EERE Network News
June 21, 2006
News and Events
BP Commits $500 Million Over 10 Years to Support Biofuels
BP plans to partner with a leading university to form the BP Energy Biosciences Institute, which will initially perform research for biofuels. While making a substantial investment in research, BP has also launched a biofuels business and is working with DuPont to produce a fuel additive from sugar.
Louisiana Passes a Renewable Fuel Requirement
Louisiana has passed a bill that will require biofuels to make up 2 percent of the fuel supply once the in-state production reaches a minimum capacity. The bill should encourage producers to build facilities within the state to produce ethanol, biodiesel, and possibly other biofuels.
California Lays Down the Welcome Mat for Renewable Energy Projects
While renewable power producers in southern California have negotiated long-term, stable prices for their power, both the California Public Utility Commission and the California power grid operator are trying to make it easier to bring renewable power supplies to market.
Idaho Power Seeks 100 Megawatts of Geothermal Power
For a utility that operates in two states with absolutely no geothermal power plants, Idaho Power is thinking big by requesting 100 megawatts of new geothermal power. To keep it real, Idaho Power is allowing the plants to be located anywhere, but their power must be transmitted to the utility.
Researcher Wins Major Technical Prize for His Work on LEDs
The existence of green LEDs (light-emitting diodes) for traffic lights and white LEDs for general illumination stems from the groundbreaking work of one researcher at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Professor Shuji Nakamura has won a $1.25 million prize in recognition of his achievements.
Canadian Team Achieves 3,415 mpg in Supermileage Competition
After losing last year to a high school team, the University of British Columbia blew away the competition at this year's Supermileage competition. By tweaking its previous design, the team managed to double its fuel economy, achieving a whopping 3,415 miles per gallon (mpg) on a racetrack.
Site News
DOE Welcomes Your Digital Photos for Energy Star Mosaic Poster
DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is preparing to make a poster for Energy Awareness Month, and the office wants your help. The poster will be a mosaic of hundreