EERE Network News
April 16, 2008
News and Events
DOE Offers Up to $4 Million for Biomass to Biofuel Research
DOE released a solicitation on April 10 that will fund up to $4 million in university research into cost-effective, environmentally friendly ways to convert biomass into biofuels, lower production costs, and increase yields and productivity.
Oil Companies, Universities Investigate Alternate Paths to Biofuels
While BP and DuPont are developing a biobased gasoline additive that could perform better than ethanol, Shell and Virent Energy Systems are converting plant sugars directly into a synthetic gasoline. Two universities are using a similar approach to generate biobased gasoline and jet fuel.
Vehicle Built by High School Achieves 2,843.4 Miles per Gallon
A team from Mater Dei High School of Evansville, Indiana, bested 23 university teams and three other high-school teams in the annual Shell Eco-marathon Americas. But the event is still overshadowed by the Shell Eco-marathon Europe, which drew more than 300 applicants this year.
Boeing Flies First Fuel-Cell-Powered Manned Aircraft
While Boeing doesn't expect to scale up its two-seat fuel-cell-powered aircraft to commercial airliners, it is planning to test biofuels in a 737 next year. Meanwhile, high fuel prices are forcing airlines to become more fuel efficient and are attracting new players to the aircraft industry.
Labor and Environmental Groups Launch a Green Jobs Campaign
The new Green Jobs for America campaign will highlight the potential to create more than 820,000 new jobs throughout the United States through a greater commitment to renewable energy. The campaign was launched by the United Steelworkers and two environmental groups.
First Large Building-Integrated Wind Turbines Spin in Bahrain
The world's first integration of utility-scale wind turbines into a building achieved a milestone recently, as the three turbines mounted on the Bahrain World Trade Center spun in unison for the first time. In contrast, a Boston airport is using much smaller turbines on the roof of one of its buildings.
Energy Connections
Two Proposals Aim to Pipe Natural Gas from Alaska
The State of Alaska announced in January that only one proposal met its requirement for an Alaska natural gas pipeline. TransCanada submitted that proposal, but it now faces a competing proposal from BP and ConocoPhilips. The latter companies have chosen to forgo state funding.
