This month marks five years since the Powerhouse Energy Campus celebrated its grand opening – an event that attracted hundreds of community members, academics, energy experts and former Governor John Hickenlooper.
Since 2014, the Powerhouse Energy Campus has evolved into a hub for clean energy innovation, serving as the headquarters of Colorado State University’s Energy Institute.
When the facility first opened, Bryan Willson, executive director of the Energy Institute, called the Powerhouse a “grand social experiment.” That experiment has given rise to a collaborative ecosystem of researchers, faculty, staff, students and companies working together to turn big ideas into solutions that achieve global impact.
Innovating energy
The interdisciplinary nature of the Powerhouse was by design. With diverse people, disciplines and perspectives now under one roof, the Energy Institute is tackling issues across the entire energy spectrum, from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to providing access to energy in the developing world. This innovative work was the driving force behind Fort Collins’ designation as a Place of Invention by the Smithsonian Institution in 2015 – the only designee in energy innovation.
“When I reflect on the past five years, it is exciting to consider the impact of the Powerhouse expansion,” said Willson. “We have created an entrepreneurial environment that fosters collaboration and embraces new ways of thinking, and it has intensified our ability to deliver energy solutions at scale,” said Willson. He added, “We will continue to build on this momentum to increase our impact globally.”
About the Powerhouse
Located near the heart of downtown Fort Collins, the 100,000-square foot Powerhouse is a model for sustainable building practices and cutting-edge architectural design. In 2015, the campus was awarded the Platinum Level LEED certification from U.S. Green Building Council.
Schedule a tour of the Powerhouse Energy Campus. Guided tours are free and open to the public.