INEF Archives - سԹ /category/inef/ Washington State University | Tri-Cities Thu, 05 Dec 2024 18:41:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 سԹ INEF Director Noel Schulz elected to IEEE board /wsu-tri-cities-inef-director-noel-schulz-elected-to-ieee-board/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 18:41:08 +0000 /?p=118870 Washington State University Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures’ (INEF) Director Noel Schulz was recently elected to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Board of Directors.

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By Carmine Hanks

Washington State University Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures’ (INEF) Director Noel Schulz was recently elected to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Board of Directors.

The IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization known for bringing together engineers, scientists, and professionals to promote the development of technology and its applications worldwide. Schulz, Bob Ferguson Endowed Professor, will serve as the Division VII Director-Elect for 2025 and Division VII Director for 2026 and 2027. She will steer IEEE initiatives and policies that enhance the organization’s mission to foster technological innovation for the benefit of humanity.

“I am deeply honored to join the IEEE Board of Directors,” Schulz said. “This role represents an opportunity to collaborate with global leaders in engineering and technology, ensuring IEEE continues to be at the forefront of innovation and professional development.

Many of today’s pressing engineering challenges are in power and energy and demand complex, cross-cutting solutions. Schulz’s strategic vision and commitment to finding opportunities in challenges will be pivotal in guiding IEEE’s efforts to tackle critical societal issues such as energy transition, climate change, and technological equity.

“The engineering community eagerly anticipates her contributions, confident that her expertise and leadership will enhance IEEE’s mission,” said Partha Pande, interim dean of the WSU Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. “In this leadership position, Schulz represents to an international audience the importance of ongoing support for academic institutions such as WSU in preparing a qualified and resourceful future workforce.”

Previously, Schulz served as a volunteer leader for 12 years on the IEEE Power & Engineering Society (PES) Governing Board, including two years as PES president. The Division VII Director position is elected by the 38,000+ members of the IEEE PES, reflecting the trust and respect Schulz has garnered among IEEE members globally.

Schulz has made significant impacts in the field of power and energy, one of the key areas encompassed by Division VII, which also includes industry applications and electronic materials. Before becoming INEF’s director, Schulz served as the Edmund O. Schweitzer III Chair in Power Apparatus and Systems at WSU, where she built an exceptional career focused on power systems engineering, academic leadership, and energy sustainability.

Additionally, Schulz brings expertise in coordinating global efforts and humanitarian work. She was the U.S. administrative lead for the Department of Energy-funded U.S.-India Collaborative for Smart Distribution Systems with Storage (UI-ASSIST) and worked to bring electricity to Harnoo village in India, significantly enhancing its women’s quality of life and economic security.

“Noel will do great things in this role,” stated Sandra Haynes, chancellor for سԹ. “As a renowned engineer and educator, this achievement spotlights Noel’s longstanding contributions to the engineering community and her leadership in advancing innovation and talented individuals within the field.”

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Momentum toward a clean energy future evident at سԹ Institute for Northwest Energy Futures open house /momentum-toward-a-clean-energy-future-evident-at-wsu-tri-cities-institute-for-northwest-energy-futures-open-house/ Thu, 24 Oct 2024 21:28:04 +0000 /?p=118589 With more than 200 attendees at the ribbon-cutting and open house for Washington State University Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) it was evident that there is momentum behind INEF's vision for a future where clean energy systems harmonize with the environment, economy, and society.

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By Carmine Hanks

With more than 200 attendees at the ribbon-cutting and open house for Washington State University Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF), it was evident that there is momentum behind INEF’s vision for a future where clean energy systems harmonize with the environment, economy, and society.

The grand opening on Oct. 2 featured remarks from WSU leadership, federal and state government officials and a proclamation read by the mayor of Richland.

“Acquiring this building as INEF’s new home is both the culmination of years of hard work and the beginning of a new era in clean energy innovation,” said سԹ Chancellor, and longtime INEF champion, Sandra Haynes.

The INEF building, located in the Tri-Cities Research District just a few blocks from the سԹ campus, features a high bay and four laboratory spaces being offered for lease. Office spaces include hoteling spaces for visiting WSU faculty and staff and a large open space waiting to be converted into a community classroom by a sponsor.

