Energy Efficiency - September 15, 2011

DOE Gets Behind 16 EV Projects In 24 States

Local public-private partnerships will get a share of $8.5 million from DOE’s Clean Cities Initiative for a variety of activities to move EV efforts forward. See map below:

Government Efforts

BIPV funds for Dow Solar—$12.8 million, three-year grant funds a program to cut the cost of building-integrated photovoltaic solar products.

Geothermal: The DOE found $38 million for 32 “innovative projects in 14 states” to develop and test new ways “to locate geothermal resources and improve resource characterization, drilling, and reservoir engineering techniques.”

Green models in five state capitals—creating them is the goal of a new EPA program. The efforts will take place in Boston; Jefferson City, Mo.; Hartford, Conn.; Charleston, W.Va.; and Little Rock, Ark.

Hydropower R&D: Nearly $17 million in DOE and Department of the Interior funding over three years will go to 16 projects in 11 states that are working to advance hydropower technology.

Multifamily buildings & Energy Star: The EPA announced a policy change last month. In a news release on the EPA’s website, the agency says, “…new multifamily high-rise residential buildings are now eligible to qualify as Energy Star.”

Offshore wind energy: The DOE awarded $43 million over five years for 41 projects that hope to advanced wind turbine design tools and more.

Scaling Up Nascent PV at Home—that’s the SUNPATH program that the DOE called, “…the second solar Photovoltaic Manufacturing Initiative supporting the SunShot Initiative.” There’s $50 million to be invested over two years.