Building on the Obama Administration’s Climate Action Plan, the Energy Department today announced $25 million in funding to advance concentrating solar power (CSP) system technologies. This investment will fund research and development (R&D) projects to improve the performance and increase the efficiency of all components of CSP plants, ultimately lowering the cost of solar electricity and producing affordable, clean and renewable energy, even at night, by storing the heat generated by the sun. "Investments to improve the efficiency and lower the costs of concentrating solar power technologies enhance our ability to deliver affordable solar-generated electricity to American families and businesses, while also moving us closer to achieving President Obama’s goal of doubling renewable energy generation again by the end of the decade," said Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Danielson. CSP generates electric power by using mirrors to focus and concentrate the sun’s rays on a receiver from...

In support of President Obama’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, the Energy Department today announced up to $25 million in funding to reduce the cost of algal biofuels to less than $5 per gasoline gallon equivalent (gge) by 2019. This funding supports the development of a bioeconomy that can help create green jobs, spur innovation, improve the environment, and achieve national energy security. Algae biomass can be converted to advanced biofuels that offer promising alternatives to petroleum-based diesel and jet fuels.  Additionally, algae can be used to make a range of other valuable bioproducts, such as industrial chemicals, bio-based polymers, and proteins. However, barriers related to algae cultivation, harvesting, and conversion to fuels and products need to be overcome to achieve the Department’s target of $3 per gge for advanced algal biofuels by 2030. To accomplish this goal, the Department is investing in applied research and development technologies that achieve higher biomass yields...

Private Companies, Federal Agencies and National Labs Join Better Buildings Challenge to Drive Greater Efficiency in U.S. Data Centers WASHINGTON, D.C. – As a part of the Administration’s effort to support greater energy efficiency through the Better Buildings Challenge, the Energy Department today announced the first data center owners and operators who have committed to reduce their energy use by at least 20 percent over the next decade. Data centers consumed about 100 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity in the U.S last year and that number is expected to grow as more information is shared and stored online. “Through the Better Buildings Challenge, public and private sector partners are demonstrating leadership through their efforts to save money by saving energy,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “As the Better Buildings Challenge expands, leading organizations are partnering with the Department to apply energy efficiency measures and energy management strategies that will shape the...

The Water Power Program today awarded $6.5 million to a Prize Administration Team led by Ricardo Inc. of Van Buren Township, Michigan for the development and execution of the Energy Department’s Wave Energy Conversion (WEC) Prize Competition.  The WEC Prize aims to attract innovative ideas from developers by offering a monetary prize purse to participants and by providing an opportunity for tank testing and evaluation of scaled WEC prototypes. The WEC Prize is designed to increase the diversity of people involved in WEC technology development, while motivating and inspiring existing stakeholders. The Energy Department envisions this competition will achieve game-changing performance enhancements to WEC devices, establishing a pathway to sweeping cost reductions at a commercial scale. Ricardo Inc. will be supported by JZ Consulting, from the Greater Detroit Area, for challenge development and management expertise. Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, as well as the Naval Surface Warfare...

EERE offers webinars to the public on a range of subjects, from adopting the latest energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, to training for the clean energy workforce. Webinars are free; however, advanced registration is typically required. You can also watch archived webinars and browse previously aired videos, slides, and transcripts. Upcoming Webinars September 25: Live Webcast on Alternative Fuel Online Tools and Resources Webcast Sponsors: Clean Cities , Vehicle Technologies Office The Energy Department will present a live webcast titled “Alternative Fuels Data Center Tools and Resources” on Thursday, September 25, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The webcast will present an overview of updates and new tools that have recently been added to the Energy Department’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC). Alexis Schayowitz, from ICF International, will review new and upcoming improvements to the Alternative Fueling Station Locator , including an increased frequency of updates as...

The Energy Department presented Housing Innovation Awards to 28 industry leaders today during the Energy and Environmental Building Alliance’s Excellence in Building Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The industry leaders are commercializing and deploying cutting-edge technologies and helping to significantly reduce the energy costs of the nation’s homes. "The Housing Innovation Awards recognize forward-thinking contractors and builders for delivering extraordinary energy efficiency while ensuring superior comfort, health and durability in new and existing homes," said Dr. David Danielson, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. The following industry professionals were presented with Housing Innovation Awards: DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Leading Builders Housing Innovation Awards are presented to builders in the Department's Zero Energy Ready Home program who are changing the way homes are designed and constructed. Zero energy-ready homes represent a whole new level of home performance, with rigorous requirements that ensure outstanding levels of energy savings, comfort, health...