APRIL 3, 2024 — UTSA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), the City of San Antonio, and CPS Energy to develop and promote energy technologies that could potentially decarbonize the aviation sector. The ambitious project will pursue a range of research and development objectives, including sustainable aviation technologies, battery technologies and battery storage solutions, enhanced electric vehicle charging technologies and power-related technologies. The MOU will position San Antonio as an innovation center for these new energy solutions, accelerating their development and deployment across the country.

Today’s agreement marks the first time an international airport will work with ARPA-E, the DOE’s innovation arm, to decarbonize the aviation sector. SAAS is home to the San Antonio International Airport and Stinson Municipal Airport.

UTSA was invited to join the partnership due to its commitment to growing the state’s leading industries, including aerospace and the new energy economy, and its ability to serve as the region’s top producer of workforce talent in these fields. As the partners begin their work, UTSA faculty, staff and students will further advance projects in energy research and innovation, including the integration of renewables, energy-storage solutions and the fortification of the cybersecurity framework as the power grid is modernized.