EERE Monthly News Roundup
Each month, we’ll spotlight feature stories, news, and events from EERE’s technology offices and DOE’s national labs. Here’s the latest:
Increasing Energy Independence and Security
Energy independence and security are critical for national security and economic prosperity. The Biden-Harris administration is acting through climate laws and investments to upgrade the grid, enhance resilience, and support clean energy production. These efforts will create jobs, strengthen the supply chain, and drive economic growth.
Humans of Water Power
The Water Power Technologies Office engaged with professionals in the water power industry at the National Hydropower Association’s Waterpower Week. Interviews with industry experts highlighted their diverse career paths and the impact of their work. Professionals shared their passion for renewable energy, commitment to sustainability, and the importance of diversity and inclusion. Exciting opportunities in water power were discussed, emphasizing the potential for innovation and positive change in the industry.
Transportation Fact of the Week
Pedaling Towards Progress! Bikeshare trips in the U.S. are on the rise! Data from the six largest docked bike-share systems shows a whopping 34% increase in trips from 2019 to 2022. In 2021 and 2022, the number of trips often exceeded the previous year by a significant margin, and in the first three months of 2023, the number of trips surpassed those of the same period in the past four years!
Success Story—American-Made Solar Prize Winners: Where Are They Now?
Powering Solar Innovation! Discover the inspiring success stories of American-Made Solar Prize winners who have transformed solar technology ideas into tangible prototypes. Since 2018, the Solar Prize has awarded $19.6 million to 140 teams, propelling groundbreaking innovations. From enhancing grid resilience to boosting operational efficiency, these visionary entrepreneurs are shaping a sustainable future. Stay updated on Round 6 and the new Power Up Contest in Round 7, driving diverse teams’ advancement.
Success Story—Novel Approach to Solar Forecasting Delivers Improved Reliability and Economic Savings for Texas Grid
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Maxar, has adopted probabilistic forecasting to enhance solar power generation forecasts. This advanced approach provides detailed information on forecast uncertainty, allowing grid operators to efficiently balance renewable energy generation, reduce costs, and improve grid reliability. The DOE’s Net Load Forecasting Prize aims to promote the adoption of probabilistic net load forecasting.
DOE and GSA Select 20 “Green” Technologies to Test in Real-World Buildings
The Green Proving Ground program, led by the General Services Administration (GSA) and DOE, evaluates innovative building technologies to advance sustainability in commercial buildings. The selected technologies cover areas like electric vehicle infrastructure, germicidal ultraviolet technologies, greenhouse gas accounting, efficient buildings, renewables, and window retrofits, and testing validates and encourages wider adoption of these technologies in the industry.
Case Study: Exploring Wind Energy’s Impacts on Wildlife
Wind energy’s impact on wildlife, particularly birds and bats, has been a concern, but the Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) has invested in monitoring and mitigating these interactions over the past 30 years. Collaborative efforts and research supported by WETO have led to advancements in curtailment strategies and deterrent technologies. Ongoing research is necessary as wind energy continues to expand.
DOE Issues New Guidance for the Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program
The DOE’s Loan Programs Office has released updated Program Guidance for the Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program. This program offers up to $300 billion in loan guarantees for clean energy, decarbonization, and energy infrastructure projects. The new guidance includes updates to eligibility, application requirements, and evaluation criteria. It also incorporates new authorities from recent acts.
Events and Webinars
Climate Change Considerations: Energy and Water Resilience Planning
July 11 | 2:30 p.m. ET
Learn about the Federal Emergency Management Program’s tools, resources, climate projections, strategies, and the Technical Resilience Navigator.
Stakeholder Engagement Keys to Success – Lessons Learned by Energy-Efficiency Programs
July 13 | 1 p.m. ET
Learn about effective ways to engage and prioritize stakeholders, and define engagement scope, level, and methods in this Better Buildings Residential Network peer exchange call.
Partnership How-To’s – Lessons Learned for Successful Energy-Efficiency Programs
July 27 | 1 p.m. ET
Learn more about the dynamics of successful partnerships in energy-efficiency programs, including understanding organizational capabilities, assessing potential partners, determining partnership duration, and the benefits of entering partnerships for community expansion or market growth.
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