NREL hosts clean-energy industry growth forum
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently hosted the Industry Growth Forum in Denver, Colorado, which attracted more than 400 clean energy investors, entrepreneurs, technologists and thought leaders and highlighted technological and business developments.
The two-day forum featured business case presentations, speakers, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Three companies received Best Venture and Outstanding Venture Awards at the close of the event.
“The convergence of R&D success, entrepreneurial innovation, and a receptive investment community will accelerate advanced energy technologies into the marketplace,” NREL Associate Laboratory Director for Innovation, Partnering and Outreach Bill Farris said. “Relationships built and information shared at the Industry Growth Forum are vital to the advancement of these technologies. We are pleased to be able to leverage the convening power of the laboratory to facilitate this essential discourse.”
Of the 30 competitively selected presenters at the event, three were presented with 2017 Clean Energy Venture Awards and will receive in-kind commercialization support. Entic, Inc. offers a cloud-based software that helps provide information on and optimize energy-consuming systems in buildings received the top prize.
EnergySage received an Outstanding Venture award for their online comparison-shopping marketplace for rooftop and community solar. Another Outstanding Venture award was presented to Vartega Carbon Fiber Recycling, which has developed a chemistry-based process to recycle uncured carbon fiber manufacturing scrap and expired material.
