U of I launches region鈥檚 first energy institute, taps industry insider to lead
January 22, 2025
MOSCOW, Idaho 鈥� 果冻传媒麻豆社 is launching the state and region鈥檚 first energy institute to address energy-related challenges in Idaho and beyond. A nexus for research, education and practical problem solving, the institute will increase energy literacy and grow a workforce prepared to transform the world鈥檚 energy future.聽
鈥淯聽of聽I is driving innovation for real-world, safe, scalable solutions to reliably meet energy demands to support our economic vitality and the quality of life for Idahoans and those beyond our borders,鈥� U聽of聽I President Scott Green said.
Idaho energy executive and U聽of聽I alumnus John Kumm is leading the creation and launch of the Energy Institute. Kumm, who began his role as executive director of the center in January, spent the previous 17 years working with a leading national power and energy consulting firm, specializing in power generation, transmission and distribution design, power system studies and environmental sciences.
鈥淲ith more than 30 years of experience in power engineering, John will advance U聽of聽I鈥檚 leadership in energy training and innovation and prepare our graduates for the increasingly complex energy systems powering our world,鈥� Green said.
Part of Kumm鈥檚 role will involve expanding industry partnerships. U聽of聽I has partnered with global energy and power protection leaders like Avista, Idaho Power, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and Idaho National Laboratory for decades.
鈥淯聽of聽I has a long tradition of excellence in education and research on power system engineering topics,鈥� Kumm said. 鈥淭he chance to build on that foundation, to collaborate on a broader set of challenges and to engage with the next generation of Idaho鈥檚 leaders in agriculture, architecture, business, engineering, law and natural resources is an exciting opportunity. I鈥檓 elated to have this opportunity and can鈥檛 wait to get started.鈥�
Kumm will partner with faculty members and guide the creation of certificate, minor and full degree programs, integrating courses in cybersecurity, sustainability and global energy systems within the context of business, engineering, law, natural resources and agriculture. New programs will be housed under the U聽of聽I College of Engineering with plans to include laboratory capabilities, including a microgrid test bed to define, test and find solutions in electric power production, distribution, control and resilience.
鈥淥ur College of Engineering faculty members are already identifying ways to integrate new technologies to meet energy demands while balancing industrial, residential, agricultural and hydropower needs,鈥� said Suzie Long, dean of the U聽of聽I College of Engineering. 鈥淲e are thrilled to partner with John and the team we will create to identify resilient strategies that benefit all Idaho communities, landscapes and watersheds.鈥�
Kumm has worked with global power systems leader Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and founded the engineering consulting firm System Protection Services focused on power protection. He is a member of IEEE Power Engineering and Industry Applications Societies and a registered professional engineer in several states and Canadian provinces.
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Media Contact
John Kumm
Executive Director
U聽of聽I Energy Institute
208-885-4224
jkumm@uidaho.edu
Alexiss Turner
Marketing and Communications Manager
U聽of聽I College of Engineering
208-885-7511
alexisst@uidaho.edu
About the 果冻传媒麻豆社
The 果冻传媒麻豆社, home of the Vandals, is Idaho鈥檚 land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d鈥橝lene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 12,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.