US Government Continues To Fund Renewable Energy R&D

$52.5 Million for Concentrating Solar Power Research

DOE offered $52.5 million for research, development and demonstration of concentrating solar power (CSP) systems that provide low-cost electrical power both day and night. The new funding will seek to improve energy storage technology and develop novel system designs that will extend operations to a level of production that would make it possible for a CSP plant to displace a traditional coal power plant.

The competitive funding opportunity for up to 13 awards focuses on developing a CSP system capable of operating at least 18 hours per day. It involves two areas: Research and development of concepts and components for such a CSP system; and development of a complete CSP system that can operate into the night, including an evaluation of the system and testing of the components for a future prototype. Applications are due by October 15. S

$13.8 Million to 28 New Wind Energy Projects

DOE selected 28 new wind energy projects to receive up to $13.8 million in funding, tapping $12.8 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. The projects will help address market and deployment challenges, including wind turbine research and testing and efforts to better integrate wind power into the nation's electrical grid.

The 14 wind-turbine research and testing projects include work on improved wind turbine towers, blades, gearboxes, lubricants and generators; advanced manufacturing techniques and technologies for monitoring the performance of operating wind turbines.

The wind integration projects involve analyses of wind measurement and forecasting techniques, energy storage systems and means of integrating wind power into electrical grid operations, including operating techniques, software models, market simulation tools and other strategies and decision support tools. For a complete list of projects, click here.

$21.45 Million for Community Renewable Energy Projects

DOE offered $21.45 million in ARRA funds for up to four U.S. communities to use in planning and installing utility-scale renewable energy projects. The projects will demonstrate how multiple renewable energy technologies can be deployed at scale to supply clean energy to communities. The renewable energy systems may include solar, wind, biomass, landfill gas, geothermal and ocean energy systems, as well as upgrades to existing hydropower systems.

Applicants must provide matching funds and will ideally be ready to implement their projects with readily deployable renewable energy systems. Completed applications are due September 3, and DOE will select the projects by the end of November.

Smart Grids and Statewide Clean Energy Programs

DOE awarded $47 million in ARRA funds to eight ongoing smart grid demonstration projects. The $47 million investment will add to the $17 million in funds DOE had awarded these eight projects in 2008, thereby accelerating the timelines for the projects. Most of the projects relate to technologies to help transmission and distribution systems operate better, but a few are directly related to clean energy.

• Fort Collins, Colorado, will research, develop, and demonstrate a coordinated and integrated system of mixed clean energy technologies and distributed energy resources
• The Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chicago will focus on implementing distributed energy resources and creating demand-responsive microgrids, which are small power networks that can operate independently of the utility power grid.
• The University of Hawaii will explore the management of its electrical distribution system to better accommodate wind power.

DOE also announced that it has begun the development of a Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse, tapping Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University for the $1.3 million initiative to develop and maintain the clearinghouse website, which will provide information to the public about smart grid initiatives happening nationwide. The Smart Grid Information Clearinghouse was mandated by the Recovery Act.

$212 Million for Clean Energy in Ten States and Puerto Rico

DOE awarded $212 million in ARRA funds to Colorado, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin and Puerto Rico to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Under DOE's State Energy Program (SEP), states and territories have proposed statewide plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The funds will support loan, grant and rebate programs; capital financing programs; education and training efforts; energy audits; building retrofits; building energy code upgrades; coupons for purchases of Energy Star appliances; and partial funding for alternative-fueled vehicles and fueling stations.

The funds are part of the Obama Administration's national strategy to support job growth while making a historic down payment on clean energy. The Recovery Act appropriated $3.1 billion to the State Energy Program, giving priority to achieving national goals of energy independence while helping to stimulate local economies. For the 10 states and Puerto Rico, the new funds represent a portion of the State Energy Program funds available to them under the Recovery Act, following an initial 10% of the funds that were awarded to support planning activities.

The remainder of the funds will be released when they meet the reporting, oversight and accountability milestones required by the Recovery Act.

$6.3 million for Biofuels Research

DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced last month their joint selection of awards of up to $6.3 million over three years toward fundamental genomics research, which may lead to the improved use of plant feedstocks for biofuel production. DOE will provide $4 million for four projects, while USDA will award $2.3 million to three projects.

The projects will focus on developing enhanced versions of poplar trees, alfalfa, and grasses, including Miscanthus, switchgrass, Brachypodium distachyon (purple false brome), and sweet sorghum. Awardees are located in five states: California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and Nebraska. The grants will be awarded under a joint DOE-USDA program begun in 2006 that is committed to fundamental research in biomass genomics, providing the scientific foundation to facilitate use of lignocellulosic materials for bioenergy and biofuels.

Ernie Tucker is an NREL staff writer who has worked as a writer and editor in a variety of media, including newspapers, television and online content.