Former N.Y. Gov. Pataki tours CSU's renewable-energy facilities, start-ups

The national marketing campaign that has highlighted Colorado State University's new-energy and environmental work continued in October when former New York Gov. George Pataki toured the University's clean and renewable energy facilities and start-up companies.

Pataki, now counsel for Chadbourne & Parke LLP, focuses on climate change in his additional role as a delegate to the United Nations, in which he was appointed by President Bush in 2007.

Attuned to sustainable innovation, Pataki toured the CSU Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory and the start-up AVA Solar, which uses the pioneering, patented technology developed by CSU mechanical engineering professor W.S. Sampath to manufacture low-cost, high-efficiency solar panels. Produced at less than $1 per watt, the panels will dramatically reduce the cost of generating solar electricity and could power homes and businesses around the globe with clean energy for roughly the same cost as traditionally generated electricity.

Pataki also visited with the chief executive officers of CSU-spinoffs Spirae Inc. — which applies "smart grid" technology to increase the efficiency of the electrical grid in large, distributed power systems — and Solix Biofuels — which is inexpensively mass producing oil derived from algae and turning it into biodiesel, an environmentally friendly solution to high gas prices, greenhouse gas emissions, and volatile global energy markets.

This spring, Pataki was among the attendees at the inaugural "CSU Accelerates" in New York City, which introduced the work of top CSU scientists to the business and investment community. Led by CSU President Larry Edward Penley, the New York event provided unparalleled opportunity for top CSU scientists to discuss with private and public sector investors emerging research of global importance in clean energy, climate change, and translational biomedicine.

The New York event elevated the University's research profiles and stimulated future market-based partnerships. Representatives of hedge funds, private equity funds, financial services companies, venture capital firms, government, media, and research institutions, participated in a series of sessions with CSU faculty.