The partnership will help renewable energy system designers, operators, and electric power system administrators improve the cost effectiveness and reliability of weather-dependent renewable energy technologies. The collaboration includes a working group from DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and NOAA that will identify areas for continued focus and research and will help lay out next steps for improving the efficiency of renewable resources and better integrating renewable energy sources onto the grid.
The group will produce an action plan in the coming months that will address improving renewable resource characterization models and methodologies for optimizing system reliability and performance; advancing meteorological and oceanic forecasting technologies, models, and methodologies; defining national weather and oceanic monitoring systems needed to support renewable energy; predicting climate effects on renewable energy resources; and coordinating both public and private sector contributions to addressing renewable resource needs. See the DOE press release, the MOU , and the Wind and Water Power Program Web site.
DOE Promotes Clean Energy in Tribal Communities
On January 19, DOE announced two initiatives to promote tribal energy development and continue strengthening the partnership between DOE and tribal nations.
Up to $10 million will be available this year through DOE's Tribal Energy Program to support the evaluation, development, and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on tribal lands. The projects will help save energy and money, expand the use of renewable energy resources, and promote economic development for tribal communities.
DOE's Tribal Summit with American Indian and Alaska Native leaders will be held May 5, 2011 in Washington, D.C. The DOE Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs will work closely with the DOE Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs to reach out to tribal leaders in the design of the summit.
The funds will support three areas: first steps and capacity building; energy efficiency development and deployment; and renewable energy development and deployment. Up to $1.5 million is expected to support projects focused on capacity building and strategic planning, which can include energy resource and infrastructure analyses, development of an energy organization, and training programs. The energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment initiatives are expected to receive up to $4 million each to study the technical and economic feasibility of future energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy projects.
Indian tribes, tribal energy resource development organizations and tribal consortia on whose lands the projects will be located are eligible to apply for the available funding. See the DOE press release, the full funding opportunity announcements , a list of the Tribal Energy Program opportunities, and the Tribal Energy Program Web site.
EPA Grants E15 Fuel Waiver for 2001-2006 Model Year Vehicles
The U.S. EPA has waived the limitation on selling fuel that contains over 10% ethanol, allowing up to 15% ethanol for model year 2001-2006 vehicles. In October, EPA ruled in favor of E15 for model year 2007 and newer vehicles.
For now, no waiver is being granted for E15 use in model year 2000 and older cars or light trucks-or in any motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles, or non-road engines-because no testing data support such a waiver. Since 1979, up to 10% ethanol or E10 has been used for all conventional cars and light trucks, and for non-road vehicles.
