Regional Focus
Compiled by Kenzie Dye
WVU With CMU, Pitt Named Finalist for $ 160 Million NSF Engines Award
The Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure( RETI) Consortium, led by West Virginia University( WVU) in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and more than 60 regional partners, has been selected as a finalist for a prestigious $ 160 million National Science Foundation( NSF) Regional Innovation Engines award.
If RETI is chosen, this funding is projected to generate 21,000 jobs, 150 startups and more than $ 1 billion in economic growth for the region.
Headquartered in the heart of Appalachia at the WVU Innovation Corporation, with a branch office at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh, Erienne Olesh, executive director of the WVU Office of Innovation and Commercialization and RETI CEO, says RETI is committed to solving current and emerging issues for resilient energy to fuel industries and support growing artificial intelligence and data center demand.
These priorities echo those on a national scale as the desire to drive American manufacturing and power data centers continues to grow.
“ As the demand for reliable and secure energy reaches unprecedented levels, WVU is proud to lead the RETI Consortium, which is focused on innovation that will ensure reliable energy, securing American industry,” Olesh says.“ By bringing together three R1 institutions and partners across the research, workforce, capital and nonprofit sectors, we are hopeful NSF recognizes the impact our work can have on the region and nation.”
Regional interest to invest in an industrial energy innovation hub has skyrocketed. In less than two years, RETI has gathered over $ 161 million in support from industry, investors and workforce entities that will be unlocked if awarded the federal funding from NSF.
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