Drive Oregon 03/08/12 ARPA-E Workshop

Source:  Jan Greylorn, March 12, 2012.

For their March meeting Drive Oregon (http://driveoregon.org/) presented a workshop on the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E  http://arpa-e.energy.gov/Home.aspx).

Drive Oregon is a nonprofit public-private partnership with diverse membership from across the range of companies and organizations involved in electrifying the transportation system. Drive Oregon’s industry representation consists of companies that develop and produce vehicles, components, perform conversions, and provide consulting services for hybrid and electric vehicles and energy storage technologies.  Drive Oregon is funded in part with Oregon State Lottery Funds administered by Business Oregon. It is one of six Oregon Innovation Council initiatives supporting innovation and long term economic growth. Drive Oregon’s mission is to promote, support, and grow the electric vehicle industry in Oregon.

The Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) mission is to fund trans formative, scalable energy technologies.  Their web site (http://arpa-e.energy.gov/Home.aspx) details their charter, resources and events. The agenda for their February 28 meeting (http://www.ct-si.org/events/EnergyInnovation/program/) details the scope of their projects.

Drive Oregon ARPA-E Workshop:  On March 2, 2012, the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (“ARPA-E”)  issued an OpenFunding Opportunity Announcement to identify high-risk, high-reward concepts for energy-related technologies that may enhance our nation’s energy and economic security.  This definitely includes electric vehicle technologies, and could provide millions of dollars for such businesses.  The submission deadline for the notice of intent to file is March 30, 2012.

The speakers at the conference were:

  • James P. McDougall is Board President of Drive Oregon and CEO of ReVolt Technology, which received $5 million from ARPA-E in 2010. James discusses his firm’s experience and offers for businesses considering an application in 2012.
  • David Kenney is Executive Director of Oregon BEST, the Oregon Built Environment and Sustainable Technology Center. David provides additional insights and advice from the ARPA-E Energy Innovation 02/28/12 Summit.  Presentation – http://driveoregon.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ARPAPPTKenneySmall.pdf

Each presentation should be viewed with some care. Both praise the ARPA-E program, personnel, and process. Each gives personal insights into the process and commitment necessary for success. The lessons learned are more valuable than a day with a team of K Street mavens.

-Jan Greylorn