GE Aviation announced on Nov. 22 its intent to locate a new Electrical Power Integrated Systems Research and Development Center (EPISCENTER) on the University of Dayton campus in Dayton, Ohio. The proposed site is located in the Ohio Aerospace Hub of Innovation.
"We created the Ohio Hubs of Innovation and Opportunity program to recognize the unique strengths of our cities and help them do more of what they do best. And we began the Hub program right here in Dayton because of the incomparable concentration of aerospace talent, facilities, and resources from the government, academic, and private sectors," said Ohio Governor Ted Strickland.
The $51 million center will be built on about eight acres on the University of Dayton's campus. The 115,000 square foot facility is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2012 and operational by the end of 2012.
"The center's close proximity to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and the University of Dayton Research Institute is important in order to provide significant new support to the Air Force Research Labs and the University," said Vic Bonneau, president, Electrical Power Systems for GE Aviation. "The University's researchers will work with GE to develop and deploy cutting-edge computer modeling, simulation and analysis of advanced, dynamic electric power systems design and controls."
The center will be directed at several markets including end-to-end electrical power starter/ generation, conversion, distribution, and load technologies for civil and military aerospace applications.
In March this year, GE announced it would build the EPISCENTER in or near Dayton. The project was enabled by an Ohio Third Frontier capital grant for up to $7.6 million.
The EPISCENTER will complement GE Aviation's new Electrical Power Integrated Center located in Cheltenham, UK, which will be fully operational by March 2011.