Work at the Advanced Transportation Energy Center, a project that Governor Mike Easley announced at N.C. State last week, will begin upon the reception of funding, according to John Gilligan, vice chancellor for research and graduate studies.

The Center, which is a collaborative effort by NCSU, Duke Energy and Progress Energy, will serve to develop technology for plug-in hybrid vehicles and other energy-saving devices.

Progress Energy has promised to supply $250,000 in the first year of the project, according to spokesperson Scott Sutton.

Tom Williams, director of energy policy communications for Duke Energy, said the company will give $1.5 million over five years.

Once the companies provide the funding, Gilligan said University faculty members will begin working in the Center, which will be located in the Partner’s I building on Centennial Campus.

Alex Huang, professor of electrical and computer engineering, will head up the project, according to Gilligan.

Huang could not be reached for comment last week.

Gilligan said the faculty involved with the Center will be primarily from the electrical engineering department, but will also include representatives from the chemical engineering department to work on the battery aspects.

The batteries for the plug-in hybrids will be one of the main focuses of the Center, according to Sutton. Some of the goals for these batteries are to reduce their charge time and increase their efficiency.

According to Gilligan, talks of a potential center began about six months ago, and began with Progress Energy.

“We started out talking with Progress Energy because they have a lot of ongoing support of N.C. State University,” he said.

This support, Gilligan said, includes scholarships and funding for undergraduate research.

“[Progress Energy] had noted as one of their areas of interest plug-in hybrids,” he said.

Gilligan said the University shared that interest and decided to develop a program along those lines.

According to Sutton, this project is part of a broader initiative by Progress Energy to address the challenge of energy demand and climate change.

“Investing in renewable and alternative energy sources, which advanced vehicle technology falls under for us, is one of the three key parts of our balance solution,” he said.

And both Progress and Duke Energy already own and use plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Sutton said Progress Energy purchased a Toyota Prius Hybrid last year and then contracted a group to convert it to a plug-in. Members of Progress Energy are driving and testing the vehicle.

Williams said Duke Energy uses this type of hybrid as well, and has 20 plug-in stations in its parking deck.

“We’ve been looking at plug-in hybrids for the last year and a half,” he said.

Sutton said the plug-in hybrid very easily gets up to 100 miles per gallon. This gas efficiency will reduce greenhouse gases, he said.

Williams also said the vehicles could have significant impacts on the environment.

“Plug-in hybrids or electric cars could de-carbonize transportation,” he said.