An Energy Cluster Roadmap for southwest Indiana's Project GREEN effort has been unveiled. The plan from consultants Greyhill Advisors calls for the development of a recruiting program for a clean energy original equipment manufacturer and the establishment of the Southwest Indiana Energy Technology Center. The roadmap also suggests the implementation of an energy efficiency program and further development of the area as a leader in advanced coal technology. Regional leaders will now decide how to best implement the strategies.

EVANSVILLE, (IN) – Consulting partners Greyhill Advisors presented their strategy, an Energy Cluster Roadmap for Southwest Indiana for Project GREEN, at a press conference Wed., Oct. 14, at the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Career & Technical Center. The strategic report comes on the heels of their research into economic opportunities in the energy industry in Southwest Indiana, known as Region 11 (Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick counties).

 “With the release of this strategy, Southwest Indiana will continue to develop partnerships and commit resources to stimulate economic growth in key energy sectors identified throughout the region,” says Christine Prior, planning manager for Grow Southwest Indiana Workforce (WIRED).

 At the press conference, consultants from Greyhill Advisors outlined four core initiatives to be implemented as time and funding allow.

1. Develop a recruitment program to attract an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or major Tier 1 manufacturer in the clean energy industry to Southwest Indiana and engage regional manufacturers to explore the potential for business expansion in the energy sector.

 While renewable energy still represents only a small percentage of total U.S. energy generation, the rapid growth in its deployment is undeniable. Greyhill’s research indicates that Southwest Indiana’s solid manufacturing base, skilled workforce, affordable land, competitive incentives, and central location make a strong case for the region to serve as the next location for a major renewable energy manufacturing facility.

 Significant potential also exists for Southwest Indiana to experience energy cluster growth from an existing base of manufacturers. Region 11 has a strong base of component manufacturers with specialties in plastics, structural metals, fabricated metals, glass, and other components critical to many emerging energy supply chains. This provides an opportunity for regional manufacturers to expand their potential end customers by selling component products into an expanding industry.

2. Establish the Southwest Indiana Energy Technology Center to be a world-class facility to provide education and training to individuals at all skill levels and to give the region a signature presence for its energy activities.

In order to solidify the region’s focus on developing an energy cluster, Southwest Indiana should consider establishing a physical presence for energy-focused activities through the development of the Southwest Indiana Energy Technology Center. The center could be structured to accomplish several objectives:

• Provide education and outreach for individuals of all levels including hands-on training for students, skilled trade workers, and transitioning workers.
• Serve as a test bed for new design, installation, and construction projects.
• Be a promotional tool to enhance the region’s focus on energy development.
• Bolster economic development activities in recruitment of new energy manufacturing companies.

3. Implement an energy efficiency program to make systematic energy upgrades to existing buildings that in turn, trains workers with new skills, creates new jobs, and enhances Southwest Indiana’s image as a sustainable community.

The energy efficiency industry refers to products and processes used to reduce energy consumption while maintaining the same level of service. This sector is quickly taking hold across the country and is becoming the largest job generator in the energy field.

Southwest Indiana should consider a multi-faceted, region-wide energy efficiency program to support building upgrades and retrofits that will provide jobs for skilled tradesmen, and technical workers.

• The program will be, first and foremost, a job creation initiative.
• A second aspect will focus on training and continued education for individuals needing to gain certification to work on efficiency upgrade projects.
• Third, the program will provide opportunities for local private sector companies involved in construction and energy efficiency design and deployment.
• Fourth, cost savings from commercial and industrial energy efficiency efforts will help to maintain the region’s competitive edge in manufacturing.
• Finally, the energy efficiency program could serve as a marketing tool to promote Southwest Indiana as a conscientious and sustainable community.

4. Facilitate Southwest Indiana’s development as a leader in advanced coal technology development and commercialization.

Coal remains a vital part of the energy equation, and new coal-fired capacity will need to be developed in order to meet the rising energy demand in an economical fashion. The solution has been to develop generating stations that utilize coal in a more environmentally responsible manner. Southwest Indiana and the surrounding region have taken an early leadership position in the commercial scale deployment of emerging technologies but must mobilize around a common coal vision if it is to claim its rightful place as one of the nation’s leading advanced coal players.

The evolution of Southwest Indiana’s energy sector will not occur on its own, but rather will be the result of a region committing resources and working collaboratively to stimulate economic growth in the key core initiatives presented. Today’s strategic report provides a detailed roadmap for creating energy growth in the region.

It is now up to regional leadership to implement these strategies to serve as the catalyst for growth and prosperity in Southwest Indiana for years to come while simultaneously placing Region 11 in a leadership position in the nation’s quest for energy independence.

Today, the launch of a Project GREEN Web site was also announced — www.indianaprojectgreen.org