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Weekly Clean Energy Roundup:September 28, 2005

News and Events California Approves $2 Billion for Energy Efficiency Ford to Offer Hybrid Versions of Half its Lineup by 2010 Netherlands’ Nuon Solar Team Leads the World Solar Challenge National Solar Tour Comes to 43 States and D.C. this Weekend Solar Panels and Biodiesel Aid in Hurricane Recovery Efforts DOE Draft Plan Examines Technologies to Cut Greenhouse GasesSite NewsDOE’s Efficiency and Renewable Office Renews its Consumer Site News and EventsCalifornia Approves $2 Billion for Energy EfficiencyThe California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) approved last week $2 billion in funding over the next three years for energy efficiency and conservation programs throughout the state. Referred to by the CPUC as “the most ambitious energy efficiency and conservation campaign in the history of the (U.S.) utility industry,” the effort includes consumer rebates of up to $600 for appliances that carry the Energy Star label. It also provides $230 million per year for the state’s Green Building Initiative, which aims to cut energy use in government buildings by 20 percent.The campaign includes online energy audits for homes and voluntary energy audits for businesses, schools, hospitals, and other buildings, followed up with design assistance and equipment rebates for energy efficiency improvements. Efforts will focus […]

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DOE Releases Draft Strategic Climate Change Plan

The Department of Energy has released for public review and comment a plan for accelerating the development and reducing the cost of new and advanced technologies that avoid, reduce, or capture and store greenhouse gas emissions the technology component of a comprehensive U.S. approach to climate change. The technologies developed under the Climate Change Technology program will be used and deployed among the United States’ partners in the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development that was announced earlier this year. “This Strategic Plan is the first of its kind and will provide a comprehensive, long-term look at the role for advanced technology in addressing this important global concern,” David Conover, Director of the Climate Change Technology Program said. “This forward-looking document will allow us and our partners to drive and capitalize on technological innovation far into the future. The Asia-Pacific Partnership coupled with the technologies that we will develop will have a significant impact in addressing this long-term challenge.” The U.S. Climate Change Technology Program’s (CCTP) draft Strategic Plan provides strategic direction and organizes about $3 billion in federal spending for climate change-related technology research, development, demonstration, and deployment needed to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and power economic growth. This […]

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Nation's Largest Fuel Cell Pilot Project Operating at Verizon

Verizon is now operating the largest fuel cell project of its kind in the country – supplying electric power at a large call-switching center and office building here. The seven fuel cells, built by UTC Power, in addition to being environmentally responsible, will provide another layer of network reliability in the event of a disaster. Verizon’s Garden City project is unique because the existing commercial power grid, the new fuel cells and existing Verizon backup power work together to meet any set of operational needs required at the building. They include electrical backup for commercial power outages, natural disasters and periods of peak commercial power demands. Major funding for the project was provided by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Verizon also expects to receive some funding from New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). “As part of the President’s plan to modernize the electric grid, it is critical to demonstrate technologies which add reliability and resiliency to the grid,” said Kevin Kolevar, director of DOE’s Office of Electricity Reliability and Energy Security. “The same is true of our telecommunications infrastructure. Upgrading both systems concurrently can mean efficiency gains for both business and the consumer.” Verizon has installed […]

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