(Ames, IA) -- An 85-thousand-square-foot energy lab will be built near Iowa State University. Alliant Energy says the focus of the lab will be on digital and precision agriculture technology and research. Crews plan to break ground this summer in the ISU Research Park, south of Highway 30 in Ames. The building is expected to open in the fall of 2024.
“This project is the latest in our long-standing partnership with Alliant Energy,” said Rick Sanders, president, Iowa State University Research Park. “Our mutual goal, to invest and innovate in the agriculture industry, will take a significant step forward in this collaborative new building. It will afford us the opportunity to create an epicenter of agricultural innovation here in the Midwest.”
“Alliant Energy is proud to partner with Iowa State University and Iowa State University Research Park to advance innovative research through this forward-thinking and strategic project,” said John Larsen, Chairman & CEO, Alliant Energy. “Creating space for the emergence of cutting-edge technology and collaboration opportunities in agriculture innovation will help build stronger communities across Iowa, the Midwest and beyond.”
The facility will contain space for companies engaged in collaborative work with the Digital Agriculture Innovation team. It will also include a robust atrium and shared conferencing spaces to encourage collaboration between stakeholders.
The research team, led by Iowa State professor Dr. Matt Darr, has more than 70 patents and distinct tech transfer outcomes as well as 32 products sold globally. Backers say the new Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab will allow the team extended space to scale and collaborate more deeply with companies from across the state on agriculture technology projects.