Biden-Harris Administration Awards Planning Grant to Drive Regional Smart Battery Strategy in Oregon, Washington

WASHINGTON, DC — The Biden-Harris administration, through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), today announced that the Pacific Northwest Smart Energy Strategy Development Consortium  in Portland, Oregon, was awarded a Tech Hubs Strategy Development Grant to develop a regional strategy that advances “front of the meter” energy storage technologies and products to facilitate renewable energy sources’ integration into the utility grid.

The Pacific Northwest Smart Energy Strategy Development Consortium, a consortium led by Portland State University, will leverage the grant to increase local coordination and planning activities to strengthen its region’s capacity to manufacture, commercialize, and deploy technologies critical to U.S. economic and national security. The Tech Hubs Program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, is investing in U.S. regions and aims to transform them into globally competitive innovation centers. This consortium was selected for a grant from a competitive pool of 181 applications.

“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is rooted in policies that will empower the United States to out-innovate and out-compete the rest of the world. Our Tech Hubs Program is fundamental to that mission and will supercharge innovation across the nation by spurring cutting-edge technological investments and creating 21st century job opportunities in people’s backyards,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Each of these consortia will help us ensure the industries of the future—and their good-paying jobs—start, grow, and remain in the United States.”

“These outstanding consortia exemplify place-based economic development strategies at their best: combining federal resources with regional assets, expertise, and coalitions to implement transformational opportunities,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “As each region develops its own strategy to catalyze innovation and job creation, the entire nation grows more secure and more competitive.”

“Today’s tech hub announcements are an exciting marker of progress in Oregon's work to boost our technological industry with the goal of creating more jobs and finding innovative ways to strengthen our economy,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. “Thanks to the partnership and support of the Biden Administration and our congressional delegation, these awards will propel Oregon to meet our prosperity goals.”

“This is a great day both for Portland State and for ensuring our country maximizes the fullest potential for energy storage technologies and renewable energy so key to fighting the climate crisis,” said Oregon Senator Ron Wyden. “I’m glad that PSU has earned this highly competitive designation from the CHIPS & Science Act I was proud to support. And I very much look forward to the school’s leadership in moving our approach to U.S. energy into a stronger and more sustainable future.”

“Innovative renewable energy storage will be key to addressing the climate crisis, enhancing the resilience of our electric grid, and building a more sustainable future. Congratulations to the Pacific Northwest Smart Energy Strategy Development Consortium for earning this Tech Hub grant award to continue their work leading the transition to a clean energy economy,” said Representative Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01).

For a full list of Tech Hubs, visit TechHubs.gov.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.