The CCEC was awarded a grant from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) in 2011 to drive a state-wide Clean Energy Supply Chain Development initiative. This initiative aims to grow the Clean Energy supply chain in Colorado through the identification of capable component suppliers and ensuring connections among suppliers, customers, and industry resources.

Developed in response to needs identified by the industry, and in conjunction with various public and private statewide agencies, this initiative will use a “boots on the ground” approach to:

• Identify the Supply Chain needs of Clean Energy Companies - Determine what they need to close “gaps” in their current supply chain.
• Connect Players - When appropriate, provide contacts in the Office of Economic Development, the statewide Economic Development Corporations, Colorado Association for Manufacturing and Technology (CAMT) and other state agencies to assist Clean Energy Companies in solving short term supply chain challenges.
• Support development of the Supplier Asset Map - Work closely with CAMT to support the development of a mapping tool that will provide quick access and useful information regarding Colorado supply chain companies.
• Foster a Team approach - Conduct review sessions with members from state agencies such as OEDIT, EDC, CAMT, CSU Extension and Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) to develop unified efforts to advance causes important to the Clean Energy Supply Chain.
• Provide Expertise – Offer consulting and advice to Clean Energy Companies or their supply chain partners as requested.

Combined with CAMT’s Supplier Asset Map and OEDIT’s economic development efforts, the Clean Energy Supply Chain Initiative will enable the growth of the industry by helping to identify business and partnership opportunities across the state and providing strategic resources to move deals forward. The initiative will leverage these contacts for clean energy industries in wind, solar and smart grid. Clean Energy companies expanding their supply chains in Colorado will benefit with higher quality products at a lower cost delivered in a shorter time as well as providing an import substitution strategy for companies with overseas supply sources.

Colorado is fortunate to already have several prominent clean energy companies. Examples include:

• Vestas, one of the leading global wind turbine developers, also has a strong presence producing blades, nacelles, and towers in plants in Windsor, Brighton, and Pueblo.
• Woodward, a global company headquartered in Northern Colorado, designs and manufactures inverters for wind turbines, solar PV, and energy storage.
• Advanced Energy, Fort Collins, which provides industry-leading companies worldwide with power conversion products that enable innovation in thin-film manufacturing and renewable energy markets.
• Sturman Industries, Woodland Park (near Colorado Springs), designs and produces advanced digital valves, hydraulics and electronics for mechanical system design. They use space-technology designs for environmental applications.
• Abound Solar, Longmont and Loveland, which produces thin film PV panels
• Coolerado, Stapleton, which reduces energy use with efficient air conditioning technology that produces cost savings, improves indoor air quality, and reduces carbon emissions.