes used to produce bioenergy from a variety of biomass resources also highlights this half-day program. Roundtable discussions will examine the business opportunities that can be cultivated, why sustainable energy solutions are as good for business as they are for the environment, and the importance of obtaining financial support to the commercialization process. Scientists, government officials, entrepreneurs and investors will discuss promising research, successful ventures, overcoming commercialization challenges and market-driven opportunities.

The Energy Commercialization Institute (ECI) is the Southeast PA region's first partnership accelerating alternative energy and clean technology development and commercialization, through translational research and sponsored research funding. ECI is focusing on high-impact energy generation, transportation and conservation. ECI pools intellectual property from participating institutions, providing dedicated technology transfer services with expertise to promote energy commercialization. It offers corporations a single point of negotiation for IP licensing, independent of the number of institutions with ownership of that IP. The ECI is funded with a two-year, $1.2 million grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, managed by BFTP/SEP.

The NTI is the Southeast PA region's first partnership created to be a catalyst for nanotechnology development, commercialization and company formation. Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania, the University of Pennsylvania, and Drexel University created the NTI in 2000. The NTI has helped produce more than 357 Intellectual Property assets, created or assisted more than 22 young companies, and attracted more than $200 million in public and private investment to the region

Located in Mechanicsburg, Enginuity Energy is committed to providing sustainable and ennovative solutions promoting energy conservation and clean power generation through the use of renewable resources.

Additional Gold Sponsors of the event include OriginOil, the Lehigh Nanotechnology Network and Lehigh University.

The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. William Goldner of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). He will give an overview of the strategic thinking and programs USDA NIFA and other USDA agencies are using to address the sustainable production of biofuels, biopower, and biobased products.

Rep. H. Scott Conklin (77th Legislative District-Centre County) will deliver the opening remarks. In the state House, Rep. Conklin serves on the committees of Environmental Resources and Energy, where he is majority secretary; Agriculture and Rural Affairs; Appropriations; and Education. He is vice chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee, and is a member of the Lupus and Alzheimer's Awareness caucuses.

The closing speaker is Daniel J. Desmond, former Deputy Secretary for the Office of Energy and Technology Deployment at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and now a partner in Peregrine Technology Partners, a Pennsylvania firm started in late 2008 that works on development and commercial deployment of environmentally beneficial technology.

The program is set to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost is $35. More information is found online at http://www.HarrisburgU.edu/BioEnergySummit For additional information, email BioEnergy@HarrisburgU.edu or call Dr. Leena Pattarkine at 717.901.5168.

Harrisburg University is located at 326 Market Street in Harrisburg. The Harrisburg Parking Authority operates a garage accessible via Fourth Street. Cost for parking in the garage is $5.00 for 0-2 hours. Kiosk for parking accepts cash only. More information on parking rates and directions to the University are found online at http://www.harrisburgu.net/campuslife/directions.php#parking

Founded in 2001 to address Central Pennsylvania's need for increased opportunities for study leading to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, Harrisburg University is an innovative and ambitious private institution that produces graduates who provide increased competence and capacity in science and technology disciplines to Pennsylvania and the nation. Harrisburg University ensures institutional access for underrepresented students and links learning and research to practical outcomes. As a private University serving the public good, Harrisburg University remains the only STEM-focused comprehensive university located between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

For more information on the University's demand-driven undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in applied science and technology fields, call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu

Contact:
Steve Infanti
AVP Communications
326 Market Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717.901.5146
sinfanti@harrisburgu.edu
http://www.HarrisburgU.edu