Williams forms weather research alliance with University of Oklahoma
By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, Aug. 27 -- Officials of the Williams energy conglomerate in Tulsa, Okla., announced a $10.6 million alliance Monday to expand the University of Oklahoma's already top-tier meteorology programs in return for exclusive weather analysis and forecasts that give the firm "a globally competitive advantage" in energy marketing and trading.
That includes advanced weather and climate predictions tailored by OU weather scientists specifically for Williams' "weather-sensitive businesses," said corporate and university officials.
"This alliance provides Williams access to weather research and technology that is dramatically superior (to) traditional government weather services and customized to Williams' unique needs. With weather being the number one driver of volatility in gas and power markets, we expect to see a significant return on our investment," said Keith E. Bailey, Williams chairman, president and CEO.
The deal was described as the largest US arrangement of its kind between a corporation and a university meteorology program.
David L. Boren, former Oklahoma senator and governor who is now president of Oklahoma University, predicted the "history-making agreement" would become "a national model for joining together American international leadership in higher education with private sector creativity and vitality."
Under the agreement, Williams will provide a grant of $8.1 million over 5 years to fund research in advanced weather analysis and prediction at the university's Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms (CAPS). That includes funding for one of the biggest supercomputers in the country, officials said
The company will provide another $1.6 million during the same period to fund regional climate research at OU's Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies. That will give OU the most advanced climate system model in the world, officials said.
Other gifts from the company will finance an advanced student computer laboratory, create the Williams Endowed Chair at the university, and fund three graduate fellowships in the in OU's School of Meteorology, officials said.