EERE Network News
October 26, 2005
News and Events
Voluntary Green Power Purchases Increased Tenfold in 5 Years
Supporting renewable energy by purchasing green power is popular with both individuals and businesses, causing a tenfold growth in green power purchases over the last five years. Green power purchases now support new renewable energy projects totaling 2,200 megawatts in capacity.
DOE Issues New Efficiency Standards for Appliances and Equipment
DOE has published a final rule setting new energy efficiency standards for 15 types of residential appliances and commercial equipment. Seven of the new standards apply in some way to various types of lighting equipment.
DOE-Funded Researchers Win 29 "R&D 100" Awards
While 29 of the prestigious "R&D 100" awards went to DOE projects this year, only seven of the awards related involved energy efficiency and renewable energy. Those awards related to solar power, building efficiency, ethanol production, hydrogen production, lithium batteries, and micro-fuel cells.
Wind Projects in California and Washington to Exceed 200 Megawatts
While a flurry of wind projects are proceeding apace throughout the United States, two upcoming projects stand out for their sheer size: the 205.5-megawatt Pacific Wind Project in southern California and the 229-megawatt Wild Horse Wind Power Project in Washington State.
New York City Orders 500 Hybrid Buses and Allows Hybrid Taxis
The next time you hail a cab in New York City, you could be riding in a hybrid vehicle, since hybrids just earned approval to serve as taxicabs in the city. And with 500 hybrid buses coming to the city soon, the odds are good that if you skip the taxi and catch a bus, you'll still be riding a hybrid.
Tokyo Auto Show Features Hybrid and Fuel Cell Concept Vehicles
The Japanese rolled out plenty of concept hybrids at the Tokyo Auto Show, but the real innovation was displayed in their fuel cell vehicles. The vehicles pointed toward the future with in-wheel motors; compact, freeze-resistant fuel cell stacks; by-wire technology; and advanced hydrogen storage.
Energy Connections
New Transmission Line Projects Could Benefit Wind Power
Proposed new transmission lines in the West could help bring wind power from Wyoming and South Dakota to population centers in Arizona, Colorado, and Minnesota. The federal government is trying to help this process along by designating "energy corridors" on western public lands.
