WSU Tri-Cities opens Institute for Northwest Energy Futures with state, federal backing and agrivoltaics grant

Washington State University Tri-Cities formally opened the Institute for Northwest Energy Futures (INEF) on Oct. 2, 2024, with university leaders, federal and state elected officials and local leaders attending a ribbon-cutting and open house to showcase the center's mission to advance decarbonized energy systems.

The new institute, organizers said, will use systems analysis to guide deployment of emerging and existing clean-energy technologies, develop workforce training and foster partnerships with local industry. "The work that will be done here... will influence not only power, but policies across the country," Congressman Dan Newhouse said, praising INEF as a model for regional energy innovation.

Why it matters: INEF brings research capacity to a region with existing clean-energy assets and industry. Organizers tied the initiative to state-level funding and a federal grant that supporters said will allow pilot projects and staffing in the near term. Mayor Teresa Richardson read a city proclamation making Oct. 2, 2024, "WSU Tri Cities Institute for Energy Futures Day" and noted that the state legislature approved $7,700,000 to further the institute's development.

Dr. Noel Schulz, INEF's inaugural director, outlined immediate priorities and staff appointments and cited a recently awarded $2,400,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce to test solar arrays over apple orchards. "We were rewarded a $2,400,000 grant from the Department of Commerce to put solar cells over top of apples," Schulz said, describing the project as an example of research that could combine agricultural and energy outcomes.

Schulz said the institute has begun moving into a purchased building and currently has a small leadership team. She named Jonas Dimisi (engineering and environment) and Chad Krueger (agriculture extension and outreach) as assistant directors and said Georgine Georgi will join in mid-October to help integrate the university's statewide energy program.

WSU President Kirk Schulz described the institute as an opportunity to coordinate energy expertise across the university system and called for community and industry investment in shared facilities and programming. State Senator Matt Boehnke framed the institute as vital to developing a skilled local workforce and urged partners to help build INEF's capacity: "We're gonna build it here in the Tri Cities," he said.

The formal program concluded with a ribbon cutting and a self-guided open house in INEF's high-bay area. Organizers encouraged attendees to tour the facility, meet researchers and discuss potential collaborations and donations that would support the institute's community classroom and pilot projects.

The Wednesday event did not include a binding legislative action; next steps described by speakers were program hires, pilot projects enabled by the Department of Commerce grant and continued fundraising and partnerships to expand INEF's research and education work.