Feb 25, 2016: PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon’s national leadership in green energy innovation will be on full display at a major clean energy conference next week outside Washington, DC, where six Oregon startups that have received support from Oregon BEST will showcase their cleantech innovations.
The six Oregon BEST Companies participating in the ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit from Feb. 29 – Mar. 2 have developed technologies ranging from a high-flying, energy-harvesting kite and a massive nontoxic battery to thermal window inserts, a natural gas vehicle technology (pictured, below), a super-efficient cooling system for computer data rooms and a new foundation system for wind turbine towers that speeds installation and cuts concrete use by 75 percent.
Onboard Dynamics test engine for LNG compressionThe companies have received early-stage investment funding from Oregon BEST to collaborate with researchers at Oregon State University and Portland State University to advance their clean technologies. Oregon BEST funding and support have helped the companies attract millions of dollars of additional outside investment, including large grants from ARPA-E.
“Oregon’s leadership role in cleantech innovation will definitely be in the national spotlight in Washington as these companies showcase our state’s clout and creativity in developing clean energy technologies for the future,” said Johanna Brickman, Oregon BEST’s Director of Collaborative Innovation. “Oregon BEST is pleased to be playing a critical role in helping these companies succeed and create jobs.”
Oregon BEST will have an exhibit at the conference and use a “Passport to Oregon Cleantech” punch card to help attendees locate and connect with the Oregon startups.
The Oregon BEST Companies attending the conference include:
IT Aire of Gresham, Ore. has developed a cooling system for data centers that offers the industry’s highest independently verified efficiency of operation, tested and proven to be 75 percent more efficient than DX thermal management technologies.
eWind Solutions of Beaverton, Ore. is developing a tethered kite system that can fly up to 500 feet high to access the stronger and more reliable winds available at that altitude and generate enough electricity to supply four to five U.S. homes. The company was recently awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Energy Storage Systems, developer of a nontoxic, all-iron flow battery the size of a shipping container that can be used to store energy for use during peak rate times, recently relocated from a business incubator to a 23,000 sq.-ft. manufacturing facility in Portland, Ore. and has received $2 million in funding from ARPA-E.
Indow makes a press-in thermal window insert that competes with double-pane windows, and the company is experiencing 100 percent annual growth rate, employs more than 30 at its Portland, Ore. headquarters, and has more than 100 dealers in 37 states. Indow has raised more than $4 million in outside investments.
Onboard Dynamics of Bend, Ore. has a technology that uses engine pistons and cylinders to compress fuel for natural gas vehicles, reducing fuel costs by enabling refueling anywhere a low-pressure natural gas line is available. The company has received $4 million from ARPA-E.
RUTE Foundations of Portland, Ore. has developed a new foundation system for wind turbine towers that cuts the amount of concrete used in foundations by 75 percent and speeds construction schedules of wind farms.
The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) advances high-potential, high-impact energy technologies that are too early for private-sector investment. ARPA-E awardees are unique because they are developing entirely new ways to generate, store, and use energy.
Media Contact: Gregg Kleiner, 541-740-9654
Source: Johanna Brickman, Oregon BEST, 503-313-4507
About Oregon BEST http://oregonbest.org
Oregon BEST funds and assists cleantech startups, bringing together Oregon’s significant R&D strengths to support entrepreneurs in the creation of new products and services. As the nexus for clean technology innovation, Oregon BEST builds capability, convenes collaborations and accelerates solutions to environmental challenges that deliver prosperity in all corners of Oregon. More than 250 Oregon BEST Member Faculty and a network of nine Oregon BEST Labs at four partner universities (Oregon State University, Oregon Tech, Portland State University, and University of Oregon) offer research expertise and lab equipment to industry. Oregon BEST competitively awards Early-Stage Investments to collaborations between startup companies and Oregon BEST Member Faculty at partner universities.