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DOE Updates Industrial Technologies Program Website

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has updated its Industrial Technologies Program website. One of the 11 energy programs in the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the Industrial Technologies Program has revamped its website to provide simple access to information about the program and the latest news about the program.

The Industrial Technologies Program partners with U.S. industry to improve industrial energy efficiency and environmental performance. Its primary research and development activities are divided into industry-specific activities aimed at the most energy-intensive industries, and crosscutting technologies that can benefit a large number of industries. The program also offers technical assistance to industries to help them save energy. Check out the website's new look at www.eere.energy.gov/industry.

A transition to hydrogen as a major fuel in the next 50 years could significantly change the U.S. energy economy, reducing air emissions and expanding domestic energy resources, but technical, economic and infrastructure barriers need to be overcome, according to "The Hydrogen Economy: Opportunities, Costs, Barriers and R&D Needs," a new report from the National Academies' National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council released earlier this month. (DOE requested the NRC study.) In the best case scenario, the transition to a hydrogen economy would take many decades, and any reductions in oil imports and carbon dioxide emissions are likely to be minor during the next 25 years, said the committee that wrote the report.

"Our study suggests that while hydrogen is a potential long-term energy approach for the nation, the government should keep a balanced portfolio of research and development efforts to enhance U.S. energy efficiency and develop alternative energy sources," said committee chair Michael Ramage, retired executive vice president at ExxonMobil Research and Engineering.

In last year's State of the Union address, President Bush announced a $1.2 billion hydrogen fuel initiative which, combined with the existing FreedomCAR (Cooperative Automotive Research) initiative at the U.S. Department of Energy, aims to make it practical and cost-effective to use clean, hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2020. But the new initiative has technological and economic challenges to overcome, and concerns about cost, environmental impact and safety need to be addressed, the committee said.

The report points out that 10 percent of the natural gas used in the U.S. today is imported and that significantly more will be in the future. Thus, while the most cost-effective source of hydrogen for the long run is probably natural gas, its long-term use as a source of hydrogen would not increase U.S. energy independence, the report says.

Fuel cells, which are devices that combine hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, are one of the most promising power sources for clean, hydrogen-fueled transportation, but their cost must be significantly reduced and their reliability should be increased, the report points out. In addition, because hydrogen is flammable and explosive, safer systems for transporting, storing and handling it also must be developed, the report adds. Although hydrogen is professionally managed and used safely in industrial settings, the widespread use of hydrogen in a consumer setting will require the creation of new systems to ensure safety.

The report also indicates that the DOE Hydrogen program is probably under-funded, "particularly because a significant fraction of appropriated funds is already earmarked (by Congress)." According to DOE, of the $78 million appropriated to hydrogen in fiscal year 2004, more than $37 million was earmarked for congressionally directed projects. To find out more, visit http://national-academies.org.

Twelve States Band Together to Create the Clean Energy States Alliance

Seventeen "clean energy" public funds from 12 states across the country have joined forces to promote clean energy projects and companies through a new non-profit organization called the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA). CESA expects the clean energy funds from the 12 states—California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Wisconsin—to total $3.5 billion over the next decade.

CESA plans to launch joint initiatives to promote solar energy, fuel cells, wind power and other clean energy technologies, combining the power of its members to achieve more effective strategies while reducing the costs of individual state programs. In addition, CESA collects and disseminates information and analysis, conducts original research and helps to coordinate activities of the state funds. CESA and its related projects are funded by its member organizations, with additional support from the Energy Foundation, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Surdna Foundation, Oak Foundation and the John Merck Fund. For additional information, visit www.cleanenergystates.org.

Los Angeles Audubon Center Receives Highest "Green Building" Honor

The National Audubon Society recently had its Audubon Center at Debs Park in Los Angeles certified as the nation's most environmentally friendly building. The Audubon Center received a Platinum Rating—the highest possible—from the U.S. Green Building Council, the nation's leading authority on sustainable building practices.

The Audubon Center at Debs Park is the first building in the nation to receive the Platinum Rating under the Council's new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System 2.1. The design of the Audubon Center at Debs Park focuses on renewable energy sources, water conservation, recycled building materials and native landscaping. The 5,023-square-foot building is the first in the city of Los Angeles to be entirely powered by on-site solar systems—functioning entirely "off the grid." The building also uses significantly less water than a conventional building of its size.

In order to meet the requirements for the Platinum Rating, a building must earn a minimum of 52 sustainability points out of an available 69. Points are awarded for everything from site selection and materials used, to innovative design and indoor environmental quality. The Audubon Center at Debs Park earned 53 LEED points, garnering particularly high marks for its efficient water system and renewable energy sources.

Recycled materials were used wherever possible, including melted-down handguns and scrap metal in the rebar that strengthens the center's concrete blocks and floors. In addition, the use of organic materials is demonstrated in everything from the carpeting of Mexican agave plant, to wheat board and sunflower board cabinets and desks. The LEED program also stresses the importance of using locally harvested and manufactured materials, including wood, landscape plantings, sheet metal, concrete and paving materials. More than 25 percent of the building materials used in the Audubon Center were locally harvested, and more than 50 percent of the materials were locally manufactured—in both cases an amount 2.5 times that required to achieve LEED credits.

National School Boards Association Endorses DOE's EnergySmart Schools

The Board of Directors of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) has unanimously endorsed the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) EnergySmart Schools (ESS) program. DOE is the first Federal Agency to receive this official endorsement. ESS focuses on saving money for the country's schools through reduced energy consumption and creating a healthier and more learner-friendly classroom environment. 

About 25 percent of the energy used in a typical school is wasted because of energy inefficiency in its systems and operations, according to DOE. In a typical school district of 3,000 students, this amounts to $100,000 annually wasted. More than $6 billion in energy is being used in U.S. schools annually, with approximately $1.5 billion (25 percent) wasted due to energy inefficiency. 

The EnergySmart Schools program also contributes educational materials that allow students to learn about energy efficiency and renewable energy. In addition, the NSBA endorsement reflects EnergySmart Schools' production of "Energy Design Guidelines for High Performance Schools," a seven-book series of guidelines tailored to specific climate zones. For more information, visit www.rebuild.org/sectors/ess/index.asp.

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