Lugar Center for Renewable Energy (LCRE) Director Dr. Schubert Travels to Malta to Discuss Energy Policy and Sustainability

Dear Blog Readers:

One of the things I discivered after learning about Dr. Schubert’s trip to Malta is that this small country adopted a feed-in tariff (FIT)

• Review a copy of Malta’s feed-in tariff legislation here. 423.46_Malta feed-in tariff
• Review a PowerPoint presentation explaing their feed-in tariff. See http://www.mra.org.mt/Downloads/licences/FIT%20Scheme%202011.pdf

Perhaps we can engage Dr. Schubert in a conversation or webinar about what he learned in renewable energy in Malta. Please send your thoughts to: Laura.Arnold@indianadg.net.

Laura Ann Arnold

P.S. You may also want to attend the Lugar Center’s 6th Annual Energy Forum entitled,  “Waste to Energy, Chemicals, Fuels and Heat.” on Friday, May 18, 2012 at the University Place Hotel and Conference Center, 850 W. Michigan Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202. For details and to register visit: http://www.lugarenergycenter.org/?q=node/100

From InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?id=53380 

The director of the Lugar Center for Renewable Energy (LCRE) at IUPUI is representing the United States on a mission to Malta. Peter Schubert is meeting with educators, students and government officials to discuss energy policy and sustainability.

April 25, 2012

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Dr. Peter J. Schubert, Director of the Lugar Center for Renewable Energy at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) is on a mission in Malta to represent the U.S. in providing renewable energy insights to the European island nation. From April 22–26, Schubert is traversing the country, touring schools, universities, government entities, and NGOs to discuss climate change and policy, as part of Malta’s preparation for the United Nation’s Rio+20 Sustainable Development conference this summer.

“Energy and climate are two vital topics that have significant and far-reaching implications for every country – and each person – on this planet,” said Schubert. “They are global issues that have to be addressed by leaders on a comprehensive, world-wide scale, but which also require attention to detail and the participation of ‘average citizens’ on a daily basis. That’s why we are so pleased for this opportunity to work with Malta towards lasting micro- and macro-level change for a better energy future.”

Schubert began his visit Monday with a tour of the country’s new Xrobb l-Ghagin Nature Park and Sustainable Development Centre, opened in April 2011 to increase education and research into sustainable environmental solutions, particularly renewable energy. While there, he spoke with a group of 150 secondary students, sharing remarks and answering questions on climate change and initiatives to mitigate its effects using renewable energy, recycling and cutting down on waste.

Later that day, Schubert also met with a World Bank-supported Maltese economic development group, and participated in a climate change and mitigation panel for university students, faculty, NGOs and the general public.

“[Dr. Schubert] is meeting with government of Malta Ministers, members of Parliament, and members of Malta’s energy and planning authorities to discuss alternative energy policy,” explained Embassy spokesperson Elijah Waterman. “His expertise will contribute greatly to Malta’s ongoing debate on environmental sustainability, the introduction of alternative sources of energy and the most appropriate renewable energy options for the Maltese Islands.”

The second half of the tour consists of meetings with EkoSkola Malta students and leaders in Gozo, a pristine and picturesque island just north of Malta that has been targeted by the Maltese government to become an environmentally and economically sustainable “eco-island” by 2020. Back in Malta, Schubert will conduct meetings with the Agribusiness Institute, Malta Environment and Planning Authority, and the Malta Intelligent Energy Management Agency.

Maltese officials are looking to collaborate with American energy experts and the Lugar Center for Renewable Energy at IUPUI as they prepare for the Rio+20 Conference, to be hosted by the UN in Brazil this summer. At the Rio+20 Conference, Maltese officials will join world leaders, along with thousands of participants from governments, the private sector, NGOs and other groups, as they come together to further develop and shape ideas on how to reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection to build a better future on an increasingly crowded planet.

The Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy was established at IUPUI in 2008 to address the urgent societal needs for clean, affordable and renewable energy sources, improve the nation’s energy security and reduce the negative impacts of climate change. Its primary mission is to promote research excellence, innovation and technology transfer through synergistic partnerships with industry, academia, government and communities, and to disseminate these findings for maximum impact.

About the Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy:

The Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy was established to address the urgent societal needs for clean, affordable and renewable energy sources, improve the nation’s energy security and reduce the negative impacts of climate change. Its primary mission is to promote research excellence in the area of renewable energy through collaborative efforts among faculty in the disciplines of engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, public policy and environmental affairs. It will promote renewable energy applications through teaching, learning, civic engagement and synergistic partnerships with industry, government labs and local communities. Visit http://lugarenergycenter.iupui.edu/ to find out more.

About the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI:

The mission of the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI is to be one of the best urban university leaders in the disciplines of engineering and technology recognized locally, nationally and internationally. The school’s goal is to provide students an education that will give them the leverage to be leaders in their communities, industry and society. For additional information on the School of Engineering & Technology, go to http://www.engr.iupui.edu.

About IUPUI:

Created as a partnership between two world-renowned universities and destined to be the state’s urban research and academic health sciences campus, IUPUI has rapidly grown in size and stature since it was established in 1969. The partnership between the state’s two major public universities – Indiana University and Purdue University – enables IUPUI to bring together a tremendous range of degree programs in 21 schools and academic units for nearly 30,000 students who earn their degrees from Indiana University or Purdue University. Today, IUPUI is the third strong pillar supporting public higher education in Indiana. For more information on IUPUI, go to http://www.iupui.edu.