Encino Environmental Services
Grant in 2025
Encino Environmental Services, LLC, established in 2010 and headquartered in Alleyton, Texas, is an environmental consulting firm specializing in emissions testing, leak detection and repair (LDAR), and continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMs). The company assists energy industry clients in adhering to federal, state, and other regulatory requirements by providing innovative custom solutions and proprietary data systems. Additionally, Encino supports customers in identifying, measuring, and minimizing emissions while also helping them establish, meet, and report corporate ESG efforts.
Envana Software Solutions
Grant in 2025
Envana Software Solutions, established in 2023 and based in Houston, Texas, offers software-as-a-service products focused on greenhouse gas emissions management and carbon accounting. The company provides tools that enable organizations, particularly in the oil and gas sector, to track, measure, analyze, and forecast the emissions impact of their operations. By enhancing transparency regarding the environmental effects of drilling, completions, and production activities, Envana's software delivers critical insights that help companies manage and reduce their overall carbon footprint effectively.
Hyliion is a company based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to providing innovative electrified solutions for the commercial vehicle industry and beyond. Its primary objective is to reduce carbon intensity and greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector by offering advanced powertrain solutions for Class 8 commercial vehicles. Hyliion's key products include a hybrid powertrain system and the Hypertruck ERX system, designed to deliver the lowest total cost of ownership while promoting sustainability. In addition to its focus on transportation, Hyliion is developing distributed power generators capable of utilizing various fuel sources, which can serve applications such as prime power, peak shaving, and renewable energy matching. The KARNO generator, a fuel-agnostic solution featuring a linear heat generator architecture enabled by additive manufacturing, exemplifies the company's commitment to flexible and affordable electricity production. Overall, Hyliion seeks to contribute positively to the energy economy by providing practical solutions that align with environmental goals.
GridBeyond Limited specializes in smart grid optimization solutions that utilize artificial intelligence to support a transition to a zero-carbon future. The company's platform integrates on-site hardware, cloud-based software, and a hybrid battery and demand network, enabling the automation and control of energy demand through machine learning technology. GridBeyond serves a diverse range of sectors, including industrial, manufacturing, and logistics, by connecting distributed energy resources with electricity markets. This approach allows customers to access utility-scale renewable generation and battery storage, thus maximizing efficiency and enhancing grid performance. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Watford, United Kingdom, GridBeyond also has offices in Dublin, Cork, and Houston.
Nanohmics Inc., founded in 2002 and based in Austin, Texas, specializes in providing custom solutions in various advanced technological fields, including computational imaging, electro-optics, vacuum deposition, micro- and nanofabrication, and embedded systems instrumentation. The company focuses on integrating innovative power and thermal control subsystems with its devices, enabling enhanced performance across multiple applications such as surveillance, detection, and energy conversion. Nanohmics develops technologies that facilitate actionable information collection and analysis, promoting system automation and improving efficiency through smart sensing and automation.
GridBeyond Limited specializes in smart grid optimization solutions that utilize artificial intelligence to support a transition to a zero-carbon future. The company's platform integrates on-site hardware, cloud-based software, and a hybrid battery and demand network, enabling the automation and control of energy demand through machine learning technology. GridBeyond serves a diverse range of sectors, including industrial, manufacturing, and logistics, by connecting distributed energy resources with electricity markets. This approach allows customers to access utility-scale renewable generation and battery storage, thus maximizing efficiency and enhancing grid performance. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Watford, United Kingdom, GridBeyond also has offices in Dublin, Cork, and Houston.
Valence Surface Technologies
Grant in 2024
Valence Surface Technologies, LLC is an independent metal finishing company that specializes in serving the aviation, defense, and space industries. Established in 1957 and headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, the company operates multiple facilities across critical aerospace manufacturing hubs, including locations in California, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Georgia. Valence provides a comprehensive suite of services, including aerospace metal finishing, chemical processing (such as anodizing and chemical film coating), plating, painting and spray coating, shot peening, and non-destructive testing. The company is particularly focused on mission-critical components, ensuring stringent quality standards are met for flight-critical parts. Valence's extensive expertise and broad range of capabilities enable it to handle a variety of components, from large structural parts to intricate engine and electronic components, making it a key player in the aerospace and defense sectors.
