CICP News & Updates

Yesterday marked the public launch of an initiative that CICP has been working on for nearly two years (along with the Governor’s Office, our Conexus initiative, and support from organizations like the Rocky Mountain Institute) – the Energy Systems Network, a bold effort to make Indiana a global hub for ‘clean technologies’ and energy innovation.

The energy industry today faces tremendous challenges – and the cleantech sector has the potential for explosive growth as it provides the solutions. Indeed, cleantech sub-sectors like wind and solar power, plug-in/hybrid electric vehicles, second generation biofuels, distributed power generation, and systems integration are each projected to grow to more than $70 billion over the next ten years, collectively accounting for a more than $350B global market.

And there’s certainly a sense of urgency: The Obama administration has pledged to double renewable energy use within three years and put a million hybrid electric vehicles on our highways by 2015.  A growing share of the public, concerned about the environment, dependence on foreign oil and other issues, is fueling market demand for clean energy products.  And the inevitability of federal climate change legislation means technological breakthroughs in energy will be critical to curb huge potential price increases for carbon-based power for businesses and families.

Indiana has a unique opportunity to seize a leadership position on the cutting edge of this green revolution.  More than twenty years ago, GM and others engineered the first electric vehicle (the EV1) here – today, we’re home to firms working on nearly every key component of hybrid and plug-in vehicles, from engines and transmissions to advanced batteries.  We’re leaders in biofuels, clean coal technology, and benefit from the presence of innovative utility partners (like Duke Energy) focused on the development of ‘smart grid’ technologies that will help consumers better control their power use and supply.

In short, all of the assets are in place – and now we have another competitive advantage: The collaborative spirit embodied by the ESN.  This initiative recognizes that no single company has the solutions to the energy challenges that we face – companies and research institutions must work together to bring these solutions to market.  And of course, it’s our preference that these partnerships begin in Indiana and that we capture as much of the economic benefit as possible for Hoosiers.

The ESN is led by an all-star Board of Directors and is being ably managed at the staff level by Paul Mitchell, former policy advisor to Governor Daniels.  The Network already has two exciting projects in its commercialization pipeline: The Hoosier Heavy Hybrid Partnership is focused on bringing more cost effective light, medium, and heavy duty  hybrid trucks to market.  Project Plug-IN will integrate plug-in electric vehicles and ‘smart grid’ technologies providing a green transportation solution for Central Indiana commuters in one of the nation’s first large-scale pilot projects.

I’d encourage you to visit the landing page we set up for the ESN launch to learn more about this new addition to the CICP family – you’ll be hearing much more from the ESN in the weeks and months to come.