U of I launches region’s first energy institute, taps industry insider to lead

MOSCOW, Idaho — University of Idaho is launching the state and region’s 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’s energy future. 

“U of 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,” U of I President Scott Green said.

Idaho energy executive and U of 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.

“With more than 30 years of experience in power engineering, John will advance U of I’s leadership in energy training and innovation and prepare our graduates for the increasingly complex energy systems powering our world,” Green said.

Part of Kumm’s role will involve expanding industry partnerships. U of I has partnered with global energy and power protection leaders like Avista, Idaho Power, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and Idaho National Laboratory for decades.

“U of I has a long tradition of excellence in education and research on power system engineering topics,” Kumm said. “The chance to build on that foundation, to collaborate on a broader set of challenges and to engage with the next generation of Idaho’s leaders in agriculture, architecture, business, engineering, law and natural resources is an exciting opportunity. I’m elated to have this opportunity and can’t wait to get started.”

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 of 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.

“Our 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,” said Suzie Long, dean of the U of I College of Engineering. “We are thrilled to partner with John and the team we will create to identify resilient strategies that benefit all Idaho communities, landscapes and watersheds.”

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 of I Energy Institute
208-885-4224
jkumm@uidaho.edu

Alexiss Turner
Marketing and Communications Manager
U of I College of Engineering
208-885-7511
alexisst@uidaho.edu