The National Research Center for Coal and Energy (NRCCE) at West Virginia University is hosting the first annual TransTech Energy Conference, November 14-16 at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown, W.Va.
The conference will bring together innovative thinkers, investors, students and teachers who are interested in the growing field of transitional energy technologies.
Energy technologies and strategies are constantly in transition as countries around the world strive for economic growth and stability, a reasonably healthy environment and national security. The term TransTech Energy (TTE) refers to technologies and strategies supporting a lower carbon, industrially competitive, clean energy economy of the future. Examples include energy recycling and harvesting; combined heat and power; hybrid fossil/renewable power systems; and next generation manufacturing processes that promote energy efficiency.
“We’re not only presenting a conference but also presenting opportunities for business development and job growth in the region,” said Kathleen Cullen, program coordinator in the Industries of the Future Program, the NRCCE program responsible for organizing the event.
Other organizers and sponsors include: Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E), West Virginia Division of Energy, West Virginia University Advanced Energy Initiative, Appalachian Power, TechConnect West Virginia, Dinsmore, Innovation Works and West Virginia Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
Keynote speakers for the conference will include: Tim Duke, president of Steel of West Virginia; Cheryl Martin, Director of Commercialization at the United States Department of Energy; Greg Babe, CEO of Orbital Engineering and former president and CEO of Bayer Corporation; Tom and/or Sean Casten, chairman/president and CEO of Recycled Energy Development; Gary Smyth, director of Powertrain Research Lab, General Motors; David Mooney, director of Electricity, Resources, and Building Systems Integration at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory; David Wilhelm, founding partner of Hopewell Ventures and Adena Ventures, Appalachian Impact Fund; and Tim Fogarty, founding partner of Crimson Hill Ventures.
The TransTech Energy Conference will provide an opportunity for start-up companies to make sales pitches to potential investors and to gain exposure for their projects. University students are also invited to present in the Business Concept Paper Competition. A concept paper is not a full business plan, but rather a rough idea of one. Participating students will be competing for first, second and third place awards.
For information and registration, visit www.transtechenergy.org or contact Kathleen Cullen at (304)293-7150 or Kathleen.Cullen@mail.wvu.edu.
