EERE Network News
March 31, 2004
News and Events
DOE Partnerships to Develop Wind Turbines for Low Wind Speeds
DOE intends to help tap the large untapped potential of areas with low wind speeds through 21 new partnerships with public and private entitites. DOE expects the total investment in the partnerships to total $60 million over the next four years.
DOE and Ford Motor Company Host the SUVs of the Future
An event in Washington, D.C., on March 24th featured seven of the entries to this year's FutureTruck competition, in which 15 teams of university engineering students reengineer Ford Explorers to achieve lower emissions and 25 percent increase in fuel economy. The competition will conclude in June.
Minnesota and Wisconsin Seek 300 Megawatts of Renewable Power
New renewable energy projects will soon be underway in the Midwest if two utilities carry through on their plans. Minnesota's Great River Energy is requesting bids for 200 megawatts of renewable energy, and Wisconsin Power and Light is requesting bids for 100 megawatts of wind power.
Arizona Utility Builds a 1-Megawatt Solar Trough Plant
Arizona's first commercial solar trough power plant, and the first to be built in the United States in about 15 years, is now under construction by APS. The 1-megawatt power plant will concentrating and capture the sun's heat in order to convert it into electricity.
Utah Power Installs Innovative Battery Energy Storage System
Castle Valley, Utah, is now home to the first vanadium-based battery energy storage system in the United States. Utah Power and VRB Power Systems installed the pilot system. It follows on the heels of the largest battery energy storage system in the world, completed in Alaska in January.
Two Companies Break Records with New Superconducting Wires
American Superconductor Corporation and SuperPower Inc. are pushing second-generation high-temperature superconductor (HTS) wires to new extremes. The wires promise significant gains in energy efficiency for electrical power lines and electrical machinery.
Energy Connections
Future Uncertain for Natural Gas as Two LNG Projects Cancelled
Plans to construct two terminals for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) were recently abandoned due to local opposition, adding uncertainty to the future of natural gas imports. The construction of a natural gas pipeline from Alaska is also uncertain, as one of the key players has bowed out.
