Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, April 27, 2018
(ODON) - Over the past year, the Battery Innovation Center (BIC) has more than doubled its client list, served as an incubator for BrightVolt’s unique battery technology, and promoted economic growth in WestGate@Crane Technology Park throughout Indiana and globally.
Ben Wrightsman, president and CEO of the Battery Innovation Center, will discuss the growth of the center, new developments in battery storage technology and the potential benefits to businesses and communities. The presentation, presented by Purdue@WestGate, will take place on Tuesday, May 1, at WestGate Academy from 3:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.
"Our clientele now includes quite a list of large, international corporations and businesses such as Cummins, MTD Corporation, Facebook, Amazon and Rolls-Royce," Wrightsman said. "We also are home to a substantial list of startup to medium size companies like 10-9, SilLion, Cuberg, and Morgan among others. Because most of our clients are headquartered outside Indiana, many were not aware of the technology opportunities that are available here."
Wrightsman said the center has taken educational initiatives to connect with the community and its businesses about how battery storage can be used across industries.
"The BIC team has been working hard to reach out to people and businesses outside the immediate battery industry to express how the technology is applicable to them. We've found success with our recent outreach initiatives and we've brought business to southern Indiana, the BIC, WestGate, and NSWC Crane that previously had no connections here," Wrightsman said.
Jason Salstrom, director of Purdue@WestGate, said growing partnerships, such as the one between the BIC and BrightVolt, are a huge benefit to the regional economy.
"The fact that the BIC is drawing new cutting edge, high-tech ventures to WestGate is evidence of the unique value the Tech Park offers," Salstrom said. "Purdue@WestGate is striving to match the BIC's technology incubation with complementary business incubation. This expansion is great news for the Purdue@WestGate community."
"We hope to be a cornerstone for the community on a critical need, and putting the region on the global technology radar," Wrightsman said. "We are excited about creating opportunities for the people of this region."
About the Battery Innovation Center
The Battery Innovation Center is a unique public-private partnership and not-for-profit organization that incorporates leadership from commercial enterprises, government organizations, and world-class universities to focus on rapid development, testing, and commercialization of safe, reliable, and lightweight energy storage systems for commercial and defense organizations. Located near NSWC Crane, the BIC provides both a virtual collaborative network of capabilities needed for development of next generation energy storage solutions as well as a state-of-the-art $15.6 million energy research lab and testing facility. The BIC is also home to Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Battery Energy Storage Technology test facility (UL BEST).
About Purdue@WestGate
Purdue@WestGate is an economic development accelerator formed by the partnership between WestGate Authority, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane), Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation. The Indiana-based collaboration combines strengths to advance educational, research and development and technology commercialization across Indiana and elsewhere. Purdue@WestGate offers tools for startups, entrepreneurial experts, programs, educational opportunities and workforce development to help southern Indiana businesses grow and thrive. For more information about the resources available to businesses, visit Purdue@WestGate.
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