Government officials, leaders in business and finance and representatives from research institutions mingled at the governor’s mansion Thursday as part of the state’s promotion of a business and research park devoted to accelerating the transition to a renewable-energy future.
Global Energy Park, or Glo Park, is planned for about 10 acres next to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden. Gov. Jared Polis unveiled plans in 2021 for the park, which will be built on a site put together through a series of land swaps with various parties, including Jefferson County.
The state, NREL and the Colorado Energy Research Collaboratory sponsored a three-day conference this week with about 150 people to discuss Glo Park. They discussed ways that government, businesses, investors and academia can expedite the move to renewable energy and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to tackle climate change.
Denver-based NexCore Group will develop the two buildings that will house startups, established companies and research institutions. NexCore CEO Greg Venn said the groundbreaking could be in May 2024.
NexCore, Polis and NREL made a pitch during the Thursday night reception for businesses, investors and universities to get involved in Glo Park.
“Glo Park is only possible and will only be successful if we have partners like you, private companies and universities that come together,” said Todd Varney, NexCore’s chief development officer. “We want your vision as we shape the design and uses and of course the tenancy.”
NexCore was selected as the developer after a national search. Venn said the firm’s experience with healthcare facilities across the country will help with the planning for the Glo Park buildings. He added that “there’s a lot of designing to do” and much will depend on the size and type of space tenants want.
NexCore will own the buildings and the state owns the land. Venn expects the project to gain high interest from investors committed to sustainable energy.
Polis said Colorado’s commitment to renewable energy, its workforce, federal labs, such as NREL, and universities make the state a good location for the kind of hub of global innovation that Glo Park is intended to be.
“Here in Colorado we pride ourselves on entrepreneurship, on a thriving startup scene, but also our commitment to climate,” Polis said.
When he ran for governor, Polis set a goal of Colorado getting 100% of its power from renewable energy sources by 2040. The legislature has passed several bills on cutting greenhouse-gas emissions to address climate change.
“We’ve built a strong ecosystem of clean energy leaders and companies and research labs and institutions,” Polis said. “Glo Park is going to be in many ways a linchpin of that successful renewable energy ecosystem to further Colorado as an epicenter for energy in the nation.”
Lu Cordova is head of strategic planning and projects for Polis and is the director of Glo Park. The state has received letters from people who are interested in being involved with the project. Cordova declined to disclose names of prospective tenants.
“We have a lot of companies helping us design our space. We need their help even if they’re not going to be tenants,” Cordova said.
She added that several multinational companies attended this week’s conference to learn more about the energy park. Cordova said there are a few facilities in the U.S. that do some of what Glo Park will, but believes the Colorado facility will be more encompassing.
The site will be next to open space and will have trails and an amphitheater. Cordova said the state has received federal grants for artwork on the grounds that will also be energy demonstration projects. Information about careers in the energy field will be available by accessing QR codes along the walking trails.
The proximity to NREL is a draw for startups and established companies alike, Cordova said. “NREL has over a thousand partners, but they can’t house them all at NREL,” she said.
The federal lab has not signed onto being a partner in Glo Park but is promoting the project. Martin Keller, NREL director, said during the reception at the governor’s mansion that “we need all of you, industry, to participate to really accelerate the energy transition.”
SJ Maxted with Deloitte was one of the speakers at the Glo Park conference. Maxted, who heads Deloitte’s GreenSpace Tech, said the hub will be a good opportunity to harness the region’s expertise in sustainable energy.
“We have all these pieces but no one’s really pulled them together,” Maxted said.
Get more business news by signing up for our Economy Now newsletter.
