Our Mission
In modern society, we have broken the connection between the activities of our daily lives, and the natural resources we are consuming to make those possible.
AEI believes that reconnecting with our energy sources will accelerate the shift to clean energy. Our initiative sparks this connection by offering first-hand experiences in clean transportation.
Drivers and other visitors to the Ithaca campus can now see, experience, and understand the promise of clean energy technologies, and how they can impact our daily lives today.
How We Do It
The Abruña Energy Initiative (AEI) at Cornell University is at the forefront of developing sustainable energy solutions for clean transportation and beyond.
Currently, AEI is integrating materials developed in our laboratories into battery electric vehicles (EVs), hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), and the infrastructure needed to energize each of them. AEI is doing this through a living-laboratory approach that is establishing clean fleets for the Cornell Ithaca campus to access, plus a comprehensive infrastructure system for renewably recharging and refueling that fleet.
This initiative not only enhances the campus’s mobility solutions but also supports the transition to zero-emission vehicles among faculty and staff.
Advancing Battery Technology
AEI is spearheading efforts to establish a network of fast chargers for EVs (Level III), providing essential infrastructure to support a growing fleet of electric vehicles within the university community.
Simultaneously, the initiative serves as a dynamic testbed for both emerging and established companies to evaluate and advance their battery technologies under real-world conditions.
Renewable Hydrogen Power
To ensure the initiative enables clean energy from well-to-wheels, AEI is developing a groundbreaking renewable “green” hydrogen refueling and energy storage system. This project includes constructing an on-site facility for hydrogen generation, storage, and refueling—powered entirely by solar energy.
This facility will fuel FCVs, help recharge EVs, and also supply clean, reliable power when solar energy is unavailable, demonstrating a scalable model of energy storage for resilience and sustainability.
Global Energy Solutions
Using the local implementations as a “living laboratory”, AEI is extending its impact to our global communities. A key project involves setting up a green-hydrogen-enabled, renewable and resilient microgrid for the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico.
This initiative aims to apply the lessons learned in Ithaca to help remote and isolated communities, near and far, achieve energy independence and sustainability.
Our Projects
Cornell University EV Fleet
We are actively developing a robust infrastructure for electric vehicles at Cornell University, including a network of renewably powered fast chargers and a fleet of EVs available for campus use.
Vieques Microgrid
Our project on Vieques, Puerto Rico, aims to establish a hydrogen-enabled, clean power microgrid to provide sustainable and resilient power for the entire island community of Vieques.
H2 Fuel Production
We are conducting cutting-edge research on renewable hydrogen fuel production, focusing on innovative and economical methods to generate, store, and utilize green hydrogen as a clean energy source.