University of Wisconsin Selects Mortenson for Wisconsin Energy Institute

Madison, WI - Mortenson Construction was recently selected as the Construction Manager for the new Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI) on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus.  This $75.7 million, two phased project, being designed by Potter Lawson / HOK, plans to break ground in mid-2010. The nearly 200,000 sf facility will focus on research dedicated to meet the pressing national need of creating renewable energy in a sustainable and economically viable manner.

WEI will be a National Center of Excellence and will serve as a focal point for UW-Madison research, training and outreach activities focused on providing economically viable and environmentally sustainable alternative energy sources. Great Lakes Bioenergy Science Center (GLBRC) and other related renewable energy teaching and research functions will be housed in the new WEI facility. GLBRC is developing novel technologies to convert plant biomass into ethanol and other motor fuels. These technologies will encompass sustainable energy crop production and new generation processing methods to yield clean renewable fuels.

The UW Energy Institute’s mission is to provide an objective forum for exchange of ideas on energy issues, and to focus, integrate and transfer knowledge to better understand challenges and identify needs in energy resources, technology and sustainability. The Institute is a metacenter that seeks to focus these many energy-related education, research and service activities.