The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, in partnership with the National Laboratory of the Rockies, has launched a new national center to help strengthen the U.S. cement and concrete supply chain at a time of rising demand, increasing imports and mounting pressure on domestic infrastructure. The Center of Excellence for Advancement and Acceleration of Cement and Concrete Engineering Technologies, known as the ACCENT Center, will accelerate the development of advanced materials and manufacturing processes needed to support U.S. infrastructure, housing and industrial competitiveness.

Designed as a first-of-its-kind hub, ACCENT combines multiscale testing, AI-driven data collection and modeling, and pilot production to move cement and concrete innovations from discovery to early commercialization — a combination of capabilities not currently available in one place in the United States.

ACCENT will build the nation’s first comprehensive, publicly accessible database for concrete, housing millions of standardized, performance-based materials data and facts. By combining independent test results, long-term durability data and digital models, the database will help close critical gaps between laboratory research and field performance, enabling faster and more reliable qualification of new materials.

“The ACCENT Center represents a pivotal shift in how we address the challenges of maintaining and advancing our nation’s infrastructure,” said ORNL’s Denise Antunes da Silva, the center’s executive director. “By merging dedicated research with practical industry expertise, we’re shortening the innovation timeline and building a foundation for more resilient, cost-effective cement and concrete technologies.”

Securing America’s cement supply: key challenges and opportunities

Concrete is essential to the nation’s infrastructure, supporting roughly 80 percent of the U.S. construction industry. Although cement and concrete underpin a $25 trillion economy, the sector faces systemic bottlenecks. The United States imports approximately 25 percent of its cement — $2.6 billion annually — exposing infrastructure projects to supply and cost volatility.

These vulnerabilities are compounded by aging infrastructure and a nationwide housing shortage estimated to exceed 4 million units. At the same time, domestic cement production capacity is limited by aging manufacturing infrastructure, lengthy permitting processes and high capital costs to expand production, even as U.S. demand is projected to grow nearly 30 percent by 2032. This imbalance highlights the need for a more resilient, modernized supply chain.

“These challenges aren’t just about rising demand; they affect the nation’s infrastructure and economic stability,” said Robert Wagner, associate laboratory director for ORNL’s Energy Science and Technology Directorate. “ACCENT gives us a way to move research into the field faster. With standardized testing, better data and expanded training, the center will help reduce supply chain risks, manage costs and strengthen infrastructure safety.”

Accelerating breakthroughs in concrete innovation

To help address these challenges, the center will use its collaborative model to speed the development and deployment of advanced binders and construction materials, with the goal of cutting the typical 15- to 20-year innovation cycle by as much as half.

ACCENT will advance multiscale materials characterization by integrating unique imaging capabilities to reveal critical structure–property relationships and enable in situ analyses under a range of exposure conditions.

The center will also develop performance-based tests and accelerated durability frameworks to shorten evaluation times.

In parallel, ACCENT will monitor and predict material performance in real time through integrated sensors, predictive modeling and an AI-driven data platform designed to shorten testing cycles and improve prediction accuracy. Pilot-scale stations will speed up the transition of new materials from the lab to the field, while training of professionals will help transition new practices into widespread industry use.

“The ACCENT Center will unify R&D, testing and workforce development to close critical gaps in design, validation and skills,” Silva said. “This integrated approach will enable the rapid deployment of reliable, U.S.-made cement and concrete materials — and represents a major step toward strengthening the global competitiveness of American industry.”

Transforming cement innovation with an industry-leading framework

The center will work directly with industry through an open, secure framework that supports innovation, validation, prediction and scaling of novel binders for concrete materials. By providing a single environment for testing, data generation and collection, and performance verification, the framework reduces uncertainty and lowers barriers to adoption for new technologies. This approach builds on the demonstrated success of ORNL’s user facility models.

“The center will provide unprecedented industry access to unique testing capabilities and national laboratory expertise, fostering vital collaborations that span the entire cement and concrete value chain,” Silva said.

The ACCENT Center is a public-private partnership that brings together multiple national laboratories, universities, professional/trade associations and industry partners to accelerate the development of advanced materials and manufacturing processes. The center is funded by DOE’s Industrial Technologies Office. Learn more about the ACCENT Center.

UT-Battelle manages ORNL for the DOE’s Office of Science, the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. The Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. — Tina M. Johnson

The competition challenges entrants in four core areas: Connection Creation, Turbine Design, Turbine Testing, and Project Development. Throughout the final phase, Rice’s delegation of 26 students stood as the largest and one of the most dynamic contingents, showcasing an impressive spectrum of technical and outreach skills. In the Connection Creation segment, their strategy went beyond traditional boundaries, incorporating educational engagement, industry collaboration, and social media advocacy—all aimed at dismantling misconceptions and advancing wind energy literacy in Houston’s diverse communities and beyond.

