Renewable Energy Getting the Recognition It Deserves

Here at RenewableEnergyWorld.com we're deeply involved in the daily goings on in the renewable energy space. We know where the newest and coolest projects are being developed and we try to do our best to bring you news about those projects, the policies that support them and funding that brings them to fruition.

When news about projects like these appears in the mainstream media however there are always the naysayers, those on the comment boards or even those quoted in stories who have doubts about renewable energy and the large role that it can play in our energy mix.

In the last few weeks however, new renewable technologies have gotten some mainstream recognition in the form of awards.

First, 100% renewable jet fuel developed by the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has won the Best of What’s New Award from Popular Science Magazine in the aviation and space category.

The EERC’s fuel was created from completely renewable crop oils, such as canola and soybeans. Developed through a variety of existing contracts, the fuel was tested at the Wright–Patterson Air Force Base Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and meets all of the screening criteria for jet propellent-8 (JP-8) aviation fuel, a petroleum-based fuel widely used by the U.S. military.

In July 2009, the EERC’s renewable JP-8 was also successfully flown in a rocket in the Mojave Desert, outside of San Diego, California. The fuel burn was so successful that the rocket approached Mach 1 and reached an altitude of about 20,000 feet.

Second, the Dow Chemical Company's Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle a flexible photovoltaic solar cell packaged in the form of a roofing shingle that can be easily integrated with standard asphalt shingle materials, has been named one of "The 50 Best Inventions of 2009" by Time Magazine.

The Solar Shingle integrates thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells into a proprietary roofing shingle design, which represents a multi-functional solar energy generating roofing product. Solar Shingle systems are expected to be available in limited quantities by mid-2010 and projected to be more widely available in 2011.

But while the mainstream media is focusing on products that aren't even on the market yet, we want to hear for you, our loyal readers about what is working on the ground today.

We're looking for nominations for our Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards, which will be handed out at Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America in Austin in February. We're looking for utility, distributed and building integrated projects and programs that are pushing the boundaries with their technologies, finance mechanisms and more. We also want to know who you think the leaders in our industry are.

Nominate your favorite projects and people today by visiting http://awards.renewableenergyworld.com. And be sure to join us in Austin, Texas for the event in February.