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IDEA

Driving Change Towards a Sustainable Future

Our Mission

Advance sustainable energy decarbonizing solutions and dynamically address practical challenges

Train the next generation of scientists and engineers in energy supply chain

Collaborate and engage with our community

Our Vision

Carbon Neutrality in Every Industry

Enhancing Sustainability

Improving efficiency and reducing carbon capture cost.

We currently focus on 5 major areas of research including carbon capture, carbon dioxide conversion and utilization, hydrogen production and direct air capture, water treatment and material recovery.

Learn about our current research

 

$109M

of Grants Awarded

 

22

Patents Granted

 

5

Technologies Licensed/Transferred

Exceeding Expectations

We have stellar records with 15 returning partners! Including 10+ years with 7 of our partners.

We are currently engaged with over 50 partners and work on a variety of projects.

Discover our partner collaborations

Experts in Our Field
Top 1% in Carbon Capture. 149 Peer-reviewed publications.

Review our publications

Pioneering Innovations
Making an impact in key areas of decarbonization with 22 U.S. patents issued.

Read about IDEA patents

Global Recognition

Learn about our involvement in international carbon capture groups and consortium.

Carbon Management Research Group
CMRG

A Collaborative Industrial-State-Federal Partnership

Learn more about CMRG

International Test Center Network
ITCN

ITCN is a global coalition of facilities working to accelerate the research and development (R&D) of carbon capture technologies.

Visit the ITCN website

International Conference on Energy and Environment
ICEE

The 3rd International Conference on Energy and Environment was held on July 15-19, 2024.

Read about ICEE2024

E-Day 2025 Teaser Image #2

UK IDEA at E-Day 2025: Capturing Carbon with the Next Generation of Innovators

At E-Day 2025, UK IDEA joined thousands of students and families in celebrating science, engineering, and technology at one of Lexington’s most anticipated STEM outreach events. Through interactive demonstrations and hands-on learning, we introduced young minds to the cutting-edge research shaping the future of sustainable energy and decarbonization.

E-Day 2025

UK IDEA - February 2025 Report

In February 2025, UK IDEA made significant strides in decarbonization research and community engagement. The institute contributed new publications on carbon capture research, participated in an industry panel at PowerGen International 2025, and showcased interactive demonstrations at Engineer Day (E-Day) 2025 to inspire the next generation of innovators.

Image from UK IDEA Research Headquarters

PPL finalizes award for up to $72 million in federal funding from U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations

PPL Corporation announced today it has executed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations for an award up to $72 million to help fund a groundbreaking carbon dioxide capture research and development project.