Prepared For: Ascend West Virginia Review Board, WVU Brad & Alys Smith Outdoor
Economic Development Collaborative (OEDC), WVU Statler College of Engineering,
and West Virginia Division of Economic Development
Subject: In-Depth Analysis of Michael Noel’s Strategic Capabilities, Proprietary
Intellectual Property (IP), and Operational Fit for West Virginia’s Economic and
Energy Transformation
Founder Profile: Michael Noel — Founder, Chief Systems Architect, and Industrial
Economist at DeReticular (www.dereticular.com)
- Executive Summary & Contextual Fit
The Ascend West Virginia program was designed to attract world-class talent,
entrepreneurs, and remote innovators to plant deep roots in the Mountain State.
While many program participants bring remote software skills or digital
services, Michael Noel offers an exceptional combination: an industrial
economist, systems architect, and DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure
Networks) pioneer whose core business model is explicitly built around West
Virginia’s geographical, academic, and statutory assets.
MICHAEL NOEL & DERETICULAR SOVEREIGN ENGINE[ PROPRIETARY IP PORTFOLIO ] [ SPECIALIZED TALENT SUITE ]
• RIOS AI-Native DERMS Kernel • Industrial Economics & “Spark Spread”
• Pawnee.us / OpenClaw A2A Protocol • Full-Stack Policy & Hardware Engineering
• TPM 2.0 Cryptographic Oracles • Eco-Hospitality & Autonomous Mobility
• Gen 5 Commercial Hardware Line • Student Workforce Pipeline Design
• CCCE V3 Biochar Composite Chemistry • DePIN Mesh Network Architecture
\ /
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[ WEST VIRGINIA H.B. 2014 & WVU RETI ENGINE ]
• Off-Grid Certified Microgrid Districts (<2,250 Acres)
• Total PSC Exemption (§24-2-21a) & PJM Queue Bypass (§24-2F-8)
• $321M NSF RETI Consortium at West Virginia University
• Project Octagon Node 3 (Morgantown & New River Gorge)
Noel’s company, DeReticular LLC, operates as an AI-native infrastructure venture
studio. In the context of Ascend West Virginia (anchored at the Morgantown Hub
with field-testing access in the New River Gorge), Noel brings both the
intellectual property and the architectural execution talents required to
operationalize West Virginia House Bill 2014 (The Certified Microgrid
Development Program) and partner directly with the $321 million NSF RETI
Consortium at West Virginia University (WVU).
- Michael Noel’s Key Talents & Strategic Capabilities
Michael Noel’s professional profile stands out due to his cross-disciplinary
mastery across industrial economics, hardware/software integration, regulatory
navigation, and workforce development.
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| MICHAEL NOEL’S CORE TALENT MATRIX |
+————————————+————————————————————–+
| Specialized Talent Domain | Strategic Application in West Virginia |
+————————————+————————————————————–+
| 1. Industrial Economics & | Formulating the “Spark Spread” ($1/kWh energy vs. $1/FLOP |
| “Spark Spread” Arbitrage | compute), converting biomass waste into high-margin AI CaaS. |
+————————————+————————————————————–+
| 2. Multi-Layer Systems Architecture| Harmonizing state policy (H.B. 2014), physical generation |
| (Policy + Hardware + Software) | (syngas/DC bus), and software kernels (RIOS DERMS) in 60 days|
+————————————+————————————————————–+
| 3. Autonomous Eco-Hospitality | Pioneering “The Hyper-Connected Wilderness” via Digital |
| & Outdoor Mobility Vision | Adventures Outdoors R Us (A2A shuttles & drone lunch drops). |
+————————————+————————————————————–+
| 4. “The Energy Student” Pipeline | Designing university-integrated work-study pipelines that |
| Workforce Architecture | turn WVU students into real-time microgrid operators. |
+————————————+————————————————————–+
Talent 1: Industrial Economics & “Spark Spread” Arbitrage Engineering
Noel does not view energy as a static utility expense; he views energy as a
convertible commodity that can be dynamically arbitrated into higher-value
digital outputs.
- The “Spark Spread” Engine: Noel mathematically formulates real-time
arbitrage logic that evaluates 1/\text{kWh} of on-site generated electricity
against 1/\text{FLOP} of AI compute value. - Economic Transformation: Rather than exporting low-margin raw commodities
(coal, raw timber) out of West Virginia, Noel’s economic model processes
those resources locally into clean syngas power (0.038/\text{kWh} cost) and
converts it behind-the-meter into high-density AI compute capacity
(2.20/\text{GPU-hour}), capturing a 16.6\times value multiplier inside the
state.
