Colorado Selected To Establish A Wind Energy Center Of Excellence

Today, Colorado was selected to participate in the President's National Network for Manufacturing Innovation through the newly established Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI). IACMI is a multi-state public-private partnership including 122 companies, nonprofits, and universities to research the use of composite materials, develop new manufacturing techniques, and improve clean energy job training programs to improve performance and reduce costs for clean energy technologies. As participants in the Institute, Colorado research institutions will receive up to $14 million in federal funding over five years to establish a center of excellence specifically focused on wind energy. Across the country, $70 million in federal funds will be matched by more than $180 million in non-federal funds to support this research.

"This is a critical step to accelerate innovation in clean energy technologies and boost American manufacturing," said Rep. Perlmutter. "The Institute will have a lasting impact on manufacturing competitiveness, job creation and energy efficiency in the U.S. and support the regional manufacturing economy in Colorado."

Research at Colorado's center will be led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and involve Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado, and Colorado State University as well as private companies such as Coorstek, Lockheed Martin, Vestas and others.

Each participant of the Institute will work in coordination with the goal of determining how to respond to industry needs to lower market risk and drive widespread adoption of commercial composite materials. IACMI will be headquartered in Knoxville, TN and its centers will tap local, regional and global private sector expertise across the country to develop new technologies and advanced manufacturing skills to support sustainable market growth and job creation.

Colorado's participation in the Institute was supported by the Colorado Congressional delegation in a letter led by Rep. Perlmutter in June 2014 to express support for IACMI.

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