China Led the World in Clean Energy Investments in 2009
China invested $34.6 billion in clean energy in 2009, making it the world leader in clean energy investments, according to a report by Pew Charitable Trusts. China spent nearly double the the U.S. total of $18.6 billion.
The US remains the leader in venture capital and private equity investments in clean energy, but it trailed in asset financing. Taking the nation’s total clean energy investments as a percentage of gross domestic product, the US invests only 20% as much as Spain and only a third of what China and the UK are investing.
Clean energy investments by nearly all G-20 members have increased by more than 50% over the past five years – a 230% increase in globally since 2005. $162 billion was invested in 2009, despite the global recession.
As a result, more than 250 GW of renewable energy capacity have been installed around the world, producing 6% of global energy. The report projects that global clean energy investments will increase to $200 billion in 2010.
The most robust clean energy sectors are in countries with strong national policies, including renewable energy standards, carbon markets, mandated clean energy targets, and priority loans for renewable energy projects. The Pew report includes clean energy profiles for each of the G-20 nations. See the Pew press release and the full report (PDF 2.9 MB).
DOE Awards $100 Million for Smart Grid Workforce Training
DOE announced on April 8 it will award nearly $100 million in Recovery Act funds to 54 Smart Grid workforce training programs that will prepare the next generation of workers in the electric utility and electrical equipment manufacturing industries. Located in 32 states and the District of Columbia, the programs will leverage over $95 million in funding from community colleges, universities, utilities, and manufacturers. About 30,000 people will receive training.
The funding builds on the $4 billion in Recovery Act funding for Smart Grid deployment and demonstration projects throughout the country. Training will support electricians, line workers, technicians, system operators, power system engineers, cyber security specialists, and transmission planners.
New training programs and curricula will be developed at a variety of educational institutions, as well as workforce programs conducted by electrical equipment manufacturers and electric utilities to train new hires and retrain current employees. The award selections include 33 projects at educational institutions and 21 training projects at electrical equipment manufacturers and electric utilities. See the DOE press release and the complete project list (PDF 315 KB).
Navy to Power Fleet with Biofuels
The U.S. Navy has set targets for the Navy and Marine Corps to reduce reliance on fossil fuels from volatile areas of the world, in part by increasing use of biofuels.
The goals are:
- include energy efficiency and energy footprint in purchasing decisions;
- demonstrate a "Green Strike Group" composed of nuclear vessels and ships powered by biofuels by 2012
- have a "Great Green Fleet" sailing by 2016 that includes biofuel-powered hybrid electric power systems and aircraft running on biofuels;
- phase in flex-fuel, hybrid, and electric vehicles to cut petroleum use 50% by 2015 for its fleet of 50,000 non-tactical commercial vehicles;
- produce at least half the energy required for shore-based installations from alternative sources by 2020, with 50% of all shore-based installations achieving net zero energy use;
- meeting 50% the Navy’s total energy needs for ships, aircraft, tanks, vehicles, and shore installations from alternative sources by 2020. Costs of transporting fuel has increased exponentially; it can cost up to $400 to deliver a gallon of gasoline to the battlefield.
To meet the Navy’s energy goals, its working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop advanced biofuels and other renewable energy systems. The USDA and the Navy signed a MOU on January 21 to pursue that goal, and they held an energy forum on April 6 in Honolulu, Hawaii, to advance the partnership.
As a result, the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research, and the University of Hawaii have agreed to work with the Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company on Maui to develop decision tools to assess the most sustainable opportunities for producing advanced biofuels and renewable electricity from sugarcane and other biomass crops grown in Hawaii. The Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company is Hawaii’s largest agricultural operation and its last sugar plantation. See the press releases from the Navy and the USDA.
Federal Buildings Go Green with $4 Billion in Recovery Act Funds
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) reached the milestone of investing $4 billion in Recovery Act funds for energy efficiency in federal buildings nationwide.
Since the passage of the Recovery Act in 2009, the GSA has awarded construction projects to more than 500 companies, creating jobs in all 50 states. To accomplish this, the GSA streamlined operations to quickly award contracts and begin construction on hundreds of green projects.
GSA anticipates that all new and significantly upgraded federal buildings will achieve at least a LEED Silver certification.
Projects include: construction of an energy-efficient courthouse in Austin, Texas, incorporating high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, extensive use of natural light, and a green" roof; the installation of solar panels and insulation on the roof of the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Regional Office and Insurance Center in Pennsylvania; and renovation of the Goodfellow Federal Center in St. Louis, Missouri, modernizing the 1941-vintage structure with advanced lighting systems, maximum daylight, a high-performance heating and cooling system, and solar hot water.
The GSA was given $5.5 billion under the Recovery Act to create green federal facilities. See the GSA press release.
U.S. Wind Manufacturing Expanded in 2009
U.S. wind industry manufacturing grew in 2009 although at a slower rate than in 2008, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). 10 new manufacturing facilities came online in the US in 2009, 20 more were announced, and nine facilities were expanded.
The largest expansion was in the manufacture of wind turbine sub-components, such as bearings, electrical components, and hydraulic systems. In addition, seven manufacturing facilities for small wind turbines were opened, announced, or expanded.
From 2007-2009, the U.S. wind industry opened, announced, or expanded over 100 manufacturing facilities, bringing the total for wind turbine components to over 200.
All 50 states now employ people in the wind industry – totally about 85,000 workers. Jobs include turbine component manufacturing, construction and installation of wind turbines, wind turbine operations and maintenance, legal and marketing services, transportation and logistical services, etc.
GE Energy remains tops in U.S. wind turbine sales, NextEra Energy Resources continues to lead in wind farm ownership, and Xcel Energy continues to lead utilities in wind power usage.
For 2009, new wind generating capacity installed in the US rose to 10,010 MW, up from 9,922 MW. That made 2009 a record year, with enough wind energy to power about 2.4 million average U.S. homes. See the AWEA press release and an excerpt from the full report (PDF 371 KB).
Swiss Solar Plane Takes Maiden Flight
A solar-powered aircraft took its maiden flight on April 7 in Switzerland, achieving the latest milestone in a project that aims to launch a zero-emission flight around the world in 2012.
Solar Impulse HB-SIA, a lightweight prototype with the 208-foot wingspan of a Boeing 747-400, climbed to just under 4,000 feet during the 87-minute flight. The aircraft has nearly 12,000 silicon mono-crystalline solar cells on its wings and horizontal stabilizer, which power the aircraft’s four electric engines.
A test pilot put the craft through a series of maneuvers before landing. Chairman and co-founder Bertrand Piccard views this as an important step forward, but says the team has far to go before it can fly an aircraft all night in preparation for the around-the-world flight.
Piccard, who was first to pilot a balloon non-stop around the globe, initiated the Solar Impulse Project in 2003. His team includes multi-disciplinary scientists and advisers from a number of countries.
In December 2009, the Solar Impulse completed a short inaugural takeoff-and-landing at an airport in preparation for this initial extended flight. Backers plan further testing of this model, which relies on minimal instrumentation and an unpressurized cabin. The next major goal is a 36-hour flight, which would require the addition of lithium-polymer batteries for night flight.
Following that, a second aircraft, Solar Impulse HB-SIB, will be built to attempt several consecutive 24-hour flight cycles. Success in those trials would enable the Solar Impulse to attempt its first trans-Atlantic crossing, currently scheduled for 2012. Meeting that benchmark would clear the Solar Impulse for an around-the-world solar journey. See the Solar Impulse press release and the flight video.
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EREE Network News is a weekly publication of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
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