Talent 2: Full-Stack Convergence (Regulatory, Physical, and Digital)
Most technology founders specialize strictly in software or hardware, struggling
to navigate complex utility regulations. Noel’s unique talent lies in full-stack
convergence:
- Regulatory Mastery: Deep understanding of statutory exemptions under W. Va.
Code §5B-2-21, §24-2-21a (PSC exemption), and §24-2F-8 (PJM queue bypass),
allowing him to design projects that achieve legal certification in 60 to 90
days. - Physical Engineering: Expertise in multi-fuel plasma gasification (Agra
Energy), direct 700\text{V DC} busbar power coupling, direct-to-chip liquid
GPU cooling, and biochar composite chemistry. - Digital Architecture: Designing rootless Sysbox container runtimes, TPM 2.0
hardware security, and zero-trust mesh networking.
Talent 3: Hyper-Connected Eco-Tourism & Autonomous Mobility Vision
Drawing on his background as a pioneer in eco-adventure platforms (e.g., Digital
Adventures Outdoors R Us / Ree Boot Eco Tours), Noel bridges high-tech
industrial infrastructure with luxury outdoor recreation:
- Frictionless Hospitality: Conceptualizing Agent-to-Agent (A2A) booking
engines that allow AI software agents to negotiate bookings, shuttles, and
mid-trail food deliveries in < 4\text{ seconds}. - Off-Grid Mobility: Pioneering dual-use autonomous vehicle fleets (Kurb Kars
/ Pawnee Buggies) that serve high-margin tourists by day and subsidized
rural public transit/NEMT by night.
Talent 4: “The Energy Student” Pipeline Architecture
Noel recognizes that technology deployment fails without local human capital.
Rather than importing out-of-state talent, he designs operational structures
that integrate local West Virginia youth:
- Reversing the Appalachian Brain Drain: Creating paid research fellowships
and operational roles for WVU Statler Engineering, Computer Science, and
Brad D. Smith OEDC students. - Real-World Student Operators: Students act as active system
operators—managing Pawnee GenSets, programming OpenClaw A2A agents, piloting
delivery drones, and building venture-backed spin-offs.
- Michael Noel’s Proprietary Intellectual Property (IP) Portfolio
Michael Noel brings a portfolio of hardware, software, and thermodynamic
Intellectual Property (IP) that underpins DeReticular’s commercial operations.
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| DERETICULAR PROPRIETARY IP PORTFOLIO |
+—-+—————————————+——————————————————+
| # | Intellectual Property (IP) Asset | Technical Description & Core Innovation |
+—-+—————————————+——————————————————+
| 1 | RIOS (Rural Infrastructure OS) | AI-native DERMS kernel for real-time Spark Spread |
| | | arbitrage and IEEE 1547.4 “Island Mode” control. |
+—-+—————————————+——————————————————+
| 2 | Pawnee.us & OpenClaw A2A Protocol | Peer-to-peer autonomous commerce protocol enabling |
| | | A2A micro-negotiations on off-grid mesh networks. |
+—-+—————————————+——————————————————+
| 3 | TPM 2.0 Cryptographic Sensor Oracles | Silicon-level root-of-trust data verification |
| | | architecture producing unhackable ESG audit trails. |
+—-+—————————————+——————————————————+
| 4 | Generation 5 Hardware Product Suite | 6 commercial off-grid assets ([dereticular.com/shop/]):|
| | | Pawnee TAV, Buggy, GenSet, and 3 WISP Gateways. |
+—-+—————————————+——————————————————+
| 5 | Carbon-Consuming Circular Economy V3 | Closed-loop industrial chemistry converting gasifier |
| | (CCCE V3 Engine) | biochar into structural bio-composite eco-pods. |
+—-+—————————————+——————————————————+
| 6 | Project Octagon Global Mesh Blueprint | Architectural blueprint for 8 global sovereign nodes,|
| | | anchoring Node 3 in West Virginia. |
+—-+—————————————+——————————————————+
IP Asset 1: RIOS (Rural Infrastructure Operating System)
- Type: Proprietary Software Kernel / AI-Native DERMS Engine.
