The Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster (NEESC) and Western New England University Help OEMs and Suppliers Connect at Energy Storage Forum
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster (NEESC) and Western New England Universityhosted an Energy Storage Forum and Supply Chain Exchange on Thursday, Oct. 22 at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass. The Energy Storage Forum featured two expert panels that discussed energy storage markets and industry integration strategies.
“We provided a forum to help manufacturers and suppliers build connections,” stated Joel M. Rinebold, director of energy initiatives at CCAT and NEESC Chair. “Making these connections is key to the regional growth of the hydrogen and fuel cell cluster.
There were 136 scheduled meetings between businesses that participated in the Forum and Supply Chain Exchange. The Supply Chain Exchange consisted of one-on-one scheduled meetings to help original equipment manufacturers explore opportunities for reducing costs and to introduce suppliers to potential new customers in the Northeast region.
Participating companies included Advent Technologies, Doosan Fuel Cell America, FuelCell Energy, GE Fuel Cells, Giner, Inc., Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, McPhy Energy, Precision Combustion, Inc,, Proton OnSite, SunEdison, Sustainable Innovations, and UIL Holdings Corp.
“It was another great NEESC event. I had good discussions with key market participants and found a supplier of gaskets that may be a perfect match for our current product volume,” stated Emory S. De Castro, chief technology officer for Advent Technologies.
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) supported this event, which bolsters their goals to expand the energy storage cluster in the Northeast and to facilitate the expansion of the supply chain for hydrogen and fuel cell systems in the United States.
About NEESC
The Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster is a network of industry, academic, government and non-governmental leaders working together to provide energy storage solutions. The cluster is focused on the innovative development, production, promotion and deployment of hydrogen fuels and fuel cells to meet the pressing demand for energy storage solutions. The cluster is based in New York, New Jersey, and the New England States. Its initial formation and development is funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Innovative Economies Initiative and administered by CCAT.
About Western New England University
Western New England University, a private university in Springfield, Mass., is renowned for its high quality teaching and growing research program. The University is committed to being a leader regionally, and recognized nationally, in providing integrated professional and liberal learning. Through local, national, and international partnerships, researchers at the University engage in fundamental as well as system level analysis of fuel cell and other electrochemical energy technologies. Western New England University strives to become a leader in energy-based technologies research in the northeast corridor, and is seeking further collaborative partners.
About CCAT
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc. (CCAT) is a nonprofit economic development organization headquartered in East Hartford, Conn., that leads and inspires innovation through state, regional, and national partnerships in advanced manufacturing technology, IT, education, workforce strategies, and energy solutions. To learn more about CCAT, visit www.ccat.us, or follow the company on Twitter – @CCATInc