the University of Minnesota NorthernSTAR Energy Efficient Housing Research Partnership Team will develop and deploy high performance energy-efficient solutions for new and existing homes in cold and severe cold climates. Other projects will focus on efficiency solutions for homes in hot humid and marine climates, and on affordable housing, technical and market barriers, market delivery strategies, and systems-engineered solutions.
See the DOE press release for a complete list of recipients, the Building Technologies Program Web site, and the DOE Retrofit initiative press release.
DOE, Dept of Defense Announce Clean Energy Agreement
On July 27, DOE announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Defense to accelerate clean energy innovation and enhance national energy security. The agencies are committed to reducing U.S. vulnerabilities through improved energy efficiency, reduced fossil fuel use, and on-site renewable energy generation.
The MOU, signed by Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman and Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn, also covers alternative fuels, efficient transportation technologies and fueling infrastructure, grid security, smart grid, storage, waste-to-energy, basic science research, and mobile/deployable power. The MOU builds on existing cooperation between DOE and the Defense Department, and will broaden collaboration on clean energy technology research, development, and demonstration.
The Defense Department wants to speed the transition of innovative energy and conservation technologies from labs to military end users. Partnering with the Defense Department gives DOE the chance to speed deployment of its technologies and expertise, and to promote scientific and technological innovation. See the MOU (PDF 328 KB).
Maine Signs Ocean Energy Agreement with Nova Scotia
On July 12, Maine Governor John Baldacci and Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter signed a MOU to work together on ocean electricity generation.
The MOU calls for sharing information on renewable electricity with a focus on ocean tidal energy and offshore wind. The MOU was signed during the 34th Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, held to discuss energy security, efficiency, and renewable energy development in the region.
In June, Baldacci was one of 10 U.S. governors to sign a MOU with the U.S. Department of the Interior that formally established the Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Consortium. The consortium is promoting development of wind resources on the Outer Continental Shelf along the East Coast, primarily by coordinating state and federal efforts relating to permitting, environmental studies, technical and financial barriers, and infrastructure needed to deploy and maintain offshore wind plants. See the
press release on Governor Baldacci's Web site.