- Innovation: An operating system designed specifically for off-grid,
multi-fuel microgrids. RIOS monitors gasifier syngas pressure, engine heat
rates, liquid cooling flow rates, and GPU utilization in real time. It
executes automated, deterministic load-switching, ensuring the microgrid
operates safely in “Island Mode” (IEEE 1547.4 compliant) while continuously
satisfying West Virginia H.B. 2014’s \ge 70\% captive power mandate.
IP Asset 2: Pawnee.us & OpenClaw Agentic Protocol
- Type: Decentralized Autonomous Commerce Protocol.
- Innovation: An open-standard agentic protocol running on the OpenClaw kernel
and Hyphanet/NeoMesh mesh networks. Pawnee.us enables autonomous software
agents representing consumers, outfitters, vehicles, drones, and microgrids
to conduct peer-to-peer (P2P) service discovery, price negotiation, and
smart-contract settlement in under 4 seconds without relying on centralized
cloud monopolies (e.g., Expedia, AWS, or cellular towers).
IP Asset 3: TPM 2.0 Cryptographic Hardware Oracles
- Type: Hardware-Secured Zero-Trust Verification Architecture.
- Innovation: An oracle framework that embeds Trusted Platform Module
(TPM 2.0) security chips into edge gateways (WISP-in-a-Box Base –
$1,497.00). The silicon chip cryptographically signs physical sensor metrics
(soil carbon density, air emissions, gasifier weight, DC bus voltage) at the
physical layer before broadcasting over the mesh:
\text{Audit Proof} = \text{Sign}_{\text{TPM_Key}}\Big(\text{SensorMetric} \,|\, \text{Timestamp} \,|\, \text{GPS} \,|\, \text{DeviceID}\Big)
This creates tamper-proof, ISO 14064-compliant audit logs for institutional
carbon credit buyers and ESG auditors.
IP Asset 4: Generation 5 Commercial Hardware Line
- Type: Commercial Off-Grid Industrial & Mobility Assets
(dereticular.com/shop/). - Portfolio Items:
- Pawnee Flagship TAV ($797,000.00): Custom-built tactical advanced-power
vehicle featuring heavy kinetic power, mobile drone launchpads, and
mobile command. - Pawnee Hybrid Dune Buggy ($99,000.00): 150cc Wankel-electric
range-extender buggy for rapid off-road trail shuttles and mobile mesh
relays. - Pawnee Power GenSet (45 kW) [$49,997.00]: Standalone multi-fuel rotary
generator supplying modular, clean syngas prime power. - WISP-in-a-Box Agentic ($9,997.00): Autonomous sync & AI gateway running
the RIOS/OpenClaw agentic kernel. - WISP-in-a-Box LTE ($5,887.00): Dual-WAN satellite/cellular gateway
delivering 100% network uptime. - WISP-in-a-Box Base ($1,497.00): Air-gapped local sovereign gateway with
embedded TPM 2.0 oracles.DERETICULAR GENERATION 5 HARDWARE ECOSYSTEM
[ WISP-in-a-Box Agentic ($9.9k) ] —> Local AI Agent Control —> [ Pawnee.us A2A Commerce ]
[ WISP-in-a-Box LTE ($5.8k) ] —-> Dual-WAN Satellite/Cell —> [ 100% Mesh Uptime ]
[ Pawnee Flagship TAV ($797k) ] —> Heavy Logistics/Mobile Command —> [ Off-Grid Fleet Ops ]
[ Pawnee Hybrid Buggy ($99k) ] —-> Off-Road Trail Shuttle —> [ All-Terrain Access ] - Pawnee Flagship TAV ($797,000.00): Custom-built tactical advanced-power
IP Asset 5: Carbon-Consuming Circular Economy V3 (CCCE V3)
- Type: Industrial Chemical & Material Conversion Process.
- Innovation: A closed-loop material process that takes biochar byproduct
generated by Agra Energy plasma gasifiers (12\% mass yield from forestry
biomass) and extrudes it with recycled bio-resins to manufacture
high-strength, structural bio-composite building panels (R\text{-38}
insulation value, Class A fire rating). These panels are used to construct
zero-carbon off-grid eco-pods for Digital Adventures Outdoors R Us,
generating verified carbon removal credits (\$85/\text{ton CO}_2\text{e}).
IP Asset 6: Project Octagon Global Mesh Blueprint
- Type: Distributed Sovereign Testbed Architecture.
- Innovation: A multi-node global deployment blueprint linking eight strategic
sovereign nodes across distinct geopolitical and climatic zones. West
Virginia serves as Node 3—the primary North American software authority,
microgrid regulatory benchmark, and university research anchor.
