At elab, we believe cooperating with others is better than competing, especially when new R&D market space is being created. This is especially true in the U.S, where large, well-capitalized “lead” government labs have direct, well-connected conduits to federal sponsors and the current federal energy R&D business model favors them over individual researchers with “outside-the-box” ideas residing at places like elab and in the private sector. That’s why we are working to develop partnerships with national laboratories, universities, utilities, energy companies, private sector labs, and energy users to bring new research ideas forward together.
We also believe that research that goes beyond today’s known energy needs requires alternative thinking and interdisciplinary teaming with likeminded organizations having complimentary skills and resources. Often, our partners have skills completely irrelevant to existing energy systems but absolutely crucial to new paradigms and associated elab research initiatives.
