Governments also came together on an additional seven initiatives that will support the growing global market for renewable energy and carbon capture technologies; bring solar LED lanterns to more than 10 million of the world's poorest citizens by 2015; launch virtual clean energy solutions centers to help developing countries transition to low-carbon technologies; and encourage young women to pursue careers in clean energy. See the DOE press release and Ministerial fact sheet (PDF 76 KB), and the DOE Energy Blog Ministerial discussion Web site.
$30 Million for Small Business Clean Energy Technologies
DOE announced on July 14 that $30 million in funding is available to qualified small businesses to support commercialization of promising new clean energy technologies.
The initiative builds on efforts by DOE's existing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program to develop near-term clean energy technologies and to support American small businesses. Small companies previously awarded Phase II grants through SBIR or STTR are eligible for funding. This is the first time DOE has offered Phase III awards under these small business programs. The money will come from the Recovery Act and FY2010 budget appropriations.
Projects that include developed technologies with a strong potential for commercialization and impact on U.S. manufacturing and job creation are encouraged to apply.
Among the technology areas of interest are: biomass technologies for algal biofuels production; buildings technologies for organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and solid state lighting OLEDs; advanced materials and bio-fueled solid oxide fuel cells; and high temperature tools and sensors for geothermal technologies.
Other areas of inquiry include: industrial technologies ranging from sensors and controls to advanced materials; solar technologies aimed at lowering the cost of photovoltaics; vehicle technologies focused on internal heating in DC bus capacitors as well as magnetic materials for motors. Also considered will be lightweight vehicle materials, advanced wind power technologies, electricity delivery and energy reliability such as smart grid technologies, and superconducting and advanced materials for energy storage.
Successful applicants may receive up to $3 million over 3 years to research, develop, and deploy new technologies. See the DOE press release, the funding opportunity announcement, and the DOE SBIR/STTR Web site.
Recovery Act Boosts Advanced Vehicle Investments
On July 14, DOE released a report on the economic impact of Recovery Act investments on advanced batteries and vehicles.
"Recovery Act Investments: Transforming America's Transportation Sector" documents how Recovery Act funds are being matched with private capital to create green jobs, help construct new plants, add new manufacturing lines, install EV charging stations nationwide, and help build the emerging domestic EV industry from the ground up.
Companies have matched-at minimum-dollar for dollar the $2.4 billion in Recovery Act seed money for advanced battery and EV grants. Investments are also increasing battery production capacity, lowering battery costs, and adding vehicle charging locations. The US will have the capacity to produce 20% of the world's electric batteries by 2012 and up to 40% by 2015 because of the investments.
