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Oregon Tech’s renewable energy center asks subcommittee to sustain programs fueling clean‑tech workforce and labs
Summary
The Oregon Renewable Energy Center (Orec) told the HECC education subcommittee it supports workforce and industry through applied research in green hydrogen, agro‑photovoltaics, EVs and battery technology and asked legislators to continue state funding that began under HB 5006 (2017).
The Oregon Renewable Energy Center (Orec) at Oregon Tech briefed the Ways and Means education subcommittee on May 1 on its role in clean‑energy research, workforce training and industry partnerships and asked lawmakers to continue state support.
Naga Kurevie, chair of the electrical engineering and renewable energy department and director of Orec, described the center’s portfolio — green hydrogen synthesis, agro‑photovoltaics, electric‑vehicle initiatives, battery research and geothermal information services — and said sustained funding allowed Orec to support hands‑on student training and prototype testing for Oregon companies.
Kurevie noted Orec was authorized by statute in 2001 and that state funding for the center began under House Bill 5006 in 2017. She described recent and planned lab investments including a teaching and research laboratory in battery technology and a solar‑manufacturing research laboratory being established with National Institute of Standards and Technology funding.
Kurevie said continued state support is “crucial for maintaining the momentum of these advancements” and for preparing students for the clean‑energy workforce.
The committee did not vote at the hearing. Orec’s funding needs will be considered alongside other state program requests in the HECC budget and in deliberations on SB 5525.
