Timeline:
A History of the Powerhouse
Over its 30 year history, the Energy Institute has delievered real-world energy and carbon solutions.
1865 – Where It Began
Named after William O. Collins, the 9th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry set up camp on these grounds to protect stage and emigrant traffic on the Overland trail.
1935 – Construction Begins
Fort Collins Municipal Powerplant was constructed to help endure the financial strain of the great depression by supplying cheap power to Fort Collins residents.
1937 – Obelisk Fountain Installed
The beautiful fountain at the west entrance was installed in 1937 and remains there to this day. This fountain was almost placed in Denver, and in City Park in Fort Collins. It has endured renovations to its own structure over the years, as well as the construction of the Powerhouse expansion.
1973 – Plant Decommissioned
Amid growth in Fort Collins, the power plant could no longer maintain the city’s power needs and was decomissioned.
1987 – Historical Landmarks
In 1987, the power plant and fountain were declared landmarks in the City of Fort Collins, being the only historic fountain within Fort Collins. The building itself was the last remaining example of the “Art-Deco”.
1990s – Enter Bryan Willson
In the early 1990s Bryan Willson, a then assistant professor of mechanical engineering, was looking for space to conduct research. With the decommissioned and disrepaired power plant, Bryan saw a space to build the Engines and Energy Conversions Lab (EECL).
1990s – 2000s Innovation and Research Succeed
In the first two decades of the EECL, research and innovation between faculty, staff, and students led to growth and national recognition for the EECL. Beginning with a large engine used to pump gas throughout the nation, their research had grown to include engines both large and small scale.
2006 Clean Energy “Super Cluster” Formed
CSU was underinvesting in technology transfer activities, so they put on a challenge to find a group that had proven expertise and could rise to the next level in their field. They had 30 or so applications. The winners received funds that came out of the technology transfers budget. The “Super Clusters” were at that time separate from the building and were aimed to be inclusive of the rest of campus.
2014 – Expansion
The faculty, staff, and students outgrew the original power plant, and in 2014 a 65,000 square foot expansion was opened. With new space for research, collaboration, and administration, this officially became the headquarters for the newly named Colorado State University Powerhouse Energy Campus and the Energy Institute, formerly known as the “Super Cluster.”
2015 – Recognition
In 2015, the Smithsonian designated Fort Collins one of 6 Places of Invention in the U.S., specifically being the only designation in energy invention.
2022 – Celebration
In 2022, we celebrated the 30 year anniversary of the Engines and Energy Conversion Labs, which still operates on large scale engines to date. We celebrated both the past, present, and especially the future.
2022 – 2025 – Continuing Change
The Powerhouse Campus and Energy Institute will continue to develop energy and climate solutions at-scale that achieve global impact. To do this, Powerhouse is going big. With a new expansion adding 150,000 square feet in Powerhouse II we are doubling down on our mission statement and paving the way for researchers to change the future with ambitious goals of large hydrogen powered engines and total decarbonization.
