ASERTTI News

SAVE THE DATE: ASERTTI Fall 2010 Meeting, October 4-7, 2010

Please mark your calendars for the fall 2010 ASERTTI meeting, which will be held October 4-7 in Long Island, New York.  This year's meeting will be hosted by Brookhaven National Laboratory.  More information regarding the agenda and registration will be coming soon.  Please continue to check the ASERTTI website for the latest updates. 

DOE Announces Funding for Research and Development to Support U.S. Manufacturing of High-Efficiency Solid-State Lighting

As part of the ongoing effort to reduce national energy consumption through high-efficiency building technologies, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the availability of up to $15 million in funding to advance research, development, and market adoption of Solid-State Lighting (SSL) technologies. The department will select two to eight projects that will help accelerate the adoption of high-quality Light Emitting Diode (LED) and Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) products, which have the potential to significantly reduce energy use and limit carbon emissions.  Please click here for more information about the funding opportunity announcement.  The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is also intended to further develop U.S. technological innovations, expertise, and the manufacturing base necessary to lead the world in SSL deployment. The funding will expand DOE's existing research and development efforts to improve SSL manufacturing in the U.S., which will enhance the quality and reduce the cost of SSL products. This will be the second round of funding awarded since 2009.  For more information about the FOA, please click here.

DOE Breaks Down Market Barriers with Online Technology Commercialization Portal

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the launch of the Technology Commercialization Portal -- an online resource that will serve as a tool for potential investors to identify opportunities to invest in work being conducted by DOE laboratories and participating research institutions. Traditionally, investors, entrepreneurs, and companies have faced substantial barriers when identifying clean energy technologies to license. The Technology Commercialization Portal will help reduce these barriers to investment providing capital markets with key information on the attributes, uses, benefits, and market-readiness of specific energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.  Please click here for the full story and a link to the Technology Commercialization Portal. 

DOE Announces $24 Million for Algal Biofuels Research

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced the investment of up to $24 million for three research groups to tackle key hurdles in the commercialization of algae-based biofuels. The selections will support the development of a clean, sustainable transportation sector - a goal of the Department's continued effort to spur the creation of the domestic bio-industry while creating jobs. Developing cost-effective renewable transportation fuels is a key component of the Administration's strategy to cut greenhouse gas emissions and move the Nation toward energy independence. The consortia consist of partners from academia, national laboratories, and private industries that are based across the country, broadening the geographic range and technical expertise of DOE partners in the area of algal biofuels. Projects are expected to continue for a period of three years.  Together, they represent a diversified portfolio that will help accelerate algal biofuels development with the objective of significantly increasing production of affordable, high-quality algal biofuels that are environmentally and economically sustainable.  For more information about the three consortia selected, please click here for the full story.

DOI and DOE Sign MOU to Spur Offshore Renewable Energy Projects

The Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy recently announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will strengthen the working relationship between the two agencies on the future development of commercial renewable offshore energy projects on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).  Together, DOI and DOE will use this agreement to spur the development of future commercial-scale offshore wind and water energy projects. The two agencies will exchange information on resources and technologies, conduct stakeholder engagements, and collaborate on research projects. These activities will augment the scientific and technical exchanges that already occur between the two Departments.  Please click here for more information on the MOU. 

Contract Awarded for Construction of Facility Dedicated to Energy Research

ASERTTI member, the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory, has awarded a contract to a general contractor for the construction of a new $66.8 million Interdisciplinary Science Building (ISB), a state-of-the-art facility that will bring together scientists focused on the nation's most pressing challenge of the 21st century -- energy. E.W. Howell, based in Plainview, NY, has been chosen to build the 87,000 gross-square-foot, 2-story building.  The company estimates that the project will provide jobs for 290-320 Long Islanders. Additionally, it estimates that about 90 percent of the $46 million construction cost will be spent directly with Long Island contractors and suppliers.  "The award of this contract marks a significant milestone in our effort to consolidate our considerable expertise in energy-related research with the goal of finding sustainable solutions for meeting our nation's growing energy needs," said Doon Gibbs, Deputy Director for Science and Technology at Brookhaven Lab.  For the full story, please click here.

LIPA, Piece Management Inc., and EmPower Solar Install 117kW of Solar Panels at New Hyde Park Facility

Armed with a commitment to energy efficiency, clean renewable energy, and environmental responsibility, Piece Management Inc. (PMI) has partnered with ASERTTI member, the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), and EmPower Solar as the contractor to complete a 117kW solar panel installation on its New Hyde Park facility, which over the course of a year will help reduce CO2 emissions by over 92 tons. The solar installation was made possible through LIPA's Solar Entrepreneur program and is the largest commercial system to be installed since the program's inception. The new PV system will reduce PMI's electric bill by 75 percent annually while continuing to reap significant environmental benefits which equal planting 2,200 trees or removing 17 cars from our local roads annually.  Please click here for the full story. 

SMUD Offers Rebates for "Wet" Cleaning

ASERTTI member, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), is offering help to local dry-cleaning businesses to convert to a new water-based process that uses computer-controlled washers and dryers and specially designed biodegradable, non-toxic, environmentally friendly detergents to clean sensitive and delicate garments. The process also includes specialized finishing equipment to restore shape and form. The equipment is more energy efficient and operating costs are lower with wet cleaning compared to PCE dry cleaning, and the process also uses less water. Cleaners that have switched to professional wet cleaning have been able to process the full range of garments they had previously dry cleaned.  By offering rebates, SMUD hopes more dry-cleaning businesses will consider professional wet cleaning. Monetary grants may also be available through the California Air Resources Board.  Please click here for more information on the rebates for "wet" cleaning.

SAVE THE DATE: NH3 (Ammonia) FUEL: The Key to Energy Independence

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