NEWS RELEASE: Commerce announces $7 million to help Washington-based researchers, partners push the envelope in clean energy technology
Nine diverse projects selected for Washington State Clean Energy Fund matching grants include experimental building energy control systems and equipment, composite materials recycling, ocean energy, high-value nutrient recovery, intelligent energy storage systems and management, fuel cells and polymers for ultra-efficient planes and cars.
OLYMPIA, Wash.– The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced the next nine projects awarded matching grants from the state’s Clean Energy Fund to advance research and development of a wide range of clean technologies. The grants total just over $7 million and will be matched by another $12.3 million in non-state funding as spelled out in the winning project proposals.
The funding awards are conditional, pending execution of performance-based contracts with Commerce. The following grant recipients will be allowed to request reimbursement of eligible project costs as specified deliverables and milestones are accomplished.
Battelle Memorial Institute, the Pacific Northwest Division Operator of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
By continuing to support this ongoing U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded Transactive Campus project, Washington State is on the leading edge of developing a modern, intelligent electrical distribution system that could change the way consumers interact with their utility and help realize significant efficiency savings. The project will provide the infrastructure required to further integrate the campuses of Washington State University, University of Washington and PNNL under a transactive energy framework. Learn more about transactive control systems.
Battery Informatics, Inc.
This start-up that spun out of University of Washington is working on battery storage control systems that will greatly enhance the efficiency and lifespan of energy storage systems. Battery Informatics will acquire the capability to model and test the internal state of Lithium-ion batteries under various applications and conditions.
Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC), Port Angeles
Continued support for a project that has attracted the support of multiple partners including the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI). The CRTC will purchase advanced manufacturing equipment. CRTC will demonstrate viable commercial processes to create recycled carbon fiber materials with comparable strength and weight to virgin material for a fraction of the cost. The CRTC will create new opportunities to drive energy efficiency through lightweight materials for a variety of industries.
Demand Energy Networks
This project will deliver a scalable, state-of-the-art, hardware and software platform at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland. It is capable of assessing multiple critical aspects of energy storage systems necessary to evaluate new battery technologies, including advanced lead battery improvements from two Washington-based companies: EnerG2 and NextWatts. Demand energy’s platform will also optimize in real time the economic and environmental benefits of combining energy storage renewable energy in the electrical grid.
Dresser-Rand, a Siemens Business
Dresser-Rand will develop their HydroAir™ test facility in Redmond. The project will demonstrate, fabricate and assemble a Pneumatic Ocean Wave Test Facility to test HydroAir™, a variable radius turbine system that generates electric power from ocean waves.
Edaleen Cow Power, LLC
The Lynden, Wash.-based Edaleen Dairy will install an advanced solids/nutrient recovery system at its digester. This project will demonstrate and evaluate an emerging technology that extracts up to 35 percent nitrogen and 90 percent phosphorus from cattle waste. The opportunity to develop value-added products, such as fertilizers from waste, represents a major benefit to the dairy industry across the state and the nation.
Enwave Seattle
Enwave Seattle, formerly Seattle Steam Company, is field-testing advanced, patented absorption chillers for buildings. This project will demonstrate a new class of smaller, lighter and more efficient adsorption heat pumps that run off low-grade heat such as solar, geothermal, low-pressure steam and exhaust gas. The breakthrough technology was developed at PNNL.
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft, in partnership with McKinstry, is developing a fuel cell data center lab. The facility, located at McKinstry Seattle Innovation Center, will test and demonstrate highly efficient distributed fuel cell systems to power data centers and accelerate development of distributed fuel cell technology.
PolyDrop, LLC
Spun out of the University of Washington, this women-owned entrepreneurial company is developing lightweight conductive polymers as anti-static additives for coatings and plastics. This project will allow for the acquisition of equipment for characterization and testing of carbon fiber reinforced composite components to increase fuel efficiency of airplanes and automobiles.
“These new Clean Energy Fund grants extend our commitment to the people of Washington state, our research institutions and our visionary businesses that we can lead the way to a sustainable clean energy economy and a healthy environment for future generations,” said Gov. Jay Inslee.
“It is our mission to build strong, resilient communities that are prepared for climate change,” said Commerce Director Brian Bonlender. “Governor Inslee and the Legislature joined in supporting the Clean Energy Fund as a vital tool for our state in this fight. Funding these projects helps to ensure that Washington’s clean technology sector is a globally competitive force, creating jobs while also maintaining precious natural resources and quality of life in communities all over the state.”
Without these matching grants, worthy Washington-based research entities and partnerships with great potential could not compete for funding from federal and other non-state sources, according to Commerce officials.
Since 2013, the Washington Clean Energy Fund has invested $76 million to support the state’s research institutions, organizations, and clean technology companies. The fund’s primary goal is to provide public benefit through development, demonstration and deployment of technologies that save energy and reduce energy costs, reduce carbon emissions and otherwise increase energy independence for the state. Learn more about Washington’s Clean Energy Fund.
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Contact: Penny Thomas, commerce Press Office, (206) 256-6106