Challenges

Driven by broad economic and demographic trends, cities around the world are witnessing the emergence of innovation districts. Denver too has its innovation district; the Sunnyside Innovation District. Learn more from the Global Institute on Innovation Districts.

Additionally, the Sunnyside Innovation Laboratoriesinvites participation in the establishment of theEnergy Oasis^℠within theSunnyside Innovation District,in Denver, Colorado.

The goals of theEnergy Oasis℠are to use the Innovation District :

1. Reduce the use of fossil fuels
2. Build/Generate sustainable energy systems
3. Advance Climate Technologies by teaming with other companies demonstrating how to bridge the Innovation Gap
4. Continue the work of ET Squared^®Rent laboratory time to companies to conduct their experiments utilizing the Nested Nozzle Mixer and Pressurized Digester Vessel
5. Reduce utility costs in the Sunnyside neighborhood
6. Build Urban Farms providing fresh produce – work with food banks
7. Enhance the local economy
8. Career training programs/day care
9. Nucleus

Bridging the Gap Article

ET Squared^® Invites You to Join the Sunnyside Business Alliance

In January of 2024, the City Council of Denver approved the Near Northwest Area Plan to transition the Sunnyside industrial area into an Innovation District. By joining the Sunnyside Business Alliance, members will have an opportunity to envision and voice their ideas along with their concerns as the transformation progresses.

For more information on how to join the Sunnyside Business Alliance, contact: www.sunnysidebusinessalliance.org

Pete Tovani – ET Squared^®
(303) 725-4917
pete_t@etsquared.com

In 2022 ET Squared® built the Sunnyside Innovation Laboratories. Located east of W. 47^th Ave and N. Jason St. We are leading the charge to envision what an Innovation District can be. The foundation of an Innovation District is diversity, equity, and inclusion, America’s social contract. The labs mission is “Consilience: The Unity of Knowledge.” By developing technologies to improve the planet’s health, the Sunnyside Innovation Laboratories will demonstrate how climate technologies are integrated into the Energy Oasis℠.

At the center of the Energy Oasis℠ is the patented and tested Pressurized Digester Vessel and Nested Nozzle Mixer prototype which processes organic waste into biofuels. Experiments with the Nested Nozzle Mixer water system will provide the water purity data needed for human consumption.

ET Squared^® envisions its role as:

1. Working with the City and County of Denver, FoxPark, and the railroads, to design and construct the W. 47^th Ave Solar Bridge which will connect the Sunnyside and Globeville neighborhoods.
2. Providing access to affordable housing, economic, educational, and vocational opportunities for all the people who reside and work in the Sunnyside neighborhood.
3. Working with scientists from the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) in Golden and climate technology companies demonstrating how to bridge the gap from innovation to impact by inventing multiple sustainable products.
4. Building urban farms to provide fresh produce as we team with local food banks.
5. Renting laboratory space for companies to utilize the unique capabilities of the Nested Nozzle Mixer and Pressurized Digester Vessel prototype. Scientists can conduct experiments to process Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) which creates a feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Continue ET Squared® experiments.

In many estimates, by the year 2050, humans will require four times today’s existing infrastructure. By joining the Sunnyside Business Alliance, members will have an opportunity to make a difference, by working together, creating and building a better future for opportunities and possibilities.

For more information on the Near-Northwest-Area Plan https://denvergov.org/files/assets/public/v/1/community-planning-and-development/documents/planning/projects/near-northwest-area-plan/near_northwest_area_plan_city_council_hearing_draft.pdf

For more information on innovation districts; link to the Global Institute of Innovation Districts website to review their
decade of articles and work. www.giid.org

CNBC’s episode: “Cities of Success, Denver and Boulder,” discusses possible opportunities for the Sunnyside Innovation District. https://www.nbc.com/cities-of-success/video/denver-boulder/9000377317

COLORADO CLEAN AIR REGULATORY COMMISION RULE 28

The Colorado Clean Air Regulatory Commission has adopted Rule 28 that imposes mandatory reductions in building emissions for all buildings of 50,000 sq.ft. or greater in size.

The Sunnyside neighborhoods needs to come together as a community and build a brand as it competes for jobs, businesses and government funding with other communities across Denver, the State of Colorado and the United States.

Job training of the highest quality is needed to assure workers can maintain employment and advance their careers while providing businesses with the highest level of productivity.

The cost of energy places a burden on everyone within the Sunnyside neighborhood, particularly individuals and families of lower income.

The cost of energy places a constraint on redevelopment of the Sunnyside neighborhood which may make the difference between whether any particular project is economically feasible.

The source of our energy, a choice between fossil fuel and alternative energy, is a key issue in the stewardship of our planet.

The redevelopment of the Sunnyside neighborhood may create a greater use of energy which may not be met by existing suppliers.

Key to a live/work/play community is a variety of entertainment and recreational venues that are local, safe and match the culture of the community.

The Aztlan Recreation Center may be expanded to provide more and a greater variety of services.

Live / Work / Play / Transport

Although the Sunnyside neighborhood will benefit from working towards a live/work/play design, it is recognized that it will still be necessary to move people and goods in and out of the neighborhood.

The transportation challenge is one of fitting the transportation to the need, contributing to the local economy, elevating safety and reducing the impact on the environment.

The Sunnyside neighborhood and Globeville neighborhood are divided by a rail yard. The City of Denver and Fox Park has stated the need to build the West 47th Avenue solar bridge east over the rail yard, connecting the two neighborhoods.