- Milestone: 200,000 Homes Weatherized
- 2 Million Smart Meters Installed in U.S.
- Peace Corps to Tackle Grassroots Energy Issues
- EPA, DOT Propose New Fuel Economy Labels
- First Solar Thermal Plant in California Licensed in 20 Years
- Ohio State Speeding Bullet EV Claims World Speed Record
- US Used Less Energy, More Renewables in 2009
Milestone: 200,000 Homes Weatherized
On August 26, Vice President Biden announced that 200,000 homes have been weatherized under the Recovery Act, employing thousands of carpenters and electricians and saving low-income families money on utility bills.
Weatherization services can cut a family’s average annual energy bill more than $400 during the first year after home retrofits, according to a recent study by DOE’s Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL).
DOE’s Weatherization Assistance Program is now upgrading homes at its optimal rate-about 25,000 homes per month- to achieve the Obama Administration target of making 600,000 residences more energy efficient under the Recovery Act.
In the previous week, DOE released the selection of 119 organizations that will receive nearly $120 million to support new pilot weatherization projects designed to demonstrate innovative delivery, groundbreaking financial models, and new conservation technologies.
Overall, the Administration is investing about $90 billion through the Recovery Act in clean energy and energy-efficiency projects that cut costs, reduce energy use, and create green jobs. See the DOE press release, the August 25 edition of EERE Network News, and the ORNL energy savings report (PDF 287 KB).
2 Million Smart Meters Installed in the U.S.
DOE announced on August 31 that two million smart meters have been installed across the country, supported by Recovery Act funding that’s speeding modernization of the U.S. electrical grid. Smart meter technology helps reduce the time needed to respond to energy disruptions and enables people to monitor their energy consumption and costs.
An Electric Power Research Institute analysis estimates smart grid technologies could reduce electricity use by over 4% a year by 2030, amounting to $20.4 billion savings for businesses and individuals.
To move in that direction, Battelle Memorial Institute is collaborating with American Electric Power on the Ohio gridSMART demonstration project to upgrade the electric grid in northeast central Ohio near Columbus. Some 110,000 smart meters have been installed, funded in part by a $75 million DOE grant using Recovery Act funds.
Overall, such efforts will improve grid reliability, increase grid efficiency, lower energy consumption and costs, reduce peak demand, and significantly reduce carbon emissions. See the DOE press release and the gridSMART Web site.
Peace Corps to Tackle Grassroots Energy Issues
The Peace Corps announced on August 19 that the U.S. Department of State will provide $1 million to fund the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA).
The money will help Peace Corps efforts that increase rural access to energy, mitigate the effects of climate change, and support the use of renewable energy and energy efficient technologies in Central and South American communities.
Peace Corps volunteers will work with local communities to build green energy infrastructure and to educate communities on climate change and energy conservation.
Volunteers will train host-country citizens to install, operate, and maintain energy-efficient technologies, including alternative fuels, biodigesters, solar water heaters, photovoltaic devices, solar and fuel-efficient stoves, and wind or mini hydroelectric power generation. These efforts will make clean energy more accessible to rural communities, reduce carbon emissions, and provide opportunities for individuals to generate income.
This is the most recent initiative for ECPA, which has expanded since President Obama invited all Western Hemisphere countries to join during the Fifth Summit of the Americas in April 2009.
In the spring, DOE announced a series of EPCA partnerships to address clean energy and energy security in the Western Hemisphere, including launching an Energy Innovation Center for Latin America and the Caribbean, developing biomass resources in Columbia, and cooperating with Argentina on clean energy technologies. The Peace Corps’ initial ECPA-related efforts will be implemented in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Suriname. See the Peace Corps press release, the ECPA Web site, and the April 21 edition of EERE Network News.
EPA, DOT Propose New Fuel Economy Labels
On August 30, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and U.S. EPA announced they are jointly proposing changes to the fuel economy labels displayed on new vehicles.
The goal of the overhaul is to provide purchasers with straightforward energy and environmental comparisons across all types of vehicles, including electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV), and conventional gasoline vehicles. The agencies are seeking public comment on proposed label design options and aim to complete the rule in time for the 2012 model year.
For EVs and PHEVs, EPA and DOT want to show energy use by translating electricity consumption into miles per gallon equivalent. The labels for EVs also include energy use expressed in terms of kilowatt-hours per 100 miles.
There are two new label designs for comment. One gives vehicles a letter grade from A-D to represent its overall fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions performance. It also displays expected fuel cost savings over five years compared to a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle.
The second option retains the current label’s focus on miles per gallon and annual fuel costs, but updates the overall design and adds new comparison information on fuel economy and emissions. Both updates expand on the content of the current label by including new information on fuel consumption, tailpipe C02 emissions, and smog-related emissions.
The agencies will open a 60-day comment period following publication of the proposal in the Federal Register. See the EPA press release, the EPA Fuel Economy Label Web site, where you can leave a comment, and the National Highway Safety Traffic Safety Administration’s Fuel Economy Web site.
California Licenses First Solar Thermal Power Plant in 20 Years
On August 25, the California Energy Commission approved construction of the 250 MW Beacon Solar Energy Project, the first solar thermal project permitted in the state in 20 years.
A subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources will build the concentrated solar generating facility on 2,012 acres on the western edge of the Mojave Desert. The parabolic trough solar thermal technology will produce electricity by heating fluids that transfer heat to drive steam generators.
During August, the Energy Commission also issued proposed decisions on a variety of solar projects totaling 2800 MW:
- 1,000 MW Blythe Solar Project
- 709 MW Imperial Valley Solar Project
- 250 MW Abengoa Mojave Solar Project
- 250 MW Genesis Solar Project
- 370 MW Ivanpah Solar System Project.
California’s utilities are required to get 20% of their power from renewables by the end of this year. See the Energy Commission press releases on Beacon and Imperial projects, and August 18 edition of EERE Network News.
Speeding Bullet EV from Ohio State Claims World Speed Record
A team led by engineering students from Ohio State University has claimed a world land-speed record for electric vehicles (EVs) after their sleek Venturi Buckeye Bullet 2.5 averaged 307 mph across Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats on August 24.
The lithium-ion battery-powered EV, guided by a professional driver on the 12-mile course, smashed the previous 245 mph world land speed record for EVs set in 1999. The new mark is pending certification by the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the worldwide motor sports governing body.
Under competition rules, the Bullet had to make two speed runs, one each in opposite directions, within 60 minutes. At one point, the EV reached 320 mph. The Bullet 2.5 has the same body and chassis as the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Buckeye Bullet 2, which in 2009 set a FIA-certified world record of 302 mph. The team is supported by French EV manufacturer Venturi Automobiles. See the Ohio State press release and the Bullet Web site.
U.S. Used Less Energy, More Renewables in 2009
The US used significantly more wind power and less fossil fuels in 2009 than in 2008, according to a August 23 report by DOE’s Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL).
Use of solar, hydro, and geothermal also increased while natural gas declined.
2009 estimated U.S. energy use equaled 94.6 quadrillion Btu ("quads"), down from 99.2 quads in 2008. The average American household uses about 95 million Btu a year.
Wind power increased to .70 quads of primary energy in 2009 compared to .51 quads in 2008, most of which was tied directly to electricity generation, helping decrease coal-fired electricity production. See the LLNL press release and annotated report (PDF 853 KB).
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EREE Network News is a weekly publication of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
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