New Tool for Renewable Energy Investors, Entrepreneurs, and Companies
On June 30, 2010, the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") launched its Technology Commercialization Portal (the "Portal"). The Portal is an online resource that provides a mechanism for investors, entrepreneurs and companies to identify new technologies coming out of DOE laboratories and other participating research institutions. Relevant technologies include:
- Advanced Materials
- Biomass and Biofuels
- Building Energy Efficiency
- Electricity Transmission and Distribution
- Energy Analysis Models, Tools and Software
- Energy Storage
- Geothermal
- Hydrogen and Fuel Cell
- Hydropower, Wave and Tidal
- Industrial Technologies
- Solar Photovoltaic
- Solar Thermal
- Vehicles and Fuels
- Wind Energy
The Portal contains marketing summaries about the various DOE technologies that are available for licensing. Each marketing summary describes a technology's applications, advantages, benefits and state of development. Further, the Portal also provides access to information on patents and patent applications that have been created using DOE funding since 1992.
The Portal is located at http://techportal.eere.energy.gov/
DOE Issues RFI on Wind Energy Workforce Development Roadmap
The DOE has issued a Request For Information ("RFI") to get the public's input on the development of a Wind Energy Workforce Roadmap, which will provide details on the current workforce landscape in the wind industry as well as future steps necessary to train and develop a green workforce for the sector. Ultimately, the Roadmap will help shape policy objectives and the overall development of a wind energy workforce.
Here is the link to the RFI: https://www.fedconnect.net/FedConnect/?doc=DE-FOA-0000392&agency=DOE
Show Me the Money: State Energy Programs for Seven States and Territories Awarded $119 Million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act ("Recovery Act")
On August 14, 2009, the Department of Energy ("DOE") State Energy Program ("SEP") announced that more than $119 million in funding from the Recovery Act to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects has been awarded to Alabama, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, North Dakota and Wyoming.
Here is a summary of how the monies will be used by each of the states and territories:
- Alabama has been awarded $22,228,000 in federal stimulus funds. Alabama will utilize the Recovery Act SEP funding to promote energy efficiency of businesses (with a particular focus on the automotive supplier industry), schools, and correctional facilities and the development of renewable energy resources in the state. The state will also use funds to create a new "energy revolving loan fund" to stimulate the creation and retention of jobs and increase the generation of renewable energy by providing low-interest loans for new and existing industries in the state. The loans will be used for the installation of renewable energy systems and the implementation of energy efficiency measures. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, Alabama will receive nearly $28 million in additional funding, for a total of more than $55 million. Click here for more information regarding Alabama's state energy program and use of Recovery Act funds.
- American Samoa was awarded $7,420,000 in federal stimulus funds. American Samoa will utilize the Recovery Act SEP funding to expand the use of renewable energy across the territory, as well as to supplement weatherization funds to improve home energy efficiency for low-income residents. Specifically, the territory will install a 1,000 kW photovoltaic solar-energy array near the Tafuna Power Station, 19 smaller 28 kW solar arrays on the roofs of government and other buildings, and a solar water heating system at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center. American Samoa is also interested in expanding its use of wind power, and will use Recovery Act funds to set up eight anemometers to measure and quantify the territory's wind potential. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the territory will receive more than $9 million in additional funding, for a total of $18 million.
- The District of Columbia was awarded $8,808,800 in federal stimulus funds. The District of Columbia will utilize the Recovery Act SEP funding to improve energy efficiency in government buildings and support numerous public energy education initiatives. Specifically, the state will use funds to replace existing mechanical and electrical equipment at various DC properties with new energy efficient equipment and controls. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the District will receive an additional $11 million, for a total of more than $22 million.
- Illinois has been awarded $40,528,400 in federal stimulus funds. Illinois will utilize the Recovery Act SEP funding for energy efficiency retrofits and the biofuels industry. Specifically, the state will provide grants to support new biomass manufacturing capacity or retrofits to existing facilities that will help reduce operating expenses and the environmental impact of biofuels manufacturing. The state will also use the Recovery Act SEP funds to provide grants to various entties including schools, public buildings, and industrial facilities to improve energy efficiency in new and existing buildings, facilities, equipment, and processes. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, Illinois will receive more than $50 million in additional funding, for a total of more than $101 million. Click here for more information on Illinois's state energy program and use of Recovery Act funds.
- Maryland has been awarded $20,708,880 in federal stimulus funds. Maryland will utilize the Recovery Act SEP funding to promote clean and efficient energy usage in the transportation, residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The state will also provide grants to support cost-effective and environmentally responsible building retrofits, along with innovative public-financing programs such as the EmPOWER financing initiative that will enable property owners to leverage private capital in order to implement efficiency improvements. Other uses for the funding will focus on supporting educational and workforce training efforts that will help familiarize the state's workforce with important sustainable energy approaches. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, Maryland will receive $26 million in additional funding, for a total of more than $51 million.
- North Dakota has been awarded $9,834,000 in federal stimulus funds. North Dakota will utilize the Recovery Act SEP funds to promote various energy efficiency and conservation efforts, including providing energy education resources for North Dakota's agricultural and industrial sectors that will help farmers, ranchers, contractors and building tradesmen reduce their energy use. The state will also lead by example by improving energy efficiency of state buildings and installing renewable energy systems at state facilities. Funds will also be used to create a statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy rebate program, in partnership with investor-owned and municipal utilities and rural electric cooperatives. In addition, the state will establish an Emergency High Efficiency Furnace Rebate Program, which will assist victims of the 2009 spring floods with the incremental cost of installing a high efficiency furnace to replace standard efficiency furnaces and heating systems. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, North Dakota will receive over $12 million in additional funding for a total of more than $24 million.
- Wyoming has been awarded $9,976,400 in federal stimulus funds. Wyoming will use its Recovery Act SEP funds to promote energy efficiency in buildings and homes across the state. The state will make grants to governmental and tribal entities, nonprofit organizations, and others for the purpose of retrofitting existing facilities to improve their energy efficiency by a minimum of 25%. Wyoming will also use the Recovery Act funds to provide rebates to help middle-income homeowners that are not eligible for low-income weatherization assistance to increase energy efficiency of their homes. In addition, Wyoming will provide rebates of up to $5,000 to homeowners for installing residential renewable energy systems, including solar photovoltaic, wind and geothermal systems. After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the state will receive more than $12 million in additional funding, for a total of nearly $25 million.
Show Me the Money: $141 Million Awarded Under State Energy Program
From our colleague Christina Asavareungchai:
Today, the Department of Energy announced more than $141 million in Recovery Act funding to six states and territories under its State Energy Program (“SEP”). Here is how the funds will be used in Hawaii, Maine, Nebraska, New Mexico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Texas:
Hawaii will use its SEP funds to directly finance high-performance buildings, retrofits, and other energy-saving measures, in addition to training professionals in the building and design industry about energy efficiency. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Hawaii will receive additional funds of nearly $13 million, for a total of almost $26 million.
Maine will use its SEP funds to improve energy efficiency across multiple sectors. The funds will facilitate the establishment of more energy-efficient building codes, as well as the expansion of programs that aim to improve the energy efficiency of businesses and homes. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Maine will receive additional funds of more than $13 million, for a total of over $27 million.
Nebraska will use its SEP funds to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. The state will establish more efficient building energy codes, offer energy efficiency training, and fund programs that offer low-interest loans to the commercial and industrial sector. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Nebraska will receive additional funds of more than $15 million, for a total of over $30 million.
New Mexico will use its SEP funds to offer financial incentives for the purchase of fuel-efficient vehicles, alternative fuels, and investments in related infrastructure. The state will also fund building retrofits, energy audits, the establishment of energy codes, and the expansion of the Weatherization Assistance Program. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, New Mexico will receive additional funds of nearly $16 million, for a total of almost $32 million.
The Northern Mariana Islands will use its SEP funds to improve the energy efficiency of its buildings, establish energy efficiency policies, and educate the public about energy efficiency. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, the territory will receive additional funds of more than $9 million, for a total of over $18 million.
Texas will use its SEP funds to establish a revolving loan program for improving energy efficiency at public facilities and to offer competitive grants to state agencies, schools, hospitals, and communities for the implementation of renewable energy technologies. Texas will also use its funds to provide training for green jobs and to launch an educational campaign designed to teach the public about the link between energy conservation, reduced emissions, and job creation. After demonstrating success in the execution of its plan, Texas will receive additional funds of $109 million, for a total of almost $219 million.
$480 Million Available for Integrated Biorefinery Projects
Last week DOE released a new funding opportunity announcement for up to $480 million for pilot-scale and demonstration-scale integrated biorefinery projects. An integrated biorefinery uses an “acceptable feedstock” to produce a biofuel or bioproduct as the “primary product.” Acceptable feedstocks include:
- Algae
- Certain woody biomass
- Renewable plant materials so long as it is not generally intended for use as food
- Crop reside (cobs, stover, etc.)
- Yard and food waste
- Certain post-sorted MSW
The projects must be either pilot-scale (processing at least one dry tonne of feedstock per day) or demonstration-scale (processing at least 50 dry tonnes of feedstock per day).
The maximum award for a pilot-scale project is $25 million and the maximum award for a demonstration-scale project is $50 million. Generally, the cost share requirements from non-Federal sources are 20% for pilot-scale projects and 50% for demonstration-scale projects.
Applications are due June 30, 2009. Although not required, DOE suggests all prospective applicants submit a notice of intent to apply, which can be submitted through May 29, 2009.
Visit www.grants.gov or www.fedconnect.net for more information on this opportunity.
