Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – LSU Institute for Energy Innovation

The LSU Institute for Energy Innovation follows a structured and competitive process to select research projects for funding. The process includes the following steps:

1. Solicitation of Ideas – Identifying key energy innovation topics through faculty and industry engagement.
2. Development of RFP – Creating a Request for Proposals (RFP) based on priority research areas selected in response to the solicitation of ideas.
3. Distribution of RFP – Sharing the RFP with faculty across LSU and partner institutions.
4. Industry-Faculty Energy Innovation Workshop – Bringing together researchers and industry representatives to discuss real-world challenges and potential solutions.
5. Symposium for Faculty – Providing an opportunity for faculty to refine ideas and network with potential collaborators from LSU and Southern University.
6. Research Proposals Submitted – Faculty teams led by an LSU researcher formally submit proposals for funding consideration.
7. Internal Review by the Institute – Initial review by the Institute leadership to ensure alignment with institutional and funding priorities.
8. External Academic Review – Proposals are sent to third-party external subject-matter experts for anonymous independent evaluation of academic merit and relevance.
9. Selection of Projects – The Institute works with the LSU Office of Research & Economic Development to select the most promising projects based on review scores and alignment with mission objectives within the Institute’s budget for the round.
10. Institute Advisory Board Approval – Final budgetary and relevance approval is given by the Institute’s Advisory Board before funding is awarded.

Louisiana State University is a public university that serves the State of Louisiana and its citizens.  As a land-grant university, LSU was founded to serve the public and to engage in use-inspired research.  As a result, public service and use-inspired research are important goals of the Institute. 

The Institute seeks input from local, state, and federal government on energy-related research topics that can help public understanding and that can make a positive impact on governmental goals.  We also seek input from industry and nonprofits to identify challenges and opportunities that can benefit from university-led research.  We engage in general outreach through speaking opportunities and participation in public hearings to promote our work and to get input from the general public.  The Institute also shares its research findings and progress through a monthly newsletter and monthly webinars led by Institute-funded researchers. 

For general inquiries, the Institute can be contacted at energyinnovation@LSU.edu.

Yes, the Institute requires quarterly progress and financial reports to ensure accountability and track milestones for each funded project. This reporting structure ensures that:

• Researchers are making measurable progress toward their stated goals.
• Funding is being utilized effectively and ethically.
• Project outcomes align with the original intent of the research proposal.

In addition to financial and progress reports, the Institute’s Advisory Board, its Academic Advisory Committee, and external reviewers may provide additional oversight or guidance as needed

Industry partners play an advisory role in identifying research sectors and challenges, and ensuring that findings can have real-world applications. Their involvement occurs at several stages:

• Industry–Faculty Workshops – Industry representatives participate in brainstorming and knowledge-sharing sessions to help define research needs and parameters.
• Collaborative Projects – In some cases, industry partners may co-fund or provide in-kind resources for projects. Industry also may supply data that is used in a research project.
• Technical Guidance – Industry experts can advise on feasibility, implementation, and potential applications of the research.

Industry participation is subject to important restrictions that include:

• Industry partners cannot influence research outcomes or modify methodologies to serve proprietary interests.
• Research must be independent, with faculty maintaining full control over project execution and findings.

Yes.  Our researchers receive LSU’s Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). In addition, researchers receive training to avoid Financial Conflicts of Interest (FCOI), as required by LSU’s Policy Statement 98.   As an explicit condition of receiving funding from the Institute for Energy Innovation, all funded researchers agree to uphold the research integrity requirements found in LSU Policy Statement 69 and Policy Statement 98 and all other university guidelines and mandates governing the ethical and responsible conduct of research found HERE.

The Institute makes all of its research public via its website.  As a result, all research is subject to public scrutiny.  Additionally, much of our research will be published in peer-reviewed publications, which will subject the research to a high level of academic review.

The Institute prioritizes research areas that align with Louisiana’s energy needs, industry trends, and global challenges. These work streams are determined based on:

• State & National Energy Priorities – Alignment with Louisiana’s energy transition and national decarbonization goals.
• Industry Input – Industry partners highlight challenges that require innovative research solutions.
• Faculty Expertise – LSU’s research strengths in fields like carbon capture, hydrogen, renewables, and grid resilience.
• Community & Environmental Justice Needs – Ensuring that energy innovations benefit all communities equitably – both those that have historically served the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries and those that have not benefitted from the success of these industries in the past.

These work streams are refined through stakeholder engagement and updated as energy challenges evolve.

Yes, the Institute for Energy Innovation welcomes media inquiries and can facilitate interviews with faculty researchers on a wide range of energy topics. Media representatives can contact the Institute directly to coordinate interviews based on availability and expertise.

Yes, several funded projects have produced real-world impacts. Examples include:

• Floating Solar for Industrial Water Treatment – Research on photovoltaic panels in Louisiana’s water bodies to support energy resilience.
• AI-Driven Site Selection for Carbon Storage – Using machine learning to identify safe and effective carbon sequestration sites.
• Hurricane-Resilient Solar Energy Design – Designing solar panel structures optimized for Louisiana’s extreme weather conditions.

These projects have helped industry partners, policymakers, and communities make informed decisions about clean energy adoption and resilience planning.

The Institute currently has four full-time staff members with the responsibilities listed:

• Executive Director – Responsible for the overall direction of the Institute’s operations and research.
• Associate Director for Community Engagement – Leads the Institute’s work on local outreach, which includes oversight of the Institute’s Local Outreach Working Group and working with communities, governments, and companies on planning for community improvements in connection with energy-related projects.
• Research Coordinator – Manages the Institute’s research activities including the research selection process, financial and operational reporting, assisting researchers with obtaining information or expertise, and publication of research findings.
• Executive Assistant – Handles the Institute’s business operations, events, and communications.

The Institute expects to employ additional full-time and part-time staff, and may share fractional employees with other groups at LSU.

View our staff's bios here.

The Institute for Energy Innovation is one of several groups at LSU that work in the energy sector.  The Institute is funded solely by private donations and proceeds from outside grants. 

The Institute collaborates closely with the LSU Center for Energy Studies, which is an entity that was created by the Louisiana State Legislature to provide energy information and analysis that responds to the needs of the legislature, public agencies, and business and civic groups. Faculty and staff at the Center for Energy Studies respond regularly to requests from a wide variety of individuals and institutions for specialized energy data and information.  The Institute and the Center for Energy Studies work jointly on energy education and outreach projects to serve K-12 education and the public at large.

Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) is an independent organization that is housed at LSU and is funded by the National Science Foundation.  FUEL serves the entire state of Louisiana and is not focused on LSU.  FUEL works jointly with the Institute and the Center for Energy Studies on several energy-related initiatives where all three entities contribute resources.  The Institute and the Center for Energy Studies also are eligible to apply for projects that are funded by FUEL.

The Institute, the Center for Energy Studies, and FUEL all report to LSU’s Vice President for Research and Economic Development.