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About Us

An interdisciplinary research center focused on advancing the next generation of energy and autonomous technologies, CREATE exists at the intersection of technologies that enable resilient and responsive power and energy systems, as well as data-driven feedback control solutions.

To Better Serve People and Planet

Mountainous scene with graphic overlay featuring resilient energy icons

The future of society and the well-being of billions hinges on our ability to provide clean, affordable, and abundant energy. However, the current reliance on fossil fuels for energy generation is unsustainable. Thus, CREATE seeks to develop innovative ways of integrating renewable energy and demand-side resources into power grid operations, reducing dependence on fossil fuels

At the same time, autonomous technologies and control systems are transforming industries by increasing efficiency, reducing human error, improving safety, and enabling new capabilities that were previously unthinkable. In recent decades, engineered systems have become increasingly complex and so traditional methods for control and decision-making are no longer scalable. Thus, CREATE investigates new theory and methods for data-driven control of complex systems. 

Finally, At the intersection of autonomy and energy, our group carries out cutting-edge research in autonomous energy technologies, which will enable a sustainable energy future.

 

CREATE Center Thrusts

Foster a scholarly community

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Foster a scholarly community for externally funded R&D in autonomy and energy systems (e.g., autonomous energy grids).

CREATE Seminar hosted in Dewey Lounge

About our People

Collaborate with federal and industry partners

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Collaborate with federal and industry partners on impactful use-inspired research and structured outreach/partnerships, including student internships and venues for sharing expertise and experiences.

Graduate students learn about energy storage solutions being developed by Vermont-based KORE Power

About our Partnerships

Develop and Maintain Advanced Research Facilities

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New Energy technology being developed by Physics researchers

Develop and maintain a hybrid solar test center (HSTC) facility at the McNeil power plant to field-test new approaches to autonomous energy system development, optimization, and control.

Develop and create the Accelerated Testing Laboratory (ATL) on the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ campus for validating and testing energy systems and autonomous technologies for hybrid energy systems (HES), such as solar PV panels, energy storage, inverters, and electrolyzers.

Design and develop a Next-generation Energy Systems Simulation Testbed (NES2T) facility on the ¶¶Òõ̽̽ campus to facilitate both research and education in energy system resilience, autonomy, cyber-security, and optimization.

Amplify and support the Autonomous and Intelligent Systems Research Lab (AIR Lab) to drive the future of intelligent systems. Our research on data-driven and model-free estimation and control algorithms enable engineered systems to adapt to complex, real-world environments, pushing beyond traditional boundaries.

About our Facilities