West Gate
Stored: West Gate
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy |
| Top Organization | Department of Energy |
| Creation Legislation | None |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | West Gate embeds early-stage cleantech innovators at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to de-risk and commercialize transformative energy technologies. It aims to accelerate clean energy solutions, support entrepreneurship, and advance decarbonization through a two-year fellowship model. |
| Program Start | 2021 |
| Initial Funding | $2.5 million |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
The West Gate program, launched in November 2021 by the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), embeds innovators at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as the fourth node of the Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP), supporting over 15 fellows across three cohorts by 2025 who develop technologies from carbon dioxide storage to solar efficiency enhancements.
With initial funding from EERE’s Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) and support from the Colorado School of Mines, West Gate leverages NREL’s world-class labs—like the Energy Systems Integration Facility—raising over $10 million in follow-on funding for its first cohort by 2024.[1]
Cohort 3, the most diverse yet, began in September 2024, reinforcing DOE’s clean energy transition goals amid broader U.S. energy policy discussions.
Goals
- De-risk cleantech innovations for market readiness within two years.
- Train entrepreneurs to launch startups advancing energy efficiency and renewables.
- Bolster U.S. clean energy leadership with scalable, impactful technologies.[2]
Organization
West Gate is sponsored by EERE’s AMMTO, hosted at NREL’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IEC), and managed by Program Director Shelly Curtiss, with support from the Colorado School of Mines. Funding from AMMTO and DOE offices supports fellowships, lab access, and mentorship.[3]
Partners
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Colorado School of Mines
- Argonne National Laboratory
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
History
Announced on November 29, 2021, West Gate expanded LEEP with a $2.5 million investment, welcoming Cohort 1 in September 2022 to tackle materials circularity and energy storage.[4] Cohort 2 started in 2023, raising the bar with innovations like brine mineral extraction, while Cohort 3, launched September 2024, broadened technological diversity with six DOE offices funding it. West Gate continues to evolve, supporting DOE’s clean energy mission.
Funding
Initial funding of $2.5 million in 2021 covered Cohort 1’s five fellows, with over $7.5 million allocated by 2025 across three cohorts—each fellow receiving $100,000/year stipends and up to $175,000 in R&D.[5] Ongoing AMMTO support, with $10 million+ in follow-on funding by 2024, sustains the program with no end date, tied to DOE’s decarbonization goals.
Implementation
West Gate embeds 3-5 fellows per cohort at NREL for two years, providing lab access (e.g., Flatirons Campus), mentorship, and tools like MathWorks, with Cohort 3 active as of September 2024.[6] It progresses through competitive cohort cycles—e.g., Cohort 4 applications closed January 14, 2025—focusing on cleantech innovations, adapting to energy needs without a fixed end.
Related
External links
- https://www.nrel.gov/west-gate/
- https://www.energy.gov/eere/amo/lab-embedded-entrepreneurship-program
- wikipedia:Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program
Social media
References
- ↑ "West Gate". National Renewable Energy Laboratory. https://www.nrel.gov/west-gate/.
- ↑ "LEEP Overview". Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/eere/amo/lab-embedded-entrepreneurship-program.
- ↑ "Cohort 3 Diversity". National Renewable Energy Laboratory. https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2024/west-gates-third-cohort-most-diverse-set-of-technologies-yet.html.
- ↑ "West Gate Launch". Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/department-energy-launches-fourth-lab-embedded-entrepreneurship-program-help.
- ↑ "West Gate Launch". Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/department-energy-launches-fourth-lab-embedded-entrepreneurship-program-help.
- ↑ "West Gate". National Renewable Energy Laboratory. https://www.nrel.gov/west-gate/.