May 31--FAIRMONT -- Energy is an integral part of everyone's lives and sometimes people take it for granted, Charles Zeh said during the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation's recent Energy Summit.

Charles Zeh manages the non-fossil energy work of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory as director of the Project Management Center. He was as one of several guest speakers at the "Energy Opportunities for West Virginia" seminar, held May 27 at the I-79 Technology Park Research Center in Fairmont.

Teaming to Win and the WVHTC Foundation's Affiliate Leadership Council co-sponsored the event. Jim Estep, president and CEO of the foundation, welcomed the packed audience to the Energy Summit, and Congressman Alan Mollohan provided opening remarks. The distinguished panelists then gave presentations related to energy opportunities in the state and West Virginia's energy future.

Individuals today live in a society that has an abundant and reliable energy supply, and the world's reliance on energy will increase, Zeh told the attendees.

"Our energy demands are going to grow in theâ??United States," he said. "There's going to be an ever-increasing demand for energy resources."

When looking at energy strategy, it's essential to consider all the major consequences and to aim for balanced solutions, Zeh said.

He said NETL has facilities in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Oregon and an annual budget of $1.66 billion for fiscal year 2009. More than 2,000 visitors come to the Morgantown site every year.

The laboratory manages about 1,800 projects in the United States and in 40 other countries, Zeh said. In terms of coal research and development, which drives technology to negligible emissions at reasonable cost, NETL is focusing on existing pulverized coal power plants and advanced coal-based energy systems.

The laboratory is involved in several projects related to infrastructure and energy-efficient activities.

Zeh said the buildings sector accounts for 39 percent of U.S. energy, 71 percent of electricity and 55 percent of natural gas. The Building America program is trying to solve the problem of residential buildings consuming more energy than necessary.

The Solid-State Lighting program is an effort to develop advanced solid-state lighting technologies by 2025 that are much more energy efficient, longer lasting and cost competitive than conventional lighting. In addition, the Advanced Vehicles Technology program is working to create sustainable, fuel-flexible vehicles that save energy, Zeh said.

Jeff Herholdt, director of the West Virginia Division of Energy, said 72 percent of West Virginia coal is exported, and 28 percent is consumed in the state.