The new $18.5 million Powerhouse Energy Institute not only will connect CSU faculty of all stripes, but will give Woodward Inc.’s research and development efforts a nice-sized boost.

It also will build a more solid foundation for Woodward to continue to recruit graduating engineering students to join its ranks in Northern Colorado.

“We have a pretty good track record of hiring good, capable engineers from CSU at Woodward,” said Chris Preiss, president of Woodward Engine Systems.

As part of an expansion of the Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory, the Powerhouse Energy Institute is being built in the historic power plant building in North Old Town. Plans to expand the engines lab have gotten plenty of press, but the university also announced earlier this month the formation of the institute to espouse a broader mission of energy research.

In addition to the engines labs, the institute will house former Gov. Bill Ritter’s Center for the New Energy Economy and the Department of Mechanical Engineering’s Industrial Assessment Center. Other energy programs from inside and outside CSU could move there as the expansion takes shape in the next year.

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