9:03 a.m., July 26, 2010----The National Science Foundation (NSF) Solar Hydrogen Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) at the University of Delaware will hold its annual student-run conference, Energy and Sustainability 2010, from Sept. 23-25 at the Trabant University Center.

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The conference, co-sponsored by the University of Delaware Energy Institute (UDEI), will exhibit UD's commitment to achieving a more sustainable energy future and will highlight cutting edge energy research being undertaken by the research centers that are part of UDEI.

In addition to an energy showcase, many non-energy-focused sustainability issues will be addressed.

Energy and Sustainability 2010 will be free and open to all. Students, faculty, staff and the general public are invited to attend.

The conference has been designed to address issues relevant to a wide range of people -- public and private sector professionals (including policymakers), academics, and the general public.

All of the presenters at this year's conference are invited speakers, consisting mostly of UD faculty, with faculty from other universities and local and regional professionals participating, as well.

Energy research presentations will cover organic photovoltaics, next generation solar cells, biomass energy, magnetic storage devices, hydrogen fuel cells and more.

Sustainability presentation topics include eco-villages, green entrepreneurship, local foods, sustainable building and community design, permaculture and energy policy.

The last day of the conference is designed to address ways that the average citizen can achieve a more sustainable lifestyle and prepare to cope with a lower-carbon future. Many of the issues covered will be especially relevant to residents of Delaware.

The conference will also feature poster presentations given by graduate students, research centers, local sustainability programs, and companies. Poster sessions will take place throughout much of the conference and will give conference attendees opportunities to speak with professors, research students, and companies about various energy and sustainability issues.

The keynote speakers are Amanda Little, author of Power Trip: From Oil Wells to Solar Cells; Tom Gage, CEO of an electric vehicle design company, AC Propulsion; Toby Hemenway, renowned permaculturalist and author of Gaia's Garden: A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture; and Daniel Lerch, author of Post Carbon Cities: Planning for Energy and Climate Uncertainty and director of the Post Carbon Institute.

This year's conference will also feature an Oxford style debate about the merits and demerits of carbon cap-and-trade policy. The debate “teams” will each be comprised of two experts from various disciplines. Audience members will indicate which side they are on before and after the debate to determine who presented the more convincing argument.

Conference registration is free and open to the public at the Energy and Sustainability 2010 website.