Experts Explore Energy Storage and Job Creation Opportunities
for Northern Ohio
CLEVELAND, November 9, 2015 — More than 150 experts in the
energy storage space shared information and insights at the
Northern Ohio Energy Storage and Integration Workshop held at NASA
Glenn Research Center’s Mission Integration Center (MIC)
October 29-30. The dialogue focused on creating a regional
ecosystem that would support energy storage and integration for
terrestrial and transportation (ground, air and space)
applications. The goal? Delivering high-quality, timely, needed
products to the marketplace while creating jobs for the Northern
Ohio region.
Hosted by NASA Glenn Research Center and sponsored by Team NEO,
FirstEnergy, Case Western Reserve University/Great Lakes Energy
Institute and the University of Toledo, the two-day workshop
brought a variety of innovative ideas to light.
“Northern Ohio is well-positioned to serve as the hub of
the energy storage industry,” said Team NEO CEO Bill Koehler.
“Our region’s corporations and other industry-related
organizations possess the knowledge and talent required to
establish and maintain a sustainable energy storage cluster that
will help fuel our job creation efforts.”
NASA Glenn Research Center Director Jim Free agreed. “When
you look at the strength of Northern Ohio’s resources in the
energy arena — the technological expertise, emerging
technologies and well-equipped facilities — it becomes clear
that the future of energy storage and integration is right here.
The potential for this industry is enormous. We are very excited to
be part of this effort.”
Indeed, it is estimated that energy storage will be a $50
billion opportunity by 2020. Further, according to a 2014 Forbes
magazine article, energy storage is going to be one of the defining
features of the 21st century landscape.
Topics discussed over the two-day workshop included: how energy
storage solves a problem, what holes need to be filled in existing
technologies, how solutions will be integrated in the grid and
transportation, where we are today, and what’s needed for the
future both mid- and long-term. In addition, Congresswoman Marcy
Kaptur (D OH 9th District), who was a special guest speaker, closed
the workshop with a personal, passionate speech to those in
attendance about the importance to Northern Ohio becoming a major
player in the energy storage and integration business and offering
her support to realizing that vision.
About Team NEO
Team NEO is an economic development organization focused on
creating jobs for Northeast Ohio’s residents. In collaboration with
our partners, it leads the region’s business attraction
efforts, supports business retention and expansion work as
Northeast Ohio’s JobsOhio affiliate, and aligns strategies
and resources within the economic development network to maximize
its impact. In addition, Team NEO provides tools to assist
employers in attracting talent to the region.
We are driven to succeed by our passion for the region, and we
strive to instill that enthusiasm in others. Our highly experienced
staff is guided by a board of business, economic development and
civic leaders who share our passion. It is this combination of
skills, results-oriented culture and passion that drives us to find
solutions that help businesses expand and create jobs in Northeast
Ohio. For more information, visit www.teamneo.org and
www.clevelandplusbusiness.com.