The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 24th Industry Growth Forum recently attracted more than 500 investors, entrepreneurs, scientists and policymakers to Denver, where a Hampton company received an award.

An Outstanding Venture award went to ICR Turbine Engine Corp. for its project to develop an innovative gas turbine engine.

The three-day forum highlighted clean energy industry technology and business developments. As part of the forum, NREL also hosted the Partnership Accelerator, a unique program designed to cultivate collaborative opportunities within the research and industry communities working on energy issues in commercial and residential buildings.

"The necessity to approach our energy issues differently in the future requires a high level of innovation. This forum brings together the entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers needed to bring about transformational change that will be critical to nurturing that innovation," said Bill Farris, NREL vice president for commercialization and technology transfer.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.