By the late 1950s, North Dakota's economy shifted due to new energy sources and advancements in technology and transportation. UND expanded its research and infrastructure, adapting to the evolving energy landscape. Federal partnerships facilitated growth, leading to an all-of-the-above energy strategy that continues today through ongoing innovation.
The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) has focused on innovative energy solutions for 75 years, emphasizing patents to protect research, attract investment, and promote practical applications in the field.
The EERC originated from North Dakota's need to efficiently utilize lignite coal, evolving into a vital institution through collaboration and innovation over the past 75 years amidst economic challenges and changing energy demands.
The new Materials Exploration (MatEx) facility is a 28,700-square-foot, high-hazard occupancy building designed to accelerate the development and testing of next-generation energy technologies.
Explore a year of transformative milestones at the EERC, from pioneering research in carbon sequestration and pipeline safety to influential legislative changes securing $7.5 million biennial funding for innovative projects. Join the journey of the EERC's 40th anniversary celebration, visionary leadership speeches, global collaborations, and community outreach, showcasing a commitment to sustainable energy solutions and positive regional impact.
The EERC received a visit from North Dakota’s Interim Legislative Workforce Committee on Thursday, for a discussion on the benefits and challenges posed by autonomous systems.
Instead of a single, fixed physical site, a hydrogen hub represents a comprehensive network uniting hydrogen producers, transporters, and consumers, all contributing to the advancement and commercialization of a hydrogen-based energy market.
From early settlers who saw potential in North Dakota coal mines, to researchers who saw a need to expand the uses of our vast resources, we recognize the pioneers that laid the groundwork for what we are today.
February 28 marks the 40th anniversary of the EERC. In 1983, the Grand Forks Energy Technology Center (GFETC) was transferred from the DOE Office of Fossil Energy to UND. The 28th of February 1983 also happened to be the University’s 100th anniversary: a momentous shift befitting such an occasion.
The EERC logo was designed by Terrie Mann, the head of our Graphics Department. Around 1987, what had been known as the Energy Research Center had just merged with the North Dakota Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute. With that combination of entities came a new name: the Energy and Mineral Research Center (EMRC).
