Capitalizing on the Region’s Future in Energy

Clean energy is increasingly vital to our economy, security and environment. Southwestern PA (SW PA) is uniquely positioned to take a leading role in the development, storage and transmission of clean energy technologies.

This region has always been home to an abundance of natural resources such as coal. It’s also at the leading edge of innovations in fast-growing energy fields such as photovoltaics, biofuels, smart grid design, fuel cells, wind, and nuclear energy. Some of these technologies are in the works at area universities or the National Energy Technology Laboratory in SW PA; others have already been commercialized through companies in IW’s portfolio.

As part of the Commonwealth’s Energy Independence Fund, IW will serve as the catalyst and hub of early-stage energy activities in SW PA—focusing on clean-coal technologies, alternative energy and energy efficiency technologies. As the SW PA Ben Franklin Technology Partner, IW has secured funding and additional expertise to advance the region’s potential in this fast-emerging field by:

• Identifying high-potential research and ensuring that it gets commercialized
• Stimulating collaborative opportunities among the many research and commercial resources here
• Providing investments and business assistance to start and grow promising companies

By combining Southwestern PA’s natural assets and broad capacity for innovation, with IW’s expertise in technology commercialization, IW will help the region play a leading role in energy technology development and commercialization.

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