International competition for energy resources, resulting in rising energy costs for consumers, tops daily news reports. Oil prices are at an all-time high. Historically, the cost and availability of various forms of energy have been cyclical. Many of us can remember waiting in long lines for gasoline and paying astronomical heating bills during the 1970 energy shortages.

However, today additional pressures on energy supply could mean high energy costs are here to stay. We're living through a period of unprecedented global economic growth. Developing nations such as China and India are rapidly becoming world economic powers. Simply put, the demand for energy is growing rapidly and outpacing supply.

As energy prices continue to rise and other factors come into play affecting optimal choices for energy supply and use, facility operators are faced with the task of reevaluating their energy infrastructure. In addition to high energy prices, factors such as reliability in the face of electric grid instability, fuel disruption, environmental regulations, conservation incentives, and physical threats such as terrorism must also be taken into account.

Battelle has a history of assisting facility operators and planners in providing comprehensive and objective technology- based support for making such evaluations. In addition, Battelle scientists have been directly involved in the development and evaluation of advanced energy technologies such as innovative cogeneration systems; fuel cells; renewable energy systems; and energy-conserving, end-use devices.

In the past, Battelle has conducted energy master planning studies for a number of major campus-like facilities including the Sewells Point Naval Complex, various Air Force Logistic Command Bases, the University of Cincinnati, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's A.W. Breidenbach Research Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and others. Energy master planning studies involve comprehensive reviews of facility energy flows, usage cycles, technologies used, and costs. Opportunities for reductions in energy use, efficiency improvements, and cost savings are identified from the results and recommended for implementation. Battelle has also developed and deployed the Decision Support for Operations and Management (DSOM) suite of technologies (see http:// www.pnl.gov/dsom/), which has helped various facility operators improve energy efficiency, increase reliability, and reduce cost.

For additional information on Battelle's Innovative Energy Solutions, please contact Dr. Steve Ricci at (614) 424-4359, ricci@battelle.org, or Mr. Dave Ball at (614) 424-4901, balld@battelle.org