Notifications regarding new Clean Buildings Performance Standard are in the mail; building owners encouraged to help refine agency’s data

Notifications regarding new Clean Buildings Performance Standard are in the mail; building owners encouraged to help refine agency’s data

Multifamily residential buildings such as apartment and condominium buildings are not subject to new standard OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce mailed notification letters last week to owners of large commercial buildings who might need to comply with Washington’s new Clean Buildings Performance Standard. The standard applies to certain commercial buildings larger than 50,000 gross square feet, excluding the parking garage area. The notifications are a first…

Commerce awards over $8.7 million to increase energy efficiency and solar in public buildings

Commerce awards over $8.7 million to increase energy efficiency and solar in public buildings

Competitive process identifies 39 proposed projects at school district, higher education, local and state government facilities that will reduce operational costs and CO2 emissions. OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $8.7 million in grants to local governments, schools and state agencies for 39 proposed projects all over the state that will increase energy efficiency and solar energy use and reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. “Because…

First impressions, crucial conversations

By Lisa Brown, Director It’s hard to believe that a month has passed since I accepted Gov. Inslee’s appointment to lead the Department of Commerce. I knew this was going to be an exciting opportunity for me to apply my experience in government, health science and economics to advance the agency’s mission of strengthening communities all over the state. If these first weeks are any indication, I’m in for a…

Snohomish PUD Breaks Ground on Microgrid and Clean Energy Technology Center

Snohomish PUD Breaks Ground on Microgrid and Clean Energy Technology Center

This project represents new technology and an approach that offers grid resiliency and renewable energy integration. The project will include a 500-kilowatt solar array with smart inverters, a 1,000 kW/1,000 kWh lithium-ion battery storage system and several vehicle-to-grid charging stations for use with the PUD’s electric fleet vehicles. Grants from the Washington Clean Energy Fund Grid Modernization Program helped deliver the energy storage elements that enable these and other exciting…

State delegation connects with new tech, new business in Germany

State delegation connects with new tech, new business in Germany

Following is a brief wrap-up from Commerce International Trade Specialist Andrew Crowder on this year’s ChooseWashington delegation to Hannover Messe 2018. Where could you see German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Mexican President Pena Nieto fist bump a robot? Hannover Messe, of course! With 5,800 exhibitors and 210,000 professional trade visitors, “the Messe” is the largest industrial trade show in the world. The interplay between automation and energy technology, IT platforms…

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $500K in Washington state maritime sector innovation

“Washington Maritime Blue 2050” project aims to lead the nation in sustainable ocean industry technology and practices, earns regional innovation strategy grant OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce was awarded a $500,000 grant through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Regional Innovation Strategies (RIS) program to support Washington Maritime Blue 2050, a statewide vision for creating and expanding the nation’s most sustainable ocean industry and technology cluster.…

Commerce awards $2.3 million for clean energy research and development

Commerce awards $2.3 million for clean energy research and development

Impact Bioenergy, Janicki Bioenergy, Oscilla Power, SuperCritical Technologies and Zunum Aero selected for latest round of Washington State Clean Energy Fund grants OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced five projects awarded matching grants from the state’s Clean Energy Fund to advance research and development in clean power technologies. They include innovative wave energy technology, a hybrid aircraft, bioenergy and small-scale electric power generation. The grants…

NEWS RELEASE: Washington State’s Composite Recycling Technology Center wins $500K “Innovation Accelerator” grant, debuts first retail product at Museum of Flight

NEWS RELEASE: Washington State’s Composite Recycling Technology Center wins $500K “Innovation Accelerator” grant, debuts first retail product at Museum of Flight

U.S. Commerce Asst. Secretary Jay Williams announces funding to promote investment in manufacturing communities, demonstrates world’s first product from uncured carbon fiber composite scrap SEATTLE, Wash. – Many times stronger than steel and less than half the weight of aluminum, carbon fiber composite scrap – once considered worthless – took center stage today in a press conference with a twist, hosted by the Washington State Department of Commerce at the…

Composite Recycling Technology Center partners with U.S. Dept. of Energy

Composite Recycling Technology Center partners with U.S. Dept. of Energy

Commerce Director Brian Bonlender joined Sen. Maria Cantwell and other federal, state and local dignitaries to celebrate an important Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Department of Energy’s Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing (IACMI) Innovation and our own Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) with partners at the city and Port of Port Angeles, Peninsula College and Clallam County.  The CRTC is funded in part by a grant from the Washington…