Solugen
Debt Financing in 2024
Solugen, Inc. is a specialty chemicals company based in Houston, Texas, that focuses on producing industrial chemicals through industrial biotechnology and green chemistry. Founded in 2016, Solugen develops a range of environmentally friendly products, including BioPeroxide, a carbon-negative hydrogen peroxide, and BioChelate, a biodegradable chelant. The company also offers ScavSol, a multivalent metal sequestrant for energy applications; ScaleSol, an alternative to phosphonates for scale control; and CorrSol, a corrosion and fouling control product. By utilizing fermentation and enzymatic technology to convert plant sugars into chemicals, Solugen aims to replace petroleum-based products with plant-derived alternatives. Its innovative solutions are designed to benefit various industries, including agriculture, cleaning, energy, and water, while also addressing critical issues such as clean water, sustainable materials, and healthier personal care products.
Texas Tech University
Grant in 2024
Texas Tech University, established in 1923, is the largest comprehensive higher education institution in the western two-thirds of Texas. Located in Lubbock, it serves as the primary institution in a region larger than 46 of the nation's 50 states, uniquely housing a major university, a law school, and a medical school on its campus. Initially opened in 1925 with an enrollment of 914 students, Texas Tech has grown significantly, achieving record enrollment and research expenditures, which exceeded $140 million in 2012. The university emphasizes student achievement and provides a supportive academic environment through a distinguished faculty known for excellence in teaching and research. Additionally, the Texas Tech University System encompasses multiple institutions, including health sciences centers, aimed at advancing education, healthcare, research, and outreach. The university's commitment to fostering a diverse and quality-driven academic community continues to propel it toward becoming one of the nation’s leading research institutions.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Grant in 2024
Texas A&M University-Kingsville is a public research university based in Kingsville.
Xcel Energy is an electric and natural gas utility company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 1909. It serves approximately 3.8 million electric customers and 2.2 million natural gas customers across eight states. The company is involved in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity, utilizing a diverse mix of energy sources including coal, nuclear, natural gas, hydro, solar, biomass, oil, and wind. Xcel Energy is recognized as one of the largest suppliers of renewable energy in the United States, with over half of its electricity sales derived from carbon-free sources. Its operations are organized into five segments: electricity, natural gas, renewable energy, transmission, and innovation, which also includes the development and leasing of natural gas pipelines and related facilities.
University of Houston
Grant in 2023
The University of Houston (UH), established in 1927, is a public research university located in Houston, Texas. Educating nearly 40,000 students each year, UH offers over 300 undergraduate and graduate programs, including highly regarded offerings in fields such as Electrical Engineering, Business, Fine Arts, and Law. The university is home to distinguished faculty members, including Pulitzer Prize and National Medal of Science recipients, who contribute to an exceptional learning environment. UH boasts 40 research centers and is recognized as a leading research institution in Houston. Additionally, the university provides valuable internship opportunities with nationally recognized companies, enhancing students' practical experience. Student life is vibrant, featuring more than 400 student organizations and 16 intercollegiate athletic teams, along with extensive student services that include academic, career, and personal support, as well as various financial aid options.
Xcel Energy is an electric and natural gas utility company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, founded in 1909. It serves approximately 3.8 million electric customers and 2.2 million natural gas customers across eight states. The company is involved in the generation, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity, utilizing a diverse mix of energy sources including coal, nuclear, natural gas, hydro, solar, biomass, oil, and wind. Xcel Energy is recognized as one of the largest suppliers of renewable energy in the United States, with over half of its electricity sales derived from carbon-free sources. Its operations are organized into five segments: electricity, natural gas, renewable energy, transmission, and innovation, which also includes the development and leasing of natural gas pipelines and related facilities.