Haynes noted that INEF’s location in the Tri-Cities positions سԹ to utilize the decarbonized energy resources found in the region while also developing strategic partnerships with local industry for research and development, scalability testing, trusted analysis to guide change, and readying the energy-sector workforce.

INEF was spearheaded with a gift from Tri-Citian Bob Ferguson, who knew that an institute such as INEF could help solidify the Tri-Cities as a model energy hub. A few years later, Governor Jay Inslee and the Washington state legislature, also supported the institute with funds allowing for the appointment of the Inaugural Director and Bob Ferguson Endowed Professor, Noel Schulz, three assistant directors, seven faculty and six staff members.

“It was exciting to welcome the community to our open house today to learn about INEF’s systems approach to clean energy,” remarked Schulz.

The event was a testament to the Washingtonian community that supports INEF. Congressman Dan Newhouse also recognized INEF’s potential, advocating that the work accomplished at INEF will influence policies across the state and serve as a model for others to follow. Governor Jay Inslee sent a recorded message confirming his ongoing support for INEF’s mission. WSU President Kirk Schulz expressed his admiration for the community’s support for another new initiative that fulfills WSU’s value as a land-grant University.

INEF is also playing a leading role in bridging siloes in the WSU system and will work to coordinate research and industry partners from across the energy sector. “We know the sum can be greater than the parts,” notes Schulz.

Self-guided tours of the building allowed attendees to see the space, and learn more about WSU energy research, education and outreach from close to 65 individuals representing more than 25 entities from across the WSU system who attended the inaugural INEF-sponsored Energy Summit earlier in the day.

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Open house showcases how سԹ Institute for Northwest Energy Futures will help meet clean energy challenges /open-house-showcases-how-wsu-tri-cities-institute-for-northwest-energy-futures-will-help-meet-clean-energy-challenges/ Mon, 09 Sep 2024 17:08:55 +0000 /?p=118223 The Washington State University Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures invites the community to an open house and ribbon-cutting.

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How are we going to meet the clean energy demands of the future? The Washington State University Tri-Cities Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) invites the community to learn the answer to this vital question at an open house and ribbon-cutting on Wednesday, Oct. 2 from 4:30 – 6 p.m.

The transition to clean energy is a complex, multi-stakeholder problem that INEF is positioned to tackle by coordinating and connecting WSU energy efforts and partners to innovate systems-level clean energy and carbon-neutral solutions. “The complexity of the energy ecosystem requires us to work beyond traditional boundaries and technical silos,” says Noel Schulz, INEF’s inaugural director. “INEF is excited to collaborate across the WSU system and with the state of Washington.”

Schulz is joined by Assistant Director for Engineering and Environment, Yonas Demissie; Assistant Director for Agriculture, Extension and Outreach, Chad Kruger; and the new WSU Energy Program Director, Georgine Yorgey. “These talented leaders embody the multifaceted and comprehensive approach INEF is taking toward a clean energy future,” said Schulz.

INEF has identified nearly 30 groups in the WSU system involved in energy-related efforts. Its goal is to connect these groups, along with policymakers, other researchers and stakeholders, with the ideas, expertise and analytics to create actionable solutions. In addition to growing these connections, INEF plans to leverage سԹ’ ongoing educational activities and capabilities along with the Tri-Cities regional energy hub to develop the needed workforce.

The open house serves as an opportunity to further educate stakeholders and the community at large about how it will work as a connector, bringing various entities together to form the bigger solution.

Sandra Haynes, chancellor at سԹ, spearheaded the institute in 2021 along with a $500,000 gift from the late Bob Ferguson, a visionary leader at the Hanford site and سԹ advocate. INEF was solidified in July 2023 after Gov. Inslee and the Washington Legislature approved funding to hire administrators, staff and faculty. “We are so excited to have INEF up and running and in a space of its own. This has been a vision for so many of us and I am pleased to welcome the community to come see how we are responding to the big questions involved with moving from clean up to clean energy.”

INEF is located at 2892 Pauling Ave., in Richland. The open house will feature brief remarks from WSU leadership and stakeholders, tours, interactive displays and networking opportunities. For those interested in attending, registration is requested by completing a

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New, old WSU energy initiatives partner to provide sustainable solutions /new-old-wsu-energy-initiatives-partner-to-provide-sustainable-solutions/ Tue, 02 Apr 2024 17:47:19 +0000 /?p=116455 Washington State University’s new Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) is partnering with the WSU Extension Energy Program to innovate solutions for a tricky Northwest problem: How to better supply affordable, sustainable energy to the people and enterprises of Washington state?

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Washington State University’s newInstitute for Northwest Energy Futures(INEF) is partnering with the WSU Extension Energy Program to innovate solutions for a tricky Northwest problem: How to better supply affordable, sustainable energy to the people and enterprises of Washington state?

The institute is led by inaugural Director Noel Schulz, WSU’s first lady and professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Portrait of Noel Schulz.

“INEF is committed to building bridges with the WSU Extension Energy Program to address the pressing energy challenges facing our region,” Schulz said. “Through this partnership, we aim to position Washington for a cleaner energy future by taking initiative on key decarbonization goals while continuing to meet our energy needs.”

To better connect each institution, long-standing WSU Extension faculty member Chad Kruger has been appointed as the INEF assistant director for Extension, agriculture, and outreach. Kruger, who directs WSU’s(CSANR), a WSU Extension program with a history of energy-related work, will now split his responsibilities between INEF and CSANR.

The new institute will draw on the boots-on-the-ground expertise of WSU Extension’s Energy Program, a public-serving project with roots in the 1970s that began in response to the energy crises of that decade.

Portrait of Chad Kruger.

“The Extension Energy Program brings a track record of addressing real-world energy challenges in the Northwest and beyond,” Kruger said. “They have over 40 years’ experience of practical energy impacts and outreach.”

Kruger himself has worked on a range of energy initiatives across Extension and WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, from food production to food processing and storage. With this new partnership, he sees potential for bridging WSU energy research and academics with Extension outreach and service.

The WSU Extension Energy Program operates similarly to a consulting firm. Self-funded through contracts, the program offers information and expertise to businesses, utilities, local governments, tribes, schools, and consumers.

Its main area of focus is Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. Projects also bring WSU expertise to other states and countries. Contracts with Nike, for example, led to proposed energy-saving initiatives for manufacturing plants in Vietnam and China.

Jim Colombo, interim director of the WSU Extension Energy Program, often sees the significant cost and energy savings that can result from seemingly minor adjustments to business operations.

“Organizations are often surprised at the amount of money saved from something as simple as switching out incandescent and fluorescent lamps with LED lighting or increasing the amount of insulation,” he said. “A lot of our work deals with improving residential energy efficiencies, such as testing carbon dioxide-based heat pumps in multiple environments around the state.”

The WSU Extension Energy Program is currently seeking a permanent director to help lead it through a new era of service to the Pacific Northwest.

“There is so much potential and opportunity ahead,” Kruger said. “At the nexus, INEF brings a high level of academic assets, scientific rigor, and policy expertise to the table. These innovative partnerships are going to drive meaningful progress toward a more sustainable energy future.”

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Noel Schulz appointed to endowed professorship at سԹ /noel-schulz-appointed-to-endowed-professorship-at-wsu-tri-cities/ Wed, 07 Feb 2024 00:55:12 +0000 /?p=116075 Noel Schulz has been appointed to the Bob Ferguson Endowed Professorship at Washington State University Tri-Cities. This follows Schulz’s recent appointment to inaugural director of the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) in Aug. 2023.

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By Lacey Desserault

Noel Schulz has been appointed to the Bob Ferguson Endowed Professorship at Washington State University Tri-Cities. This follows Schulz’s recent appointment to inaugural director of the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) in Aug. 2023.

As an endowed professor, Schulz will provide expertise and guidance in furthering the INEF’s function of research, development, and education associated with realizing the 21st century low-carbon energy transitions over the next decades in the region. The role allows Schulz to conduct scholarly work related to INEF’s clean energy goals and hire graduate assistants.

“It is an honor to be named the Bob Ferguson Endowed Professor. His leadership in the Tri-Cities and energy field provided momentum for INEF and its activities,” said Noel Schulz. “This support will assist me in continuing research activities in the INEF area.”

The funding for the professorship position was gifted to the WSU Foundation by Bob Ferguson, a veteran in the nuclear field and longtime supporter of سԹ’ clean energy initiatives. Ferguson’s donations also helped establish INEF in hopes that the funds would contribute to a clean energy future by developing pathways for developing, integrating, and sustaining the resources of the region. This gift helped lay the foundation for the recent investment by the state of Washington for INEF activities.

“Noel’s leadership and expertise will be great assets to the institute,” said Sandra Haynes, chancellor of سԹ. “Her enthusiasm for the work and mission of INEF are evident and I look forward to the progress she will make in this new role.”

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سԹ hosts Clean Energy and the Environment panel /wsu-tri-cities-hosts-clean-energy-and-the-environment-panel/ Thu, 19 Oct 2023 23:07:39 +0000 /?p=115233 The post سԹ hosts Clean Energy and the Environment panel appeared first on سԹ.

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Panelists discussed research on energy initiatives featuring: Noel Schulz, INEF director; Yonas Demissie, INEF assistant director; Josh Heyne, BSEL director; and Sarah Roley, associate professor, School of the Environment.

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Scholarships at سԹ make a difference for first-generation student /scholarships-at-wsu-tri-cities-make-a-difference-for-first-generation-student/ Mon, 09 Oct 2023 20:52:32 +0000 /?p=115153 For Edgar Bustamante, a junior in the electrical engineering program, the road to educational success has not been easy. “As a first-generation college student and an immigrant, my educational journey has been both challenging and rewarding. For a long time, I have been dedicated to financing my education entirely out of pocket, striving to achieve my academic goals against all odds,” he said.

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By Lacey Desserault

For some students at Washington State University Tri-Cities, scholarships and financial aid can be life-changing. An estimated 55% of students at سԹ do not pay out-of-pocket for tuition, allowing students to focus on their academic pursuits without the stress of financing it.

Edgar Bustamante, junior in the electrical engineering program.

For Edgar Bustamante, a junior in the electrical engineering program, the road to educational success has not been easy. “As a first-generation college student and an immigrant, my educational journey has been both challenging and rewarding. For a long time, I have been dedicated to financing my education entirely out of pocket, striving to achieve my academic goals against all odds,” he said.

With the help of two سԹ staff members, Bustamante was able to receive assistance through financial aid, and was the recipient of two scholarships, including the Lee D. Phillip Electrical Engineering Scholarship Endowment and the Atkins Engineering Scholarship.

“Attaining a more secure financial footing will significantly contribute to fostering a positive and focused mindset throughout my educational journey at WSU. By alleviating the burden of financial stress, I can wholeheartedly dedicate myself to my academic pursuits, and make the most of my university experience,” he said.

Bustamante credits Jana Kay Lunstad, campus registrar and director of financial aid, and Stassia Feltes, interim director of GEAR UP OVP Programs, for helping him along the way.

“Jana Kay has actively helped me get the most out of my financial aid and scholarships. Her help has literally made the difference between being able to attend full time versus part time some semesters. Stassia helped me from day one at سԹ. I enrolled during Covid and was dealing with some hardships related to that, as well as other life events. There was a point where I didn’t know if I could even stay in school. Stassia went out of her way to help me work around my external problems and keep me on the track to being able to stay at WSU,” Bustamante said.

“Working in financial aid and scholarships is a privilege because it allows me to connect with students and it’s rewarding to assist them in securing funds for their education,” said Lunstad. “I’ve worked with Edgar for two years and admire his determination to excel in school while balancing work and family commitments. He embodies the qualities employers seek. I take pride in connecting him with these donors and opportunities.”

When Feltes first met with Bustamante online through TRIO during the pandemic she recognized his strong desire to pursue higher education despite facing some unfortunate and challenging situations. “I kept reaching out to Edgar to check in and provided all the necessary support possible so he could stay close to his goal of earning his bachelors. He kept pushing through and showed his resilience in the face of adversity,” said Feltes. “When I met Edgar in person for the first time on campus, I was so excited to see him there and knew he was going to continue to persevere.”

