KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency, Kathleen Hogan, and new CEO of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), Bryan Dods, gathered in Knoxville to discuss the advanced energy industry ‘s economic impact in Tennessee and the nation.
The discussion took place at the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC)’s annual “Opportunities in Energy” event at The Square Room in Knoxville. More than 80 business leaders and public officials gathered for the event to discuss Tennessee’s place in the $1.3 trillion global advanced energy market and how to leverage advanced energy to make Tennessee the #1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs.
“Tennessee is uniquely positioned to be a mecca of energy entrepreneurs and businesses,” said Matt Kisber, President of TAEBC and President & CEO of Silicon Ranch Corporation. “Events like ‘Opportunities in Energy’ serve as a convening point for industry leaders to celebrate our successes, network and explore the latest trends and opportunities to grow our own businesses.”
TAEBC unveiled a three-part video series at the event, showcasing the people and businesses in Tennessee’s advanced energy industry. Tennessee’s advanced energy sector employs nearly 325,000 people and contributes more than $33 billion to the state GDP.
Click here to view the three-part video series: https://tnadvancedenergy.com/about-us/what-is-advanced-energy/
During panel discussions, industry leaders shared 2016 successes ranging from Schneider Electric selecting Tennessee for a regional office and creating 250 new jobs, to LeMond Composites creating more than 200 jobs with a revolutionary low-cost carbon fiber technology that will help the automotive industry reach 54.5 mpg; Oak Ridge National Lab’s Innovation Crossroads that will support the next generation of energy entrepreneurs and move innovation from the lab to the marketplace; Bridgestone Americas latest tire option that improves fuel efficiency, and Centrus Energy maintaining and advancing U.S. gas centrifuge uranium enrichment technology.
The event also featured the official launch of the Energy Mentor Network – a structured mentorship program specifically for energy entrepreneurs and startups in Tennessee, powered by Launch Tennessee and TAEBC.
Advanced energy is technology neutral. Anything that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure and more efficient is in the tent. Examples include electric and plug-in hybrid cars, lightweight composites for the automotive industry, natural gas fueled trucks, pollution control equipment, bio-energy, high-performance buildings, more efficient industrial processes, power reliability, smart grids, combined heat and power and the latest wind, solar and nuclear technologies.
About Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council
The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) champions advanced energy as a job creation and economic development strategy. It educates public officials and business leaders about the value and job creation potential of Tennessee’s advanced energy assets, establishes strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and informs policy that expands and strengthens the industry. For more information, visit: www.tnadvancedenergy.com.
###