NSF Engines Development Award: Advancing energy technologies in tribal communities (CA)

这一区域创新引擎发展奖的重点是在南加州部落社区内发展一个充满活力的创新生态系统。部落能源创新加速器(TEIA)项目将系统地推动清洁能源技术、企业和项目的发展，以加速该地区向可持续和有弹性的经济转型。TEIA生态系统将围绕南加州部落主席协会(SCTCA)的合作框架形成，该协会自1971年以来一直通过一系列项目支持部落，以帮助加强经济韧性。在获得适当资金和领导的情况下，TEIA地区将在清洁能源创新和发展方面进行变革性投资，该地区横跨25个SCTCA成员部落。SCTCA成员部落为清洁能源解决方案、劳动力发展和经济发展带来了强烈的需求和巨大的机遇。它们还提供独特的潜力，通过托管创新的清洁能源项目--包括示范/试点项目和制造设施--来支持快速增长。TEIA合作伙伴组织包括SCTCA、可持续繁荣、使命印第安人Pala Band、清洁技术圣地亚哥、加州大学河滨分校、加州大学圣地亚哥分校、GRID Alternative和微电网研究所。区域创新引擎发展奖将支持各种活动，包括完善战略和计划，协作工作以使TEIA组织正规化；初始人员配备；拓展、参与和协作以巩固伙伴关系；以及启动清洁能源创新和开发活动。该项目将解决影响部落获得创新清洁能源技术和发展机会的关键差距，方法是提供专门的中央资源，包括拥有全面技能和知识的工作人员和合作伙伴，以支持整个南太地区的研发和发展。TEIA的协作过程将促进从许多不同学科的核心合作伙伴和合作者那里收集想法、知识、方法和专业知识，包括技术和非技术领域。这种协作工作将产生切实的转化成果，包括创新的清洁能源设备产品、有弹性的清洁能源生产系统、部落创业企业以及劳动力发展和就业培训服务。TEIA将为寻求区域清洁能源创新和发展所需职位的候选人提供清洁能源技术工作培训、学徒和安置援助-优先考虑部落成员和其他历史上被排斥和处于不利地位的社区。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This Regional Innovation Engines Development Award is focused on developing a dynamic innovation ecosystem within the tribal communities of Southern California. The Tribal Energy Innovation Accelerator (TEIA) project will systematically drive the development of clean energy technologies, businesses, and projects to accelerate the region's transformation into a sustainable and resilient economy. The TEIA ecosystem will form around the collaborative framework of the Southern California Tribal Chairman's Association (SCTCA), which since 1971 has supported Tribes with a range of programs assisting efforts to strengthen economic resilience. The TEIA region, spanning the lands of 25 SCTCA member Tribes, is poised for a transformative investment in clean energy innovation and development, given access to appropriate funding and leadership. SCTCA member Tribes bring a strong need and significant opportunity for clean energy solutions, workforce development, and economic development. They also offer unique potential to support rapid growth by hosting innovative clean energy projects - including demonstration/pilot projects and manufacturing facilities. TEIA partner organizations include SCTCA, Prosper Sustainably, Pala Band of Mission Indians, Cleantech San Diego, University of California - Riverside, University of California - San Diego, GRID Alternatives, and the Microgrid Institute.The Regional Innovation Engines Development Award will support activities including refinement of strategies and plans, collaborative work to formalize the TEIA organization; initial staffing; outreach, engagement, and collaboration to solidify partnerships; and initiation of clean energy innovation and development activities. The project will address critical gaps affecting Tribes' access to innovative clean energy technologies and development opportunities by providing dedicated central resources, including staff and partners with full skills and knowledge to support R&D and development across the SCTCA region. TEIA's collaborative processes will facilitate gathering ideas, knowledge, methods, and expertise from core partners and collaborators in many different disciplines, technical and non-technical. This collaborative work will yield tangible translational outcomes, including innovative clean energy equipment products, resilient clean energy-producing systems, Tribal entrepreneurial businesses, and workforce development and job training services. TEIA will provide clean energy technology job training, apprenticeships, and placement assistance for candidates seeking positions in roles required for regional clean energy innovation and development - prioritizing members of Tribes and other historically excluded and disadvantaged communities.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.