Energy experts unite to advance research
By Christine McManus
Michael Seamans/The Coloradoan
Dr. Sunil Cherian, CEO of Spirae Inc., addresses community leaders and entrepreneurs about clean energy innovations Thursday. |
Coloradoan
May 19, 2006
What if the local electric power grid could simply plug into renewable power from the sun and the wind?
What if scientists and engineers at several Colorado colleges collaborated and put their clean energy innovations into private, profitable, global business models?
Welcome to the brave new world of clean energy, Northern Colorado.
After a nine-month gestation, leaders of the new Northern Colorado Clean Energy Cluster announced their official formation to a crowd of about 100 Thursday at the Fort Collins City Council chambers.
The cluster is a fast-growing, regional web of entrepreneurs, scientists, engineers, international business people, economic developers and local and state political officials.
Key members of the cluster at Colorado State University are also partnering with scientists at the University of Colorado, the Colorado School of Mines and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to make Colorado an international magnet for renewable energy research.
Their ultimate goal? To make energy independence viable for homes, transportation, offices and industry. If the cluster achieves its long-term vision, Fort Collins could serve as a model for cities around the world.
Likening Colorado's new clean energy movement to the gold rush in the 1850s, Drew Bolin announced $225,000 in grants to fund a "smart grid" lab.
|