The University of Texas at Dallas
Grant in 2023
The University of Texas at Dallas, located 18 miles from downtown Dallas, is a distinguished public research university in Richardson, Texas, renowned for its high academic standards and research excellence. Offering over 140 academic programs across undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels, the university hosts 50 research centers and institutes that focus on various disciplines, including Space Science, Bioengineering, Cybersecurity, and Nanotechnology. UT Dallas has garnered top rankings for its MBA and Engineering programs, attracting high-performing students from Texas and beyond. The institution employs a selective admissions policy, generally admitting students with SAT scores above 1200. In addition to its academic rigor, UT Dallas provides a vibrant campus life, featuring a Division III athletics program and over 160 student organizations, including a nationally recognized debate team. The university emphasizes personal interaction among students and faculty, along with accessible resources for academic, career, and personal counseling. To support low-income students, UT Dallas offers a "tuition promise" plan that guarantees full grants to cover tuition costs.
Innowatts, Inc. is a Houston-based company founded in 2013 that specializes in software solutions for energy management. The company develops the PowerEASE platform, which focuses on load forecasting, energy risk optimization, and infrastructure planning. Innowatts leverages advanced data analytics and machine learning to assist energy retailers and utility companies in managing their operations effectively. Its eUtility technology platform utilizes data from over 34 million meters to enhance grid reliability and profitability while promoting sustainability. The company's customer base includes retail energy providers, regulated utility companies, regulatory boards, and residential communities, all benefiting from Innowatts' insights to improve customer relationships and adapt to the evolving energy landscape.
Rice University
Grant in 2023
Rice University is a private research institution located in Houston, Texas, established in 1912. It emphasizes education across various fields, including humanities, sciences, and engineering, creating an environment that fosters diversity and intellectual growth. The university prioritizes close relationships between students and faculty, facilitating personalized academic experiences that enhance learning and research initiatives. Through its commitment to academic excellence, Rice University supports a wide range of programs, including scholarships, professorships, and fellowships, contributing to both basic research and public service initiatives.
Southwest Research Institute
Grant in 2023
Southwest Research Institute is an independent, non-profit organization benefiting the government, industry, and the public through innovative science and technology. It is an applied research and development organization that has a staff that specializes in the creation and transfer of technology in engineering and the physical sciences. Its technical divisions offer a wide range of technical expertise and services in such areas as engine design and development, emissions certification testing, fuels and lubricants evaluation, chemistry, space science, nondestructive evaluation, automation, mechanical engineering, electronics, and more. The organization’s total revenue for fiscal year 2014 was 549 million U.S. dollars and spent more than 6.9 million U.S. dollars for internal research to develop innovative technologies that benefits clients through technology transfer as part of funded projects. Southwest Research Institute was established in 1947 by Thomas Baker Slick Jr. It is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.
Howard Energy Partners
Grant in 2023
Howard Energy Partners is an independent midstream energy company that focuses on natural gas gathering and transportation services within the energy sector. The company operates a comprehensive midstream platform, which includes natural gas gathering and transportation pipelines, natural gas liquids processing plants, rail facilities, liquid storage terminals, and deep-water port facilities. With operations primarily in Texas and Pennsylvania, Howard Energy Partners aims to provide access to abundant, clean, low-cost, and reliable energy. The company maintains corporate offices in San Antonio, Houston, and Mexico City, emphasizing its commitment to the midstream sector.
Carter Wind is a manufacturer based in Wichita Falls, Texas, specializing in turbine technology for utility, distributed, and microgrid power generation. The company focuses on providing commercial wind turbines that utilize low-cost wind energy, making them suitable for manufacturing and operational purposes. Its innovative self-erecting turbine designs are specifically engineered to perform in remote and extreme environments where traditional wind turbine technologies may not be feasible. By enabling manufacturing plants to harness wind energy as an alternative power source, Carter Wind contributes to clean energy production and helps reduce fuel costs.
