innovationUTAH.com

About the Southern Utah Outreach Center

Renewable Energy

USTAR's Southern Utah TOIP team has published a report that provides an overview of Utah's renewable energy resources. In addition to data on the state's opportunities in geothermal, wind, solar, and biomass energy generation, there are brief technology assessments, and a chart (slide 13) indicating potential collaborations with USTAR Research teams. An outline of next steps (slide 18) is provided. The team is working on a follow-on report to provide commercialization/market assessment data for all the technologies discussed.

The Southern Utah USTAR team is also working closely with researchers at USU's Energy Lab on alternative fuels. On this topic, USU released in May 2009 a comprehensive 30-page report entitled "Algae Biofuels & Carbon Recycling - A Summary of Opportunities, Challenges and Research Needs."

As background information, read the report released in April 2009 by Utah Clean Energy on "Building the Clean Energy Economy: Jobs and Economic Development in Utah."

SEED Dixie Partnership

SEED Dixie partners with USTAR in sponsoring the Dixie Angels and the Dixie Technology Association (Dixie Techs). The Dixie Angels see ten pitch presentations each year which are carefully screened from dozens applying to the angelsoft site. This new angel group has funded two businesses in 2008.

Dixie Techs was established to nurture and provide resources to the technology sector, a seedbed of entrepreneurially minded businesses and individuals. Guided by an eight-member steering committee, the Dixie Techs group meets every month in Tech Friday gatherings to network, hear speakers, and share information.

The recently formed Dixie Entrepreneur Association board of directors will be advising SEED Dixie activities. Led by Chuck Summerhays, the former CEO of Teledyne, the board includes successful business owners with a diversity of experience.

Currently the SEED Dixie/USTAR partners engage with clients for initial consulting for an assessment. If the concept or business has the potential to reach national markets and create high paying jobs, it proceeds to more advanced counseling and additional USTAR resources.

USTAR has launched the Technology Commercialization Grant program in yet another effort to bring innovative new technologies to market from Utah’s regional public colleges and universities. With a typical award size of $30,000, these grants will assist faculty to prototype, test, assess markets, and commercialize new products and services in high-growth markets.