EERE Network News
September 22, 2004
News and Events
USDA Awards $22.8 Million for Renewable and Efficiency Projects
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in mid- September its selection of 167 renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to receive a total of $22.8 million in competitive grants. The projects include energy efficiency upgrades and wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy.
San Francisco to Include Efficiency and Solar Power in 1,600 Homes
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has approved an agreement with Lennar/BVHP to include energy efficiency measures and solar electric systems in the construction of 1,600 residential housing units, to be located on land that was part of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard.
New Jersey Proposes New Rules for Renewable Energy Systems
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has proposed new rules for connecting renewable energy systems to the electrical grid and selling the power back to the electric utility. The new rules boost the maximum size to 2 megawatts and allow the use of a wide variety of renewable energy systems.
Canadian Solar Car Achieves World-Record Distance
The Midnight Sun team from the University of Waterloo in Canada has unofficially set a distance record for a solar car tour: 9,370 miles over 40 days. The trip across Canada and through much of the United States ended on September 16th.
Honda Delays Release of Accord Hybrid Until December
Those anxious to see the new Honda Accord Hybrid will have to wait until December, as Honda has delayed the launch of the new vehicle. Packed with energy saving features and the latest version of Honda's hybrid electric system, the vehicle will achieve 30 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
Energy Efficiency Yields Big Savings for Mississippi Schools
Recent energy efficiency improvements to 20 schools in the Mississippi's Harrison County School District are expected to yield more than $390,000 in energy savings each year. Thankfully, the schools also managed to dodge any significant damage from Hurricane Ivan as it passed by.
Site News
KidWind Project Explores the Science Behind Wind Power
The KidWind Project is a team of teachers, students, engineers, and practitioners exploring the science behind wind energy in classrooms around the United States. The KidWind Project has a number of workshops planned in the Northeast in October and November 2004.
Energy Connections
Study Finds Vulnerabilities in the U.S. Power Grid
A recent study of the U.S. power grid, conducted by researchers at Penn State and DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory, finds that a major disruption could result from the loss of only two percent of the power grid's electrical substations.
