Ohio’s largest players in the advanced energy manufacturing sector came together for the Kick-off of the Central Ohio Energy Manufacturing Solutions Hub at TechColumbus today.
Frank Scardena, the recently named Director of the Hub, introduced the partnership of TechColumbus, EWI, Battelle, Columbus 2020!, The Ohio State University Institute for Energy and the Environment, and The Ohio State University Center for Automotive Research, which will develop a business environment that “sustains long-term manufacturing growth in the advanced energy sector” and cultivates “strong regional collaboration…for successful energy business ventures.”
According to the Hub’s website, its objectives are the following:
- Reduce operational costs for companies located within the Hub;
- Increase the success rate of advanced energy start-up companies;
- Encourage new advanced energy manufacturing companies to begin operations within the central Ohio region;
- Create jobs that come through partnerships and increased productivity as organizations work together to support each others' business activities.
Dr. Alan Schriber, former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, spoke to the plenary about energy policy and trends that are impacting the advanced energy manufacturing sector. Schriber said he is a believer in the free market system, and believes the market can drive demand for efficiency and renewables.
He cautioned companies against over-reliance on state and federal government subsidies, citing the current trend for government incentives for renewable sources of power.
“At the end of the day, government is choosing winners and losers when they choose to subsidize and give tax breaks to wind and solar [companies],” Schriber said.
A panel discussion, moderated by Greg Lestini of Law Firm of Bricker and Eckler, highlighted issues confronting vehicle electrification and energy storage in Ohio.
John Pohill, CEO of Venturi, said the well-known innovative car company is in Ohio because Venturi has “a vision for opportunities.”
“The Hub presents us with opportunities to leverage knowledge and research,” Pohill said. “You are going to see a lot of other hubs [throughout the region and country] generated off of this Hub.”
Rich House, President and CEO of Plugsmart, spoke to the group about issues in energy storage impacting electric vehicles.
“We are in Columbus because of the Center for Automotive Research.” And, he later joked, because his grandchildren live in Columbus.
The electric transportation industry is moving quickly, according to Chris Schafer, Program Manager of Electric Transportation at American Electric Power. Schafer indicated the utility is interested in the fueling aspects of electric vehicles because of the possible demand on the utility’s resources.
Schafer said energy storage is an area where there are a lot of potential benefits. He said American Electric Power has installed 11 megawatts of large-scale energy storage in four locations within their system.
More information about the Central Ohio Energy Manfacturing Solutions Hub can be found at: http://www.irawaynehenry.com/HUB/.
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