West Virginia University is on the receiving end of the largest grant in the history of the university.
WVU announced Tuesday its partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University in the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure (RETI) Consortium will receive $321 million in public and private funding.
The project, which features the development of an industrial energy innovation hub, was one of 12 projects chosen by the National Science Foundation following a two-year competitive selection process.
The new NSF Engine will receive to $160 million over the next decade and another $161 million through philanthropy, industry, state government and community partners.
“This significant award offers an incredible opportunity for the region to make history. West Virginia University will lead the NSF RETI Engine in developing innovative ways to meet the nation’s rapidly growing energy needs,” WVU President Michael Benson said in a news release. “The collective strength of three R1 institutions along with legacy energy and industrial production make our region the ideal proving ground to modernize and secure U.S. energy while strengthening national competitiveness and regional economic growth.”
Brian Stone, who is currently performing the duties of the NSF director said the awards will impact the nation’s infrastructure for years to come.
“The NSF RETI Engine will strengthen U.S. energy security and grow the industry by advancing resources for energy grid management, storage, and cybersecurity,” Stone said.
The initiative is expected to create up to 21,000 jobs, 150 startups, and more than $1 billion in economic growth for the region.
NSF RETI Engine CEO Erienne Olesh said it is timely funding given the surging demand for power, driven by AI, data centers, and the reshoring of U.S. industry which is straining America’s electric grid at a critical time.
“RETI is built to meet this challenge,” Olesh said. “Anchored in the heart of America’s historic energy corridor, the Consortium will develop hardware, software, and AI technologies to help secure America’s energy supply, strengthen the grid, and power the next generation of U.S. manufacturing.”
Olesh and Benson are scheduled to be guests Wednesday on MetroNews “Talkline” to discuss the announcement.
Carnegie Mellon University President Farnam Jahanian said the Engine will address industry needs by focusing expedited developments in advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and energy technology.
“Our region has powered America’s economy for generations, and today we have an opportunity to help power its future,” Jahanian said.
University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Joan T. Gabel said the NSF RETI Engine has all the elements to create a successful model of energy resilience that can be scaled to meet national need.
“This is a landmark moment that highlights our shared vision and collaboration with WVU and other partners to modernize the energy grid, revitalize advanced manufacturing, and create thousands of new jobs across our region,” Gabel said. “I’m proud of our researchers and grateful to the NSF for investing in the kind of bold, cross-border collaboration that will define the next generation of American energy innovation.”
The RETI team has developed an innovation-driven strategy poised to enhance industrial competitiveness through scalable energy-efficient technologies, strengthen grid resilience to support U.S. manufacturing, accelerate commercialization of energy innovations over the last two years. The goal is to build a skilled regional workforce, support a growing community of tech entrepreneurs, and expand venture capital focused on hard tech.U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Jim Justice and Gov. Patrick Morrisey were among those congratulating WVU and its partners.
“I’m incredibly proud of WVU’s leadership in securing the RETI Consortium right here in Appalachia, designed to spur economic opportunities and create good paying jobs through the development of resilient energy and industrial technologies,” Capito said. “This was a competitive selection process that I advocated for on WVU’s behalf, and it’s great to see NSF recognize the capabilities that we know exist in our region to power the future of America.”
Justice called it a landmark moment.
“Securing the RETI Consortium, the largest National Science Foundation award in our state’s history, is a testament to the incredible work being done at West Virginia University and by partners across our region. This $321 million investment is going to create jobs, grow our economy, and continue to cement West Virginia as a national leader in energy innovation. There has never been a better time to believe in West Virginia, and I’m excited for what is ahead,” Justice said.
Morrisey said West Virginia has help power America’s economy for more than a century.
“Today, we’re proving we’ll also help power its future. This investment recognizes that our energy resources, world-class research institutions, and skilled workforce make West Virginia the ideal place to develop the technologies that will strengthen our nation’s energy security, create high-paying jobs, and drive economic growth for generations to come,” Morrisey said. “We’re proud to partner with West Virginia University, the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and the many public and private organizations that are helping position Appalachia as the nation’s next great energy innovation hub.”
The NSF RETI Engine is located at the WVU Innovation Corporation on Chestnut Ridge Road in Morgantown with a branch office at the Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburgh.