Charting a Sustainable Future
Oregon's Vision for a CleanTech Revolution
At the recent Wings Conference in Portland, Oregon, I had the privilege to speak about a vision that’s both a passion and a necessity for our future—innovating our way out of the climate crisis. My presentation, titled "Green Horizons: A Blueprint for a CleanTech Cluster in Oregon," outlined a comprehensive framework for leveraging Oregon's unique strengths to foster a vibrant CleanTech sector.
Oregon's commitment to sustainability isn't new. Oregonians have long been pioneers in adopting environmentally sound practices and technologies. Oregon’s history of successful cluster development in industries such as apparel and semiconductors provides a solid foundation for the next big leap into CleanTech. As I discussed, Oregon's rich natural resources, culture of innovation, and proximity to the innovation economies of California and Washington make it positioned well for this transformation.
Incumbents such as Intel and Nike, have integrated sustainability metrics as strategic corporate goals. Intel, for example, aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in its global operations by 2040. Nike has clear 2025 sustainability targets in their “Move to Zero” initiative. This highlights the potential for established firms to lead in sustainability efforts.
Moreover, the role of federal funding cannot be overstated. Oregon has shown it can be successful in securing Department of Energy grants, which are crucial for fostering innovation and development within the CleanTech sector. These grants have been instrumental in projects ranging from small modular nuclear reactors to advanced energy storage solutions, reflecting a broad scope of innovation taking place in Oregon.
The rise of startups in Oregon, focusing on diverse aspects of CleanTech from energy storage to electric vehicle technology, also underscores the dynamic nature of this emerging cluster. Companies such as ESS, Powin, and NuScale Power represent companies that are producing ground-breaking technologies, often with the assistance of government funding pre-commercialization. The state has witnessed a substantial increase in CleanTech investments over the years, although there is an opportunity to rally investor support and channel it into sustainable technologies that can make a difference to our planet.
As part of my talk, I introduced the five dimensions critical to cluster development: incumbents, federal funding, startups, investors, and academia. Collaboration across these dimensions will be essential. By nurturing a symbiotic relationship between these entities, Oregon can create a robust ecosystem that not only drives economic growth but also propels us towards our sustainability goals.
Oregon has already demonstrated its capacity for innovation and resilience; now is the time for the stakeholders to collaborate to harness these qualities and be a leader in creating solutions.
Moonbeam helps companies and economic development organizations through data and analytics, innovation programming and ecosystem development initiatives. For examples of our work visit our website.