- Strategic Synergy Matrix: Michael Noel vs. West Virginia Assets
+—————————————————————————————————+
| STRATEGIC SYNERGY MATRIX |
+———————————–+———————————–+—————————+
| Michael Noel Talent / IP Asset | West Virginia Regulatory/Asset | Compounded Outcome |
+———————————–+———————————–+—————————+
| • RIOS DERMS Kernel & | • W. Va. H.B. 2014 Certified | Deploy off-grid 10 MW AI |
| “Spark Spread” Arbitrage Engine | Microgrid Program (§24-2-21a) | compute modules in 60 days|
| | • PSC Rate Exemption | with zero utility delay. |
+———————————–+———————————–+—————————+
| • Pawnee.us & OpenClaw | • New River Gorge National Park | Launch hyper-connected |
| A2A Reservation Engine | • Monongahela Outdoor Corridors | eco-hospitality & 20-min |
| | • 40%+ Cellular Dead Zones | trail drone deliveries. |
+———————————–+———————————–+—————————+
| • Gen 5 Pawnee Power GenSets | • Abundant Forestry Biomass & | Generate clean $0.038/kWh |
| & Plasma Gasification (Agra) | Industrial Hemp Feedstocks | prime power from waste. |
+———————————–+———————————–+—————————+
| • Node 5 CCCE V3 Advanced | • Abandoned Coal Preparation | Re-industrialize coal |
| Manufacturing Chemistry | Plants & Industrial Brownfields | brownfields into bio-pod |
| | | & hardware factories. |
+———————————–+———————————–+—————————+
| • “The Energy Student” Workforce | • WVU Statler College, CS & | Reverse brain drain; fund |
| Pipeline Design | $321M NSF RETI Consortium | 14+ student research |
| | Brad D. Smith OEDC | fellowships annually. |
+———————————–+———————————–+—————————+
- Conclusion & Long-Term Economic Impact for West Virginia
Michael Noel is a unique fit for the Ascend West Virginia program. Rather than
utilizing West Virginia solely as a scenic backdrop for remote work, Noel brings
a comprehensive ecosystem designed specifically to leverage the state’s
regulatory protections, physical land assets, and academic research engines.
THE COMPOUNDED WEST VIRGINIA OUTCOME[ Michael Noel Relocation ] —> Establishes Morgantown R&D HQ & New River Gorge Testbed
|
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[ Project Octagon Node 3 ] —-> Deploys $33.2M Initial CapEx (10 MW Sovereign Node)
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[ 10 Commercial Opportunities ] -> Generates $60.8M Gross Revenue & $54.9M EBITDA (Yr 2)
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[ Local Wealth & Talent ] —-> Retains WVU Graduates, Re-Industrializes Brownfields,
and Builds America’s Premier Sovereign Infrastructure Hub
Key Economic Takeaways for West Virginia:
- Immediate Capital Deployment: Michael Noel’s relocation anchors Project
Octagon Node 3 in Monongalia and Fayette counties, representing an initial
Phase 1 capital investment of \$8.31M to \$33.2M. - Re-Industrializing Coal Communities: Through Node 5 Manufacturing, Noel’s
CCCE V3 IP converts abandoned coal preparation brownfields into high-tech
factories that produce bio-composite eco-pods and assemble Gen 5 hardware,
creating high-wage industrial jobs for local tradespeople. - Bypassing “The Permitting Wall”: By applying his deep understanding of
H.B. 2014, Noel demonstrates how high-density AI compute clusters can deploy
in 60 to 90 days behind-the-meter, positioning West Virginia as North
America’s fastest-growing AI infrastructure jurisdiction. - Institutionalizing Student Talent: Noel’s “Energy Student” pipeline
guarantees that WVU engineering, computer science, and hospitality graduates
receive paid fellowships ($250,000/year allocated) and real-world
operational experience, ensuring West Virginia’s best minds stay in state to
build the future.
Michael Noel brings the vision, the execution talent, and the proprietary IP
portfolio required to transform West Virginia into the undisputed capital of
American sovereign infrastructure.
EXECUTIVE APPROVAL & SIGN-OFF
Michael Noel
Founder & Chief Systems Architect, DeReticular LLC
Ascend WV Applicant & Systems Architect: www.dereticular.com
Gen 5 Hardware Portal: www.dereticular.com/shop/