Clean Energy Excellence

The Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy is a statewide and regional resource that represents the interests of the energy industry and our labor partners, within the Washington State Community and Technical College system.

About Us

We exist to narrow the gap between employers’ demands for a highly skilled workforce and the colleges’ ability to supply work-ready graduates. We convene industry and labor to help drive workforce development initiatives — and coordinate community college resources after industry and labor set the direction.

Electricity workers and pylon silhouette

The energy industry — globally, nationally, and in Washington state — is in the midst of tremendous change. Significant growth in the renewable/clean energy sector has occurred in recent years and forecasts show that this trend will continue. Washington state is on the leading edge of new developments and emerging technologies, and the state is well positioned to accelerate the shift toward a clean energy economy to support state environmental and economic goals. The future growth in clean energy depends on a well-qualified workforce to design, build, operate, and maintain renewable energy plants and equipment.

Who We Serve

Students

Discover detailed information about education and career pathways in energy.

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Educators

Explore educational resources and curriculum for home or the classroom.

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Industry

Resources such as reports, publications, and funding opportunities for all our partners.

News

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Kairos Power Breaks Ground on New Demonstration Reactor

Kairos Power photo Earlier this month, Kairos Power broke ground on the company's second demonstration plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This will be the company's first commercial-scale reactor and the first-ever power-producing Gen IV reactor to receive a construction...

Clean Energy Clips, Spring 2026

Check out our Spring 2026 edition of Clean Energy Clips!This edition features the Directors Update, an event for the CoE Advisory Board and Educators: Energizing Pathways Between Industry & Education Partners, and highlights from the blog and website. There is...

A Second Life for Plastics

“There are tremendous societal benefits to plastic, but thinking about what happens to those plastics once they get to the end of their life is a huge problem,” says Professor Matthew Golder. (Photo: Juan Rodriguez) April 1, 2026 | By Nancy Joseph, UW...

Events

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NWPPA Engineering & Operations Conference and Trade Show, April 14-16, 2026, Portland OR.

2026 Engineering & Operations Conference and Trade Show

Join more than 1,000 public power professionals from across the West for the region’s largest electric utility event.

Register here

April 13-16
Oregon Convention Center
Portland, OR

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2026 Washington Women in Trades Fair

Participants include training programs, apprenticeships, unions, city & county agencies, non-profits, and commercial construction companies. Learn about job options from tradeswomen, all in one room, all at the same time. Exhibits are both indoors and outdoors.

Come ready to try a trade! Everyone is welcome at this FREE event!

Register here

May 1, 2026
Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center
Seattle, WA

Offshore Technology Conference

Steering Offshore Energy Innovation into the Future emphasizes the pivotal role oil and gas, along with other emerging offshore energy sources, will play in shaping a sustainable and energy-secure future. As the global demand for cleaner, more efficient energy solutions grows, offshore energy solutions are at the forefront of this evolution.

Register here

May 4-7, 2026
NRG Park
Houston, TX