WVU with CMU, Pitt named finalist for $160M NSF Engines Award to supercharge regional energy technology, infrastructure

The Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure Consortium, led by a team at West Virginia University in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and over 60 regional partners, has been selected as a finalist today (Sept. 18) for a prestigious $160 million National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines award.

If chosen, this funding is projected to generate 21,000 jobs, 150 startups and more than $1 billion dollars in economic growth for the region.

Headquartered in the heart of Appalachia at the WVU Innovation Corporation, with a branch office at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh, Erienne Olesh, executive director of the WVU Office of Innovation and Commercializationand RETI CEO, said that RETI is committed to solving current and emerging issues for resilient energy to fuel industries, and support growing artificial intelligence and data center demand.

These priorities echo those on a national scale as the desire to drive American manufacturing and power data centers continues to rise.

"As the demand for reliable and secure energy reaches unprecedented levels, WVU is proud to lead the RETI Consortium, which is focused on innovation that will ensure reliable energy, securing American industry," Olesh said. "By bringing together three R1 institutions and partners across research, workforce, capital and the nonprofit sectors, we are hopeful NSF recognizes the impact our work can have on the region and nation."

Robert K. Cunningham, vice chancellor for research infrastructure at the University of Pittsburgh, said Pitt started the first Department of Petroleum Engineering back in 1910 to help the region lead in energy research and production.

"More recently, our investments in the Energy GRID Institute, and our Department of Energy and industry collaborations through AMPED and the Cyber Energy Center keep our research relevant and impactful," Cunningham said.

"Over the years, our faculty, staff and students have led in important areas of energy research, and our graduates have powered the region's large energy companies and started small ones. But as important as those contributions are, we are also aware of how broad and deep the opportunities are, so we are excited to partner with WVU and CMU as part of RETI be one step closer to an NSF Engines awardee."

"Pennsylvania and West Virginia have served as a nexus of leadership in energy innovation for more than a century," CMU Vice President for Research Theresa Mayer said. "RETI brings together the tremendous talent and entrepreneurial spirit of the region's universities and partners to realize a future-proof, resilient energy system for a prosperous economic future."

Where energy intersects with technology, the governors of both West Virginia and Pennsylvania present a united front.

"We have every opportunity to supercharge America's next energy renaissance and serve as the backbone for energy security with this funding opportunity. We appreciate that NSF recognizes the region's potential and look forward to continue powering the nation like we've done for the past 100 years," West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.

"Pennsylvania is a national energy leader - and with world-class universities like Pitt and Carnegie Mellon, our Commonwealth is a leader in innovation too," said Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. "Working together with our partners in West Virginia, the NSF Engines initiative will help us secure our energy grid, deliver more power to our industrial manufacturing sector, and ensure we have reliable, affordable sources of energy for years to come. Pennsylvania and West Virginia have put together the most competitive and robust application for this award - and we deserve to win so that we can deliver results for communities across America."

Regional interest to invest in an industrial energy innovation hub has skyrocketed. In less than two years, RETI has gathered over $161 million in support from industry, investors and workforce entities that will be unlocked if awarded the federal funding from NSF.

To support formalizing partnerships and building regional strategies, NSF awarded the Consortium a $1 million development award in February 2024. Eight months later, RETI was selected as one of 71 finalists to move forward to the full proposal stage. By July of this year, the consortium was selected as one of 29 semifinalists. If successful, NSF Engines would provide up to $160 million over 10 years, catalyzing a $320 million investment in the region.

"West Virginia has long been an energy leader for our nation, and this announcement underscores how our region is ready to build on that legacy in bold new ways. By bringing together research institutions and community partners, the RETI Consortium is positioning Appalachia to drive the next generation of energy innovation. I'm so glad to see West Virginia University at the forefront of this effort, which I have proudly supported, and I applaud WVU in their advancement in this competitive process. This effort has the potential to create thousands of jobs and ensure our region continues to power America for decades to come," U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.) said.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for all West Virginians and for Appalachia. The RETI Consortium's focus on advancing resilient energy technology and infrastructure is the kind of innovation that will power our region's future - creating thousands of jobs while driving economic growth and spurring regional industrial growth. This project supports American dominance in high-tech industries such as artificial intelligence and data centers. I am proud to support this important initiative to ensure West Virginia remains a hub of innovation and energy leadership," said U.S. Rep. Riley Moore (W.Va).

RETI's innovation-driven strategy is poised to enhance industrial competitiveness through scalable energy-efficient technologies, strengthen grid resilience to support U.S. manufacturing, accelerate commercialization of energy innovations, build a skilled regional workforce, support a growing community of deep tech entrepreneurs, and expand venture capital focused on hard tech.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Katie FarmerExecutive Director of Strategic PrioritiesWVU Strategic Communications and Marketing315-256-8509; [email protected]

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