Sunnova Energy
Post in 2023
Sunnova Energy International Inc., established in 2012 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, specializes in providing residential solar and energy storage services across the United States. The company offers comprehensive services including operations and maintenance, monitoring, repairs, replacements, equipment upgrades, and on-site power optimization. With a customer base of approximately 80,000 and a generation capacity of around 572 megawatts, Sunnova serves customers through a network of local installation partners, ensuring affordable and reliable energy solutions.
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
Grant in 2022
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station provides engineering and technology-oriented research and educational collaborations.
ICE Thermal Harvesting
Grant in 2022
ICE Thermal Harvesting is a Texas-based company that specializes in converting waste heat into electricity, providing a zero-emission power solution for various regions globally. The company employs a unique technology that harnesses geothermal energy and utilizes established heat-to-power concepts to generate emissions-free electricity. This innovative approach allows industrial consumers to access a consistent and reliable energy supply while minimizing environmental impact. By focusing on the integration of waste heat recovery into energy systems, ICE Thermal Harvesting aims to contribute to a sustainable energy future.
Energy Fuels
Grant in 2021
Energy Fuels Inc. is a leading producer of uranium in the United States, specializing in the extraction and recovery of both conventional and in-situ uranium. The company operates significant assets, including the White Mesa Mill in Utah, which is the only conventional uranium mill in the country, and the Nichols Ranch facility in Wyoming. With a combined licensed capacity to produce over 10 million pounds of uranium per year, Energy Fuels supplies natural uranium concentrates to major global nuclear utilities, supporting the production of carbon-free nuclear energy. In addition to uranium, the company also engages in the production of vanadium and holds a diverse portfolio of uranium and uranium/vanadium properties across several states, including Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. Incorporated in 1987 and headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado, Energy Fuels was previously known as Volcanic Metals Exploration Inc. before rebranding in 2006.
SolarBridge Technologies
Grant in 2011
SolarBridge Technologies, originally founded as SmartSpark Energy Systems in 2004, specializes in microinverter and monitoring solutions for residential and small commercial solar power installations. The company pivoted to focus exclusively on the solar industry in 2009, leveraging power electronics technologies developed at the University of Illinois. With significant research and development facilities in Champaign, Illinois, and a corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas, SolarBridge aims to enhance the efficiency and reliability of solar energy systems. Their offerings include an energy management system that integrates a microinverter directly with photovoltaic modules, providing alternating current power to the grid. Additionally, SolarBridge provides a solar information module that gathers performance data from each microinverter, allowing system owners to analyze and monitor their solar installations remotely via the Internet. Through these innovations, SolarBridge Technologies seeks to lower the Levelized Cost of Energy for solar installations while improving overall energy production and simplifying installation processes.
SolarBridge Technologies
Grant in 2011
SolarBridge Technologies, originally founded as SmartSpark Energy Systems in 2004, specializes in microinverter and monitoring solutions for residential and small commercial solar power installations. The company pivoted to focus exclusively on the solar industry in 2009, leveraging power electronics technologies developed at the University of Illinois. With significant research and development facilities in Champaign, Illinois, and a corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas, SolarBridge aims to enhance the efficiency and reliability of solar energy systems. Their offerings include an energy management system that integrates a microinverter directly with photovoltaic modules, providing alternating current power to the grid. Additionally, SolarBridge provides a solar information module that gathers performance data from each microinverter, allowing system owners to analyze and monitor their solar installations remotely via the Internet. Through these innovations, SolarBridge Technologies seeks to lower the Levelized Cost of Energy for solar installations while improving overall energy production and simplifying installation processes.
Foro Energy, Inc. specializes in the development and commercialization of high power laser technology aimed at the oil, natural gas, geothermal, and mining industries. Based in Houston, Texas, the company manufactures advanced laser systems that facilitate drilling and servicing energy wells. Its innovative technology utilizes Stimulated Brillouin Scattering to enhance laser transmission through fiber optic cables, allowing for efficient operation over long distances. Foro Energy also provides a range of supporting components, including optical slip rings and downhole connectors, which are designed to withstand harsh conditions and enable effective energy transfer. Founded in 2008, the company is focused on harnessing laser technology to improve access to geothermal energy and optimize drilling processes in challenging environments.