Nikola Corporation, a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, and Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) have executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on and evaluate the co-development of large-scale U.S. green hydrogen production facilities.
The City of Phoenix launched its permanent Shared Micromobility Program by hosting a special event in downtown with vendors Lime and Spin. The vendors showcased their inventory of e-scooters, e-bikes, traditional pedal bikes and adaptive bikes to downtown stakeholders and the media.
Raytheon Missiles & Defense, a business of Raytheon Technologies, is the first corporate tenant at the new UA Tech Park at the Bridges, leasing approximately 14,000 square feet of office space just minutes away from the University of Arizona (UA) main campus. The park’s offerings extend beyond bricks and mortar boundaries to provide customized business development support that ensures companies are plugged into the resources of the University of Arizona.
When tech entrepreneur Matt Pobloske bought longtime Tucson optics firm Breault Research Organization about five years ago, the idea was to rejuvenate and grow the somewhat stagnant company. He has done that and more, hiring new engineers and key senior staff and expanding the company’s defense business. Most recently, Breault won a Navy small-business research contract to develop a next-generation missile warhead, and the company is also working on landing lights for a U.S. aircraft carrier.
When Vincit CEO Ville Houttu moved from Finland to California to launch the company’s U.S. subsidiary in 2016, he had ambitions of tapping into a new market ripe with innovation and demand for high-end software services. The software and development company had an established presence in Finland, where it grew to more than 350 employees and went public on the Nasdaq First North marketplace. It was also named the Best Place to Work in Europe by the Great Place to Work Institute.
Life is full of surprises. Like this one: Only 11.4% of Arizona’s total electricity came from solar, wind, and energy storage power plants in 2022, according to industry group American Clean Power. That put the state in 25th place in the nation. Living in the land of endless sunshine would make anyone here think the first figure should be bigger and the other should be higher.
Arizona is emerging as one of the nation’s top destinations for sustainable industries. Sectors including electric and zero-emission vehicle manufacturing, next-generation battery technology, solar and other clean energy production, biodegradable materials, freshwater science, agritech, and more have flourished in recent years. Last spring, Nikola Motors celebrated the production launch of its first fully electric semis from its 1-million-square-foot factory in Coolidge. The gleaming, white-and-black Tre BEV semi-trucks rolling off production lines are headed to customers across the United States, adding 645 horsepower to the slogan “Made in Arizona.”
When it comes to proponents of clean energy, the utilities and companies acting individually capture the most attention. But in Arizona, partnerships working behind the scenes are helping to shine a light on the benefits of this developing sector. Since 1991, the nonprofit Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association has been in operation. More commonly known as AriSEIA, the trade organization currently represents the solar, storage and electrification industry; solar-friendly businesses; and others interested in advancing solar and complementary technologies in Arizona. AriSEIA recently held it 2022 Arizona Energy Future: Innovation, Technology & Economic Opportunity Conference at Arizona State University.
While old habits may die hard, Arizona utilities are embracing new ones to deliver clean energy that can power the state now and into the future. came in early 2020 when Arizona Public Service (APS), the state’s largest energy company, announced it was setting a goal to deliver clean, carbon-free electricity to its customers by 2050. That is no small feat when you consider APS serves more than 1.3 million homes and businesses in 11 of the state’s 15 counties. The goal includes a 2030 target of achieving a resource mix that is 65% clean energy, with 45% of its generation portfolio coming from renewable energy.
Looking to the future, clean technologies are becoming more a necessity than a luxury. With headlines filled with news about climate change, greenhouse gases, carbon emissions and the depleting ozone layer, society demands better technology for a cleaner environment. Universities and other institutions of higher education have important roles as leaders in sustainability projects because it is critical to the education students receive, as well as to the future of our society. Also, universities have the ability to leverage great research strength in this industry for the future of Earth.