From an early age, Bustamante knew he wanted to pursue a career in engineering. “I always knew I wanted to become an engineer and was partial to the electrical field due to my dad being an electrical motor technician. Once I started taking introductory engineering classes in middle school, I found electrical to be the most challenging, which spiked my interest in the field even further,” he said.

Thanks to the scholarships and the university’s local industry partners, Bustamante was able to participate in several internships alongside his classes. “I have completed an internship with Cadwell Industries during the summer 2023 and am currently participating in a co-op internship with HMIS that will hopefully last through graduation.”

Edgar Bustamante (second from the right) participates in the Clean Energy Ambassadors Network outside of class

Outside of classes, Bustamante has supplemented his education with extracurricular activities. “I am in the CEAN (Clean Energy Ambassadors Network) Energy program, where I am an ambassador,” he said. “Our team got second place during our CEAN clean energy presentation back in the spring 2023 semester. I am also a part of TRIO, which I am hoping to be a little more involved in during this academic year. I also joined our SHPE (Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers) chapter and will be looking to join IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).”

Bustamante plans to graduate in the spring of 2025 and will pursue a career in electrical engineering. “My enduring commitment is to embrace a lifelong learning journey, continuously striving to attain mastery in the discipline I am pursuing throughout my career. I hope to continue to expand my knowledge of the field through whatever emphasis I end up pursuing within the electrical field. The engineering program, which has been an invaluable source of knowledge and growth for me, has provided numerous opportunities for learning and development.”

Learn more about scholarships at سԹ.

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سԹ’ Institute for Northwest Energy Futures appoints inaugural director and assistant director /wsu-tri-cities-institute-for-northwest-energy-futures-appoints-noel-schulz-inaugural-director/ Wed, 09 Aug 2023 16:25:12 +0000 /?p=114278 Noel Schulz has been appointed the inaugural director of سԹ' Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF). Schulz’s wealth of experience and expertise in the fields of engineering and energy will be an asset for INEF as the institute helps to further establish the Tri-Cities as an energy hub for the state of Washington and the nation.

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By Lacey Desserault

Noel Schulz has been appointed the inaugural director and Yonas Demissie the assistant director of سԹ’ Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF). Schulz’s wealth of experience and expertise in the fields of engineering and energy and Demissie’s background in water, climate change, and energy will be assets for INEF as the institute helps to further establish the Tri-Cities as a sustainable energy hub for the state of Washington and the nation.

Schulz is the Edmund O. Schweitzer III Chair in Power Apparatus and Systems in the WSU Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. Her experience includes teaching courses in renewable and distributed energy generation, energy conversion, and smart grid technologies. Her published research focuses on power systems modeling and analysis, smart grid applications, microgrids, renewable energy, and shipboard power systems, and her work has been funded by several agencies, including the US Departments of Energy, Defense, and Homeland Security.

Noel Schulz

“I am honored to be the INEF inaugural director and work with سԹ’ Chancellor Haynes. INEF provides an excellent opportunity for WSU to leverage system expertise including all campuses and extension to advance clean energy solutions across the region, state and beyond,” said Schulz. “I look forward to relocating to the Tri-Cities area and working more closely with سԹ and local leaders on energy-related topics.”

Demissie is an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at سԹ. His research interests include systems analysis and optimization of water-energy-climate nexus to improve sustainability and resilience of the energy system. Before he joined WSU, he was at Argonne National Laboratory studying the relationship between water resources and biofuel and other renewable energy sources. He also led various research projects and published several articles related to the potential impacts of climate change on water, infrastructure resilience to climate change and uncertainty, and impacts of droughts on electric production and distribution.

Yonas Demissie

“I am honored to lead the clean energy center along with Dr. Schulz and work with faculties, students, and community and industry partners to accelerate clean energy and climate solution innovation in Washington and expand the state’s clean energy workforce,” Demissie said. “The center can serve as a central hub for coordinating, facilitating, and accelerating the ongoing efforts towards building a cleaner, more sustainable energy future in Washington.”

Centered at the سԹ campus, INEF utilizes scientific expertise to guide the transition into maintaining safe, economic, and reliable energy systems. These systems aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and have more equitable social outcomes through a systems approach, as the demand for more resilient, affordable, and available low-carbon electricity and transportation fuels increases. The INEF initiative will integrate new and existing scientific capacity in engineering, the environment, economics, business, and society to produce objective research and analysis. The goal is to act as a conduit between science and policy for the clean energy transition and communicate it effectively to consumers.

“The Institute for Northwest Energy Futures will bridge the gap between science and policy for innovations in clean energy by leveraging WSU research expertise in power, transportation, fuels, and other areas in a systems analysis approach. Located on the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus, WSU and research partners such as the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are well-positioned to leverage scientific expertise to translate advancements in research into development of resilient clean energy transitions aimed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and address equity issues in energy policy and production,” said Christopher Keane, vice president for research at WSU and vice chancellor for research at WSU Pullman. “As a nationally recognized expert in power systems engineering, Noel brings a wealth of scientific knowledge that will help to establish connections and collaborations needed to integrate WSU’s relevant scientific capacity with the Institute, communities, industry, and policymakers.”

Earlier this year, the state approved $7.7 million for the 2023-25 biennium to hire researchers and staff and secure a new facility to house the institute. The institute will hire eight scientists and engineers – five, including the director, will be located at سԹ, and three will be at WSU Pullman. The سԹ scientists will bring experience in energy data analytics, social impacts, life cycle assessment, and techno-economic analysis.

“Dr. Schulz and Dr. Demissie bring a depth and breadth of experience to this position that will be necessary to move the institute forward,” said Sandra Haynes, chancellor of سԹ. “Dr. Schulz’s work with the PNNL/WSU Advanced Grid Institute is of particular relevance and will serve her in building out INEF. She is a proven leader, educator, researcher, and collaborator ready to bring INEF to its full potential.”

For more information about INEF and سԹ, visit

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سԹ named winner of Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize /wsu-tri-cities-named-winner-of-inclusive-energy-innovation-prize/ Thu, 29 Jun 2023 23:40:26 +0000 /?p=113942 The United States Department of Energy (DOE) named Washington State University Tri-Cities a grand-prize winner in the final phase of the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize. As one of six winners, سԹ was awarded $250,000 to continue its Empowering the Future Energy Workforce plan, which includes developing an energy and environment certificate that will prepare students to join the next generation of clean energy leaders and thinkers.

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By Lacey Desserault

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) named Washington State University Tri-Cities a grand-prize winner in the final phase of the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize. As one of six winners, سԹ was awarded $250,000 to continue its Empowering the Future Energy Workforce plan, which includes developing an energy and environment certificate that will prepare students to join the next generation of clean energy leaders and thinkers.

This first-of-its-kind competition aims to further climate and environmental justice during the transition to a net-zero-carbon economy by directly funding disadvantaged communities. By investing in ground-up approaches toward a more equitable clean energy future, the prize seeks to assist chronically underserved communities. This prize is the first of the American Made challenges in response to the White House’s Justice40 initiative.

سԹ’ prize-winning plan incorporates student involvement through the development of the Clean Energy Ambassadors Network. The program seeks to increase retention and empowerment for Latine students pursuing careers in energy through the creation of an energy and environment certificate. After submitting a winning impact plan in phase one last year, the سԹ team presented their progress and future plans to a panel of expert reviewers during a two-day event, Presenting Impact Through Communities at Home (PITCH), held at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. The competition was fierce, with teams consisting of non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and startups.

Jillian Cadwell, research associate in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and co-lead of the program was thrilled to receive the final prize, which will allow for future growth of the program. “Our goal for this program is for these future professionals to contribute their expertise, cultural wealth and leadership to the research, inquiry and development around clean energy and climate innovation solutions,” she said. “This prize money will help us do just that.”

A portion of the prize money will continue to help establish the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures in developing industry partnerships for energy systems research and fostering community discussions for policy development.

“The Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize is central to the campus strategy of serving our students, half of whom are students of color and first generation, by preparing them for jobs in a clean energy economy and addressing environmental justice issues in disadvantaged communities,” said Sandra Haynes, chancellor of سԹ. “This strategy is rooted in the campus and region’s vision for leadership in a decarbonized future and is a key part of the new Institute for Northwest Energy Futures which is focused on a systems integration view of clean energy. The prize will enable this work to be fully integrated into our curriculum serving students and their communities well into the future.”

Kate McAteer, vice chancellor of academic and student affairs and a co-lead of the program said, “This prize will position سԹ as a leader in the educational space for climate justice and helps empower underserved students.”

In addition to Cadwell, McAteer and Haynes, the grant team consisted of Paul Carlisle, adjunct professor entrepreneur in residence; and Raul Contreras and Martin Valdez Torres from the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The WSU/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Advanced Grid Institute and Energy Northwest collaborated with the team during the process to represent the university’s local industry partnerships.

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سԹ’ Institute for Northwest Energy Futures receives state funding /wsu-tri-cities-institute-for-northwest-energy-futures-receives-state-funding/ Wed, 26 Apr 2023 15:39:03 +0000 /?p=113620 Washington’s clean energy future became a little brighter when members of the Washington State House and Senate approved Gov. Jay Inslee’s funding proposal for the Washington State University Tri-Cities' Institute for Northwest Energy Futures.

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Washington’s clean energy future became a little brighter when members of the Washington State House and Senate approved Gov. Jay Inslee’s funding proposal for the Washington State University Tri-Cities’ Institute for Northwest Energy Futures.

The operating budget agreement reached by legislative negotiators and approved by the House and Senate over the weekend includes $7.7 million for the 2023-25 biennium to hire researchers and staff and secure a new facility to house the operation. It now goes to the governor’s desk for signature.

“This is great news, not just for سԹ, but for WSU as a whole, our region, state and the nation. With this funding, INEF will accelerate the journey toward a clean energy future by bridging the gap between science and implementation through a systems approach to researching and analyzing clean energy transition plans including ensuring that we relieve the energy burden for underrepresented groups,” said Sandra Haynes, chancellor at سԹ.

INEF soft-launched last year as a new institute to use energy assets from across the WSU system and serve as broker for helping address the complexities of the changing energy landscape. Researchers in this institute will use a systems approach to integrate existing and developing knowledge in engineering, earth sciences, economics, business, and society to help answer society’s most pressing questions about energy. A systems view will help determine how clean energy technologies work together or compete, assess the impact of action or inaction, and address the intended and unintended social consequences of any planned interventions. Researchers will use this knowledge to develop policies, programs, and projects to bring about more sustainable and socially equitable results.

“We see INEF’s effort as not only helping policy makers assimilate the pieces of our reimagined energy puzzle, but also as an opportunity to build upon WSU’s considerable multi-campus, multi-disciplinary research, education and service initiatives in the energy space,” said Haynes.

Eight scientists and engineers will be funded – five, including the director, will be located at سԹ, three will be at WSU Pullman. The سԹ scientists will bring expertise in:

  • Measuring the environmental impact of products, materials and processes
  • Techno-economic analysis to assess economic feasibility and risks of processes and products
  • Energy data analytics to predict energy demand, improve distribution and understand customer consumption patterns
  • Assessing the social impacts of action/inaction to help facilitate sustainable and socially equitable results

Jonathan Male will serve as interim director of INEF. Male recently joined WSU as assistant vice chancellor for research and director of the Office for National Laboratory Partnerships in the Office of Research.

“Our vision is that the INEF will serve as a virtual hub to convene, consult and coordinate a network of expertise and capabilities residing in the Mid-Columbia region and throughout Washington state,” Male said. “INEF will help analyze integrated system scenarios for shaping our diverse regional energy resources, in relation to existing energy infrastructure and future needs while considering economic, environmental and social impacts.”

In addition to bringing together researchers, industry and policy makers, INEF will work with existing partners such as Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and new collaborators, سԹ will also continue to educate the future workforce that will be critical to turning research findings into realities that benefit Washington residents and those beyond, Haynes said.

INEF joins three WSU joint research institutes working to address global energy challenges — the Bioproducts Institute, the Nuclear Science and Technology Institute and the Advanced Grid Institute, as well as the Bioproducts Sciences and Engineering Laboratory on the سԹ campus.

MEDIA CONTACT(S)

Leslie Streeter, Office of Marketing and Communication, 509-372-7333,leslie.streeter@wsu.edu

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