China Led World Clean Energy Investments in 2009
DOE: $100M for Smart Grid Workforce Training
Navy to Power Fleet with Biofuels
Federal Buildings Go Green with $4B
U.S. Wind Manufacturing Expanded in 2009
Swiss Solar Plane Takes Maiden Flight
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).