One of the team’s most notable accomplishments was clinching first place in the Connection Creation category. Their multifaceted approach included hosting expert panel discussions with peers from Texas Tech University, welcoming local high school students for interactive learning experiences, and launching an official website alongside active LinkedIn outreach. These efforts not only amplified the team’s visibility but also set a new benchmark for community-driven renewable energy initiatives within collegiate circles.

The technical prowess of Rice Wind Energy was no less impressive. The team’s autonomous turbine prototype, equipped with a custom-built generator, achieved over 20 watts of power output during rigorous wind tunnel testing. This performance benchmark is particularly significant considering that many competing teams relied on commercially available generators. Their success in turbine testing extended to safety protocols as well: the turbine flawlessly executed an emergency deceleration sequence, reducing its blade speed to below 10% within 10 seconds, followed by a smooth restart—a testament to the ingenuity of their custom control and blade pitching systems.

Innovating further, the team’s floating foundation design garnered high marks for stability and operational integrity. Their structure sustained buoyancy and limited tilt without human intervention during installation, adeptly maintaining position within the testing tank’s boundaries. This achievement illustrates a sophisticated integration of fluid dynamics, materials science, and structural engineering—critical factors in the emerging offshore wind energy sector where floating platforms unlock access to deep-water resource zones previously inaccessible to fixed-basis turbines.

Beyond engineering, the Project Development group at Rice played a crucial role through comprehensive planning and environmental assessment. They meticulously designed a theoretical 450-megawatt floating wind farm to be sited approximately 38 kilometers off the Oregon coast. Employing multi-criteria decision analysis, they optimized site selection considering bathymetry, wind availability, ecological impacts, and indigenous community interests. Their technical modeling leveraged industry-standard software suites, ensuring that simulations aligned with realistic operational parameters and environmental constraints.

Financial acumen was deeply integrated into the project planning phase as well. The team developed an intricate 30-year financial forecast, accounting for capital expenditures, operational costs, tax incentives, market fluctuations, and necessary state and federal permits—totaling 14 distinct regulatory approvals. This holistic financial model reflects an advanced understanding of project viability, supply chain logistics, and revenue generation, embodying the intersection of engineering design and economic sustainability crucial for future large-scale wind installations.

Rice’s consecutive top-five placements across technical categories—third in Project Development, fourth in Turbine Testing, and fifth in Turbine Design—highlight a well-rounded expertise seldom seen in collegiate competitions. According to senior chief engineer Izzie Driewer, the ability to handcraft a generator that could rival commercial counterparts on performance embodies the level of technical sophistication achieved by the team. Such achievement elevates the potential for academic wind projects to transition from conceptual design into market-ready technologies.

The collegiate competition also fostered profound personal and professional growth among team members. Connection Creation lead Ava Garrelts emphasized the transformation in confidence and skill-building that came from hands-on design challenges and real-world stakeholder engagement. For many participants, the team represents more than a competitive endeavor; it is a thriving community providing support, leadership, and shared purpose in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

This collective spirit was echoed by marketing and development lead Raj Anthony, who reflected on the team’s journey from building their initial rotor prototype to evolving into one of the largest student groups on campus with a national reputation. The remarkable blend of passion, innovation, and inclusivity positions Rice Wind Energy not just as a student team but as a burgeoning incubator for future leaders in renewable energy.

Crucial to this dynamic growth was the robust backing from Rice’s faculty and industry partners. Faculty sponsors David Trevas, Gary Woods, and Jose Moreto lent vital academic guidance, while industry collaborators including Knape Associates, Hartzell Air Movement, NextEra Analytics, RWE Clean Energy, H&H Business Development, and GE Vernova provided essential resources and mentorship. On-campus infrastructure like the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen and support from Rice’s engineering alumni and leadership centers created an enabling ecosystem critical for the team’s multifaceted success.

Participation in the CWC offers students unparalleled experience in tackling real-world energy transition challenges, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. Vice president Jason Yang advocates strongly for similar initiatives, highlighting the transformative impact of such competitions in equipping the next generation with industry-applicable skills that drive sustainable innovation across mechanical engineering, energy technology, and environmental stewardship.

Rice Wind Energy’s story is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration, ingenuity, and commitment to climate change mitigation through advanced engineering solutions. As wind energy continues to gain momentum worldwide, initiatives like this not only advance technical frontiers but also inspire public engagement and policy alignment toward a clean energy future.

Subject of Research: Wind Energy Technology and Sustainable Renewable Energy Development

Article Title: Rice Wind Energy Team Elevates Innovation with Second Place at 2025 U.S. Collegiate Wind Competition

News Publication Date: 2024

Web References:
https://ricewindenergy.com/
https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/rice-wind-energy-advances-final-phase-collegiate-wind-competition

Image Credits: Rice University

Keywords

Energy, Mechanical Engineering, Climate Change Mitigation, Climate Change