Google support enabling Hamm Institute to accelerate research on reliable, affordable power for AI

Google support enabling Hamm Institute to accelerate research on reliable, affordable power for AI

Friday, January 16, 2026

Media Contact: Dara McBee | Director of External Affairs | 580-350-7248 | [email protected]

The Hamm Institute for American Energy at Oklahoma State University announced new funding from Google.org, Google's philanthropic arm, to accelerate research and expand the institute's Fellows Program focused on how to power AI with reliable, affordable energy.

The funding will support work across critical infrastructure, from firm generation to grid upgrades, as electricity demand grows from data centers and advanced computing. It also includes the American Energy + AI Initiative, which brings together energy leaders, utilities, technology firms and academia to accelerate practical solutions for powering AI and data centers.

"Google.org's support lets us move faster," said Dr. Ann Bluntzer Pullin, executive director of the Hamm Institute. "It strengthens our role as a home base for the national conversation on powering AI and gives us the resources to bring more fellows into the work, deepen the research, and give students and partners practical ways to shape America's energy and technology future."

The expanded Fellows Program will support leading experts and practitioners, contributing to research, convenings and student engagement aligned with the institute's focus on energy systems, infrastructure and policy. Through research and convening, the Hamm Institute works to translate analysis into actionable insight that strengthens American energy security, competitiveness and affordability as AI-related power demand rises.

Additional details on research outputs and program activities supported through the funding will be shared as work progresses.