US Department of Energy

FirstEnergy Corporation, established in 1996 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, is a diversified energy company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately six million customers across Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. The company operates through regulated distribution and transmission segments, owning and managing a vast network of power plants, transmission lines, and distribution systems. These include coal-fired, nuclear, hydroelectric, natural gas, wind, and solar facilities, as well as 24,486 circuit miles of transmission lines and 269,691 miles of distribution lines, with a total installed transformer capacity of approximately 156,115,196 kilovolt-amperes. In addition to its core operations, FirstEnergy also provides energy-related products and services to retail and wholesale customers, contributing to the strengthening of local communities through its foundation's support of nonprofit organizations.

LUXTECH, LLC is a Philadelphia-based company that specializes in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of LED module solutions for lighting fixture manufacturers. Incorporated in 2012, LUXTECH focuses on specification-grade LED modules tailored for architectural-grade lighting applications. Its product range includes LINEAR Dynamic White, LINEAR White, COB Warm Dim, COB Dynamic White, and FLEX LED modules and tapes, which cater to various sectors, including entertainment, restaurants, educational institutions, cultural offerings, and healthcare. The company is committed to helping original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) enhance their lighting offerings by providing reliable and energy-efficient LED solutions. LUXTECH’s modules are versatile, supporting applications such as troffers, linear lighting systems, downlights, outdoor area lighting, industrial lighting, and specialty luminaires. With a focus on innovation and rapid product development, LUXTECH can create custom prototypes or retrofit existing fixtures in a short timeframe. The company’s products are built with LM-80 tested components and come with a five-year warranty, ensuring high performance and longevity.

PPL is a major U.S. utility holding company that owns and operates regulated utilities across Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Rhode Island. It consistently delivers reliable energy services to its customers while maintaining a strong commitment to employee growth and community support.

Pennsylvania State University, founded in 1855, is Pennsylvania’s largest public university and the state’s only land‑grant institution. It operates 24 campuses across the Commonwealth, offering a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The university emphasizes teaching, research, and public service, collaborating with partners to apply knowledge to community needs. Its specialized schools include the College of Medicine, Dickinson School of Law, World Campus, and Pennsylvania College of Technology. Students from around the world enroll, and many transfer from other Penn State campuses to the flagship University Park campus. The university’s governance is overseen by a board of trustees, and its assets are managed to support students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.

Founded in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh is a renowned research university offering professional medical education through its School of Medicine since 1886. It is ranked No. 24 worldwide and No. 9 among U.S. public universities.

Equipto is a manufacturer of industrial storage products located in Tatamy, Pennsylvania. The company specializes in a diverse range of storage solutions, including modular storage cabinets, modular workshop cabinets, industrial storage cabinets, and specialty racks. Additionally, Equipto produces modular drawer cabinets, mobile aisle systems, steel mezzanines, and work centers, catering to various organizational needs in industrial settings.

Founded in 1883, PPG Industries is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass, and fiberglass. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company operates in over 70 countries, serving diverse markets such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and industrial sectors.

PPL is a major U.S. utility holding company that owns and operates regulated utilities across Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and Rhode Island. It consistently delivers reliable energy services to its customers while maintaining a strong commitment to employee growth and community support.

Carnegie Mellon University is a renowned private research university, offering undergraduate and graduate programs across diverse fields, with a strong focus on technology and arts. It is particularly distinguished for its School of Computer Science, recognized globally for its research and education, and the Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, which uniquely combines management and policy expertise. The university serves various sectors, including education, technology, and the arts, contributing significantly to these fields through its academic programs and research.

Howard Energy Partners is an independent midstream energy company that specializes in the ownership and operation of natural gas gathering and transportation pipelines, natural gas liquids processing plants, rail facilities, liquid storage terminals, and deep-water port facilities. The company operates a comprehensive midstream platform that serves the energy sector, facilitating access to clean, low-cost, and reliable energy. Its assets are primarily located in Texas and Pennsylvania, and the company maintains corporate offices in San Antonio, Houston, and Mexico City. Through its integrated services, Howard Energy Partners plays a crucial role in the energy supply chain, supporting the efficient movement and processing of natural gas and related products.

Founded in 2008, Energy Wall develops and manufactures advanced energy recovery ventilator (ERV) products. Its core technology is a ceramic fiber membrane infused with lithium chloride, which efficiently transfers heat and moisture while blocking particulates and gaseous contaminants. The company offers rotary wheel products for commercial applications and plate-type exchangers for residential use, all designed to enhance energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

PennDOT is in charge of roadways, urban and rural public transit, airports, trains, ports, and waterways. PennDOT invests more than three-quarters of its annual budget in Pennsylvania's nearly 121,000 miles of state and municipal roadways and 32,000 state and local bridges. PennDOT, which was founded in 1911, is directly responsible for about 40,000 miles of roads and around 25,400 bridges.

Pennsylvania State University, founded in 1855, is Pennsylvania’s largest public university and the state’s only land‑grant institution. It operates 24 campuses across the Commonwealth, offering a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. The university emphasizes teaching, research, and public service, collaborating with partners to apply knowledge to community needs. Its specialized schools include the College of Medicine, Dickinson School of Law, World Campus, and Pennsylvania College of Technology. Students from around the world enroll, and many transfer from other Penn State campuses to the flagship University Park campus. The university’s governance is overseen by a board of trustees, and its assets are managed to support students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.

Tandem Repeat is a deep-tech company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 2018. The company specializes in the development of tunable, adaptable, and programmable protein-based bioderived materials, focusing on sustainable manufacturing solutions. Tandem Repeat operates primarily within the textile, medical, and cosmetic industries, offering innovative biopolymer-based textiles that leverage fermentation and biosynthesis technologies. This approach enables the creation of customizable and programmable textiles, positioning the company at the forefront of sustainable materials innovation.

ConnectDER is a solar technology company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 2011. It specializes in designing and manufacturing meter collars that facilitate the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging to residential homes and the grid. By transforming the electricity meter socket into an interconnection point, ConnectDER enhances the integration and management of DERs. The company also offers ConnectDER Cloud, a system that allows fleet operators to access metering data, manage operational parameters, and control firmware remotely. This technology improves the efficiency and resilience of home energy systems while benefiting users, the grid, and the environment.

ConnectDER is a solar technology company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, founded in 2011. It specializes in designing and manufacturing meter collars that facilitate the connection of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging to residential homes and the grid. By transforming the electricity meter socket into an interconnection point, ConnectDER enhances the integration and management of DERs. The company also offers ConnectDER Cloud, a system that allows fleet operators to access metering data, manage operational parameters, and control firmware remotely. This technology improves the efficiency and resilience of home energy systems while benefiting users, the grid, and the environment.

Beacon Power, LLC specializes in the design, development, and commercialization of grid-scale flywheel energy storage systems for electric power grids in the United States and internationally. The company’s innovative technology converts and stores electrical energy as rotating kinetic energy, providing essential services for grid stability, efficiency, and reliability. Beacon Power's products are utilized for frequency regulation, power grid balancing, and the integration of renewable energy sources, among other ancillary services. The company operates facilities located in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts; Stephentown, New York; and Hazle Township, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1997 and based in Tyngsboro, Beacon Power is committed to supporting stable and reliable electricity grid operations through its advanced storage solutions.