Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame

About Us

Mission

The Center for Sustainable Energy at Notre Dame (cSEND) is a University Research Center whose mission is to advance innovative energy related research, education and outreach programs to address the global challenge of creating a sustainable energy future.

Objectives

Formed in 2011, cSEND is built upon foundations laid by the Notre Dame Energy Center (a College of Engineering research center, initiated in 2005), and the Sustainable Energy Initiative (a Strategic Research Investment, funded by the University). cSEND's strategy for sustained growth is to create a highly visible organization that coordinates, promotes and provides resources for all energy related activities on campus. cSEND will interact with centers and institutes, departments and colleges, and student groups across campus to promote, enhance, and develop energy related research initiatives and education and outreach programs for the Notre Dame and surrounding communities. The center's key objectives are:

To serve as a focal point for all energy related activities at Notre Dame.
To foster a community of scholarship on energy related research.
To facilitate interdisciplinary research activity.
To increase educational opportunities at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
To create opportunities and promote informed choices for socially responsible and ethical energy production and use internationally, nationally, locally and individually.
To ensure long-term financial viability of these activities at Notre Dame.

For more information about the Notre Dame Energy Center, its mission, research areas, and funded programs, click on the image.

People

Many individuals and groups play key roles in fulfilling the mission and objectives of cSEND. They are:

Faculty: More than ninety (90) faculty from twenty (20) departments across five (5) colleges are actively engaged in energy related research and/or teaching energy related courses at Notre Dame.
Administration: These individuals manage the daily operations of cSEND and direct strategic initiatives in research, education, and outreach.
Leadership Team: Three (3) members of the Notre Dame faculty, in addition to the cSEND Director and Associate Director, provide leadership and direction to cSEND's strategic growth and organizational performance.
Student Advisory Board: Nearly thirty (30) undergraduate and graduate students from across campus are selected each year to help plan and execute energy related education and outreach programs for the Notre Dame and surrounding communities.
Internal Advisory Board: Twenty-five (25) representatives from Notre Dame departments, centers, and groups meet regularly to share best practices and collaborate on new research, education, and outreach programs of similar interest.
Technical Advisory Board: Three (3) faculty members from major universities and national laboratories advise the cSEND Leadership Team on future research initiatives and other scholarly advancements.
Alumni Advisory Board: Five (5) members of the University’s engineering advisory council with expertise in energy field provide advice and input on cSEND’s strategic growth and financial direction to University Officers and cSEND Leadership.

Publications

Success Stories: Examples of cSEND's contributions to energy related research and education at Notre Dame.
Information Sheet: An overview of cSEND, its research areas, education and outreach programs, and people.
Annual Reports: Overviews of cSEND's research initiatives and education and outreach programs and activities during the fiscal year periods of July-June.

2011