Request for Information: Climatetech Test and Demonstration Sites

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (“MassCEC”) is reviewing its activities that promote the growth of the climatetech industry and economic development across the state. MassCEC has identified that climatetech startup awareness of testing and demonstration facilities in Massachusetts is limited and that the navigation of these sites remains a challenge. MassCEC aims to map and better connect climatetech companies to existing sites while identifying remaining infrastructure gaps that could be addressed. 

Through this Request for Information (“RFI”), MassCEC seeks input from the following respondents (“Respondents”): 

1. Prior, current, and future users of climatetech test and demonstration sites (e.g., climatetech companies and startups). 

2. Operators of climatetech test and demonstration sites (e.g., research institutes and universities, private labs and companies with large in-house research and development infrastructure). 

3. Ecosystem builders that have helped to match users and operators of climatetech test and demonstration sites (e.g., accelerators, incubators, climatetech venture capital funds, community builders). 

As a result of this RFI, MassCEC is hoping to receive insights into the current state of climatetech test and demonstration sites in Massachusetts, as well as the challenges and opportunities for improving access and utilization. MassCEC will use the information contained in the responses to map and better connect climatetech companies to existing sites while identifying remaining infrastructure gaps. MassCEC, at its sole discretion, may request follow-up meetings with Respondents to discuss their responses in further detail.  

Further potential outcomes of the RFI

Informed by responses to this RFI, MassCEC, at its sole discretion, may decide to launch a request for proposals for maintenance of a centralized statewide database of climatetech test and demonstration sites, the creation or maintenance of an asset map, or services that provide matchmaking and outreach, or other support for climatetech test and demonstration site expansion.