Energy Partnerships Innovation Center (dba EPIcenter)

EPIcenter propels energy innovation and thought for our global future with a think tank, incubator and accelerator, strategic partnerships, advisory engagements and critical conversations around energy. Its vision is to be the hub for energy innovation and thought leadership driving profound global impact. “EPI” stands for Energy, Partnerships and Innovation.

Strategic Partnerships – From international energy networks to the local San Antonio startup ecosystem, EPIcenter engages with more than 80 strategic partners to maximize resources, access subject matter experts and speakers, and engage in collaborations on projects otherwise not possible. Conversely, partners look to EPIcenter to convene ecosystems, incubate startup companies, translate technical knowledge for broader audiences and extend their impact and visibility.

Think Tank – The EPIcenter Energy Think Tank (EETT) exposes wider audiences to leading experts in energy innovation, evolution and implementation.
- Thought Leadership Events like annual Summits and Global Lecture Series highlight global energy thought leaders and trends and take a deep dive into energy issues.
- Research & Publications produce research and white papers on various energy innovation topics.

Energy Incubator and Accelerator – The EPIcenter Energy Incubator and Accelerator (EEIA) provides curriculum, coaching, mentorship, connections (access to funding and fabrication laboratories) and services to startups in all phases of development to incite the energy evolution.
- These startups’ innovations may be products, services, new business models, technology-based solutions or other types of innovation. The EEIA is agnostic as to how each innovation manifests as long as it makes the production and consumption of energy smarter, cleaner, more resilient and more efficient.
- The EEIA accepts applications on an ongoing basis. Approved applicants are offered enrollment in an EEIA program (Pre-Incubation, Incubation, Acceleration, Associate Member.) Certified coaches guide day-to-day activity and each startup benefits from curated teams of mentors at each step in its commercialization journey.

Advisory Services – EPIcenter Advisory Services syncs clients’ innovation goals and aspirations with everyday realities.
- Innovation Management structures, codifies and drives the innovation pipeline process, gaining efficiencies and efficacy in the execution of innovation.
- Regional Collaborations harness the collective might of utilities in geographic proximity to better serve customers and connect innovation and technology within the sector; increase operational effectiveness; promote alignment of objectives with civic, city, and business leaders through a focus on new, emerging and expanding energy solutions; and to boost economic development, workforce enhancement and educational investments.
- Client-Centric Engagements tap EPIcenter’s core capabilities and resources to provide custom-fit offerings related to clients’ specific needs.

CPS Energy, Itron, Landis+Gyr and OCI Solar Power founded EPIcenter to propel energy innovation and thought for our global future with a think tank, incubator and accelerator, strategic partnerships, advisory engagements and critical conversations around energy. EPIcenter focuses on ways to speed innovation to make the production and consumption of energy smarter, cleaner, more resilient and more efficient.

The founders hired a CEO with four decades’ experience leading organizations in the sectors of energy, government, health care, and the arts with emphases in nonprofits, government relations and public and community relations. Her senior leadership team is uniquely and dynamically skilled in economic development, fundraising, marketing, innovation, incubation, programming and networking.

EPIcenter leverages the local, national, and international relationships of its Board, staff, Global Advisors, and Strategic Partners to build capacity for entrepreneurship, innovation and market expansion in the energy sector.

EPIcenter Energy Incubator and Accelerator — providing resources to emerging businesses focused on the advancement of energy innovation and technology
• Four programs are offered: Pre-Incubation, Incubation, Acceleration, and Associate Membership, with a robust mentoring platform serving all four programs
• Curricula and Custom services
• Certified Coaches on staff
• Access to financing
• Virtual capacity for non-local start-ups

Annual Summits — examining issues and trends related to energy for an engaged and astute business audience and savvy citizens
• September 2020: Power Trip LIVE
• June 2019: Plug Me In: Smart.Connected.Electrified.
• May 2018: Disaster Disabled | Resilience Reinvented
• June 2017: IoT: A Connected World

Global Lecture Series — bringing global energy thought leaders to San Antonio
• GLS X (July 15, 2021): Lynn Abramson of Clean Energy Business Network, Dirk and Brett Elmendorf of Jobward, Cris Eugster of ever.green, NAES and Les Shepherd.
• GLS IX (March 16, 2021): Steve Hennigan, CEO, Credit Human; Steve Straus, High Performance Building Leader, Glumac; David Dalton, Vice President and Director of Central Texas, Kirksey Architecture.
• GLS VIII (October 21, 2020 ): Hunter Hunt, Chairman and CEO, Hunt Energy
• GLS VII (July 15, 2020): Global Advisors
• GLS VI (November 14, 2019): Jim Ajello, Former CFO Hawaii Electric Utilities and Cris Eugster, COO, CPS Energy
• GLS V (September 11, 2019): Former Texas Secretary of State Rolando Pablos
• GLS IV (May 14, 2019): San Antonio premiere of documentary “Thirst for Power” based on a book of the same title by Dr. Michael Webber
• GLS III (February 25, 2019): Dr. Marie-Luise Wolff, CEO, Entega (Darmstadt, Germany) and Paula Gold-Williams, CEO, CPS Energy
• GLS II (December 3, 2018): Tanuj Deora, Chief Strategic Officer, Smart Electric Power Alliance and Cris Eugster, COO, CPS Energy
• GLS I (June 28, 2018): Dr. Lynn Abramson, President, Clean Energy Business Network

Research/Publications -
• Volume I Issue I: Solar+Storage
• Charging Forward: How Fleet Owners, Utilities and the Planet Can Benefit from Deliberate and Optimized EV Charging

Adding Fabrication Laboratory resources for EEIA clients (Winter 2022)