Texas Tech University and the National Institute for Renewable Energy (NIRE), a nonprofit, public/private collaboration, will receive $8.4 million from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. The grant allows both entities to help resolve key scientific and technology issues facing the wind power industry.
NIRE, which was formed in 2009 with organizational support from Innovate Texas Foundation and in conjunction with Texas Tech University, focuses on advancing technology in the wind industry and addressing the future energy needs of the U.S. through specialized renewable energy research initiatives and distributed wind energy production farms.
Texas Tech University will use the state funds to facilitate technology development, further decrease the cost of wind energy and other renewable energy sources, and optimize energy-storage technologies. Funding provided to NIRE will be used to design, construct and operate demonstration wind farms, and sell the power generated in the commercial marketplace to fund a nonprofit research center.
NIRE will also provide services to industry partners and offer an industry consortium, which will be managed by The Wind Alliance. Texas Tech and its wind research organizations will receive $6.4 million of the award, and NIRE will receive $2 million.
The National Wind Resource Center, established by Texas Tech University, will serve as the research center with support from many of the nation's leading research universities, each utilizing its unique areas of expertise within the renewable energy sector. The consortium also includes several nationally recognized workforce development leaders.
SOURCE: Innovate Texas Foundation
