May 28, 2008

The Business Journal’s Central California Real Estate Awards named California State University, Fresno as a winner of a Gold Award for community impact.

The university won the award for the Claude Laval Water and Energy Technology (WET) Incubator, which opened March 2007. Home to five early-stage businesses specializing in water or energy technology, the incubator creates entrepreneurial opportunities that can have a real impact on the Valley’s future.

The incubator gives developing energy and water businesses a wide variety of services that dramatically increase their potential for growth and success. In the long run, the incubator’s efforts to preserve resources may impact generations of Valley residents.

The WET Incubator is a joint partnership between Fresno State’s International Center for Water Technology (ICWT) and Central Valley Business Incubator (CVBI). It is expected to be at the international forefront of developing water, energy and other environmental technologies.

The ICWT provides technical review and evaluation of emerging water and clean energy technologies for the incubator. This includes technology development assistance, research, development, industry testing, certification, education and training.

In addition to serving the needs of the region’s growing water technology industry, the WET Incubator provides Fresno State students with the opportunity to learn about solar power generated by photovoltaic panels, which are on the roof of the incubator to fully power its daily operation.

The building itself is a model of environmental technology. Its solar panels can generate enough power for its own needs and excess power is returned to the university’s grid for use campuswide.

“This project is a true catalyst for innovation, entrepreneurship, research and job creation in the community,” said Cynthia Teniente-Matson, vice president for administration and chief financial officer at Fresno State.