Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative update

The Northwest Energy Technology Collaborative (NWETC) has been involved in several exciting opportunities over the past quarter. One such project was the participation in Poised for Profit II, the regional study on the economic opportunity in smart energy technology. The study was released at events in Portland and Seattle. The Poised for Profit II study identifies an emerging Northwest industry cluster of world-class smart energy companies and research institutions, and ripe investment opportunities in a growing smart energy sector that the report currently values at $15 billion.

http://www.watechcenter.org/news/2004winter/nwetc.html

Poised for Profit II builds on the original report issued in 2001, which projected that the Northwest could have 32,000 jobs in advanced energy technologies by 2020 if the right incentives and policy framework opportunities are developed. The report identified a global clean energy market of $180 billion annually, equal to twice the size of the passenger and cargo aircraft industry. NWETC was one of the founding supporters of the study and will put the data to use in developing a regional organization. NWETC also sponsored two energy meetings in Portland in mid-November. In conjunction with the Poised for Profit II rollout in Portland, NWETC sponsored a smart energy roundtable organized by the Portland Business Alliance.

In additional to event support and participation, NWETC sponsored a new technologies segment at the bi-national Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Winter Summit in Portland. Along with Canadian Consulate General and PNWER, NWETC participated in day-long talks with regional leaders on energy. The Pacific Northwest/Western Canada Energy Roundtable focused on moving past talk to next steps on implementing a regional vision. News clips from the event and copies of presentations can be found at http://www.pnwer.org.

Additional NWETC activities include the launch of a K–12 education project in Washington State in cooperation with collaborative partners—the Bonneville Power Administration, Washington State Community Trade and Economic Development Energy Division, and Avista Labs. The project includes the delivery of the first operating fuel cell to Central Washington to be installed at the Central Washington University Engineering department for experiments and to be part of a K–12 hydrogen learning center. Simultaneously to the fuel cell being delivered and installed, curriculum has been developed to train 200 teachers in Washington State to conduct six days of classroom work on our hydrogen future and fuel cells. Each teacher will receive a PEM fuel cell car kit for the classroom once they have completed the training.

NWETC is active in developing new relationships, promoting regional developments, and supporting region wide initiatives to increase the awareness and growth in the development of energy technologies and programs.

Hold the date!
The first regional New Energy Technology Showcase will be held Tuesday, July 13, 2004 in Victoria, B.C. Twenty-five of the best new energy technology companies in the region will present their technology to lead purchasers and engineers from utilities across the Northwest. Afterwards, utility personnel will lead a discussion of day-to-day issues they face as well as new ideas and products to solve these issues. This one-day event will be held during the four day summer summit of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region. The National Energy Council will also conduct meeting during the same four days creating a huge energy event. If you are interested in sponsoring this event or participating, e-mail Jeff Morris: mailto:

More information about NWETC can be found at http://www.nwetc.com/.