EERE Network News
August 25, 2004
News and Events
California Plans to Install Solar Power on One Million Homes
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled a plan on August 20th to install solar power systems on one million homes by 2017. To help meet the goal, as of 2008, builders of subdivisions with 25 new houses or more will have to offer solar power systems as an option.
PowerLight Continues to Install Large Solar Power Systems
PowerLight Corporation helped dedicated a 457-kilowatt solar power system at a California winery on August 10th. The company is also helping to build the world's largest photovoltaic installation, a 10-megawatt system, in the German state of Bavaria.
Wave Energy Device Provides Power to U.K. Grid
Ocean Power Delivery has installed its Pelamis wave energy converter at the new European Marine Energy Center, located on the northern Scotland island of Orkney. The 750-kilowatt full-scale Pelamis prototype has been feeding power into the U.K. power grid since August 15th.
GM Provides Hybrid Vehicles to the Republican National Convention
General Motors Corporation will provide a fleet of hybrid- electric buses, hybrid pickup trucks, and several other highly efficient vehicles to support the 2004 Republican National Convention, which begins on August 30th. GM provided similar support to the Democratic National Convention in July.
Northwest Alliance Devotes $14 Million to Energy Efficiency
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance is planning to spend $11 million over the next four years to improve energy efficiency in industries throughout the region. The Alliance will also spend $2.2 million on energy efficiency information projects and $925,000 on energy-efficient power supplies.
Site News
Building Technologies Program Constructs a New Web Site
DOE's Building Technologies Program has fashioned together a new Web site that provides easy access to information about the program's research and regulatory activities. All 11 energy program Web sites in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy now incorporate the same design.
Energy Connections
EIA: U.S. Renewable Energy Use Up 3 Percent in 2003
The latest compilation of renewable energy trends from DOE's Energy Information Administration (EIA) finds that renewable energy use increased by 3 percent in 2003, with most of the increase split between an increase in hydropower production and in biomass energy use.
