BE PART OF THE INNOVATION

The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute is building America’s hub for discovery, science and technology talent.

We want to hear your ideas, and we’re always looking for new partners.

Here are just a few of the ways we’re partnering with other colleges and universities, industry and other future-minded organizations.

‘SECOND-LIFE’ BATTERY STORAGE

UT-ORII is teaming up with Nissan, Middle Tennessee Electric, Tennessee State University and Seven States Power Corporation to launch an innovative second-life battery storage project. UT-ORII is leading the research aspect of the project, with Tom Zawodzinski, UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Electrical Energy Conversion and Storage heading up the effort.

“Partnering on projects like these play a critical role in driving our Ambition 2030 vision and carbon neutrality goals in the U.S.,” said Kent O’Hara, President, Nissan 4R Energy U.S.

This project will repurpose Nissan’s used electric vehicle batteries, giving them a “second life” as a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Nissan America’s headquarters in Franklin, Tenn.

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LEARNING COLLABORATIVE

UT-ORII’s annual Learning Collaboratives encourage the sharing of new ideas, best practices and lessons learned, as we work together to build the strongest, most diverse pipeline of STEM talent for our nation.

Each year, great minds from academia, ORNL and other national laboratories, industry and leading organizations come together to strategize solutions to important issues involving education, innovation and workforce development.

FUTURE READY WORKSHOP

More than 40 leaders from the Oak Ridge community participated in UT-ORII’s first Future Ready Workshop in 2022. Leaders came together to plan and prepare for the next generation of opportunities and workforce development needs in Oak Ridge.

Leaders from Y-12 National Security Complex, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, UCOR, Kairos Power, Carbon Rivers, Triso-X, Tennessee Valley Authority, East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC), City Of Oak Ridge, The Roane Alliance, CROET, Pellissippi State Community College, TCAT, Roane State Community College, the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and UT-ORII participated.