Author: US DOE Staff Published: 4/19/2023 Weekly Jolt
FUNDING UPDATES
EERE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office announced a $6.5 million funding opportunity for seedling projects that focus on innovative and novel ideas in photovoltaics and concentrating solar-thermal power. This opportunity is designed to streamline the application process to encourage applications from early-career researchers who have never applied or been selected for a solar project award. Applications are due June 1.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY NEWS
EERE is renewing funding for its Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), one of DOE’s six existing Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institutes. IACMI is a public-private partnership created between DOE and the University of Tennessee to develop clean energy solutions and catalyze U.S. manufacturing competitiveness, building a network that has served more than 150 partners, trained more than 2,000 people in the composites manufacturing workforce, and created more than 3,000 jobs.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORTATION NEWS
EERE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office announced the grand champion and top four finalists of the Energy Algae Prize, a student competition looking for innovative solutions for algae production, processing, and product development. Team Kelp! I Need Some Algae from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks won the top prize of $15,000. Four other teams received $10,000.
RENEWABLE NEWS
The decision to invest in offshore wind energy projects is often made several years in advance, making it difficult to forecast an accurate cost. So, researchers developed a tool—the Forecasting Offshore and Reductions in Cost of Energy, or FORCE—to better estimate the planning and development costs of building offshore wind energy.
35 YEARS OF COLLEGIATE COMPETITIONS
Student Competitions Support a Diverse Clean Energy Workforce
Different perspectives expand the possibilities of innovation, yet women and people of color remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Attracting people with various backgrounds to work in clean energy starts with piquing their interest in STEM in school. That’s why the DOE has been supporting student competitions for 35 years.
Events and Webinars
April 25 | 1:30 p.m.–6 p.m. ET
Join the American-Made program for its second annual Earth Day Event, celebrating the innovators, organizations, and visionaries leading the clean energy revolution. During this hybrid event, you’ll hear from key energy industry players about the launch of new prizes, prize awards, and past winner success stories.
April 27 | 1 p.m. ET
In this Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call, learn about the successful projects and research findings that enabled integrated energy efficiency, demand flexibility, and demand response programs.
April 27 | 1:30 p.m. ET
Join the Geothermal Technologies Office for their quarterly review to learn about upcoming projects and events to deploy geothermal across the United States.
May 2–4
Join experts from EERE’s Building Technologies Office in Chicago as they cover important code topics and discuss current funding opportunities.
May 8 | 12 p.m. ET
This in-person workshop will cover the Floating Offshore Wind Shot™ priorities, including breakout sessions on cost reduction; supply chain development; just and sustainable development; and more to advise Shot-related activities. This event is free and open to the public.
May 8–10
The summit will explore how the U.S. west coast states can stay on track to establish a sustainable floating wind industry and supply chain that will generate jobs and economic development for decades
May 16–18
EERE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office and Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office will meet in Washington, DC, for a joint Peer Review to evaluate their strategic and operational impact.