Sens. Manchin, Capito announce $1.9M for clean energy manufacturing project at WVU

U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) announced Monday that West Virginia University (WVU) would receive $1.9 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for advanced clean energy manufacturing.

WVU, in partnership with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), will use the funding to develop innovative new technologies to reduce emissions and advance clean energy manufacturing. The funding will help students, faculty, and other researchers develop a high-entropy, alloy-based coating to protect critical components in hydrogen turbine power systems and make those systems more durable and efficient. WVU is one of 30 universities nationwide selected to receive funding for those projects.

“WVU continues to represent the Mountain State at the highest levels, and I am pleased it has been selected yet again to research and develop new, innovative technologies critical to advancing hydrogen – a fuel that’s increasingly important to our economy and has the potential to decarbonize our energy systems, industrial processes, and transportation sector,” Manchin said. “Today’s announcement is further acknowledgment of the importance of the groundbreaking research conducted by WVU’s students and faculty and researchers at NETL and showcases how West Virginia can continue to lead the country – and the world – in advancing clean energy technologies. I’m thrilled to see the Department of Energy continue to invest at WVU and I will continue to push for funding that supports West Virginia.”

Capito said the funding would help students and WVU continue to be leaders in research.

“West Virginia University continues to be a leader in a variety of research fields, and I’m proud to see our students receive this award from the Department of Energy,” Capito said. “This funding will support our students as they create innovative technology that contributes to our energy sector and works to reduce emissions. I will continue to advocate for the support our higher education institutions need to further our research and development capacities in West Virginia.”