Furthering his administration’s commitment to supporting the clean energy industry in Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick last week announced $2.5 million in funding opportunities for clean energy companies across the Commonwealth and highlighted a new partnership agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Project Agency – Energy (ARPA-E).The agreement will increase support for the research, development, demonstration and deployment of clean energy technologies in the Commonwealth.
“The challenges of climate change, energy sourcing and cost containment are ripe for the solutions our innovative culture can deliver,” Patrick said. “We have shown that we can build a clean energy future and simultaneously grow jobs and prosperity for the people of the Commonwealth.”
Patrick made these announcements at Forum 20/20, an event sponsored by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and featuring leaders from the energy industry, policymakers, investors and academia brought together to discuss the future of the clean energy marketplace over the next decade.
During the conference, MassCEC signed the partnership agreement with the Advanced Research Project Agency to increase research and expand commercialization of clean energy technologies. Of the total funding opportunities announced, $900,000 will be available for AmplifyMass, a new matching grant program for early-stage clean technology research projects that receive federal funding.
“This partnership is an exciting step forward between our organizations to foster the growth of advanced energy technologies across the United States,” said ARPA-E Acting Director Dr. Cheryl Martin. “In joining together, ARPA-E and MassCEC will further push the boundaries of innovation by collaborating in the research and development of groundbreaking energy technologies.”
Additionally, MassCEC’s InnovateMass program is making $1.4 million available for the support of demonstration projects featuring promising technologies and products that can have a significant impact on meeting the Commonwealth’s energy and environmental challenges.
“Meeting the Commonwealth’s ambitious climate and energy goals will require innovative solutions,” said Energy and Environmental Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett, who chairs MassCEC’s Board of Directors. “These programs allow innovative entrepreneurs to research and demonstrate the commercial viability of their promising technologies and help to foster the Massachusetts innovation ecosystem.”
Patrick also announced that the Catalyst program, funded by MassCEC and administered by the Massachusetts Technology Transfer Center (MTTC), is providing $200,000 in support of Massachusetts entrepreneurs and researchers to advance clean technology innovation.
“By working together with the federal ARPA-E program, we can help ensure the most promising technologies coming out of the Commonwealth’s startups and research institutions can continue along the path towards commercialization,” said MassCEC CEO Alicia Barton.
“The funding provided through MassCEC’s Catalyst program really helps entrepreneurs at very early stage companies and researchers at Massachusetts universities show the commercial viability of their technologies” said MTTC Director Abi Barrow. “We’re pleased to partner with MassCEC to distribute these important grant awards to move these very early projects forward.”
Since 2010, MassCEC has provided $2 million in matching funds to seven Massachusetts-based ARPA-E awardees, companies that have gone on to raise more than $200 million in additional funding and hire more than 280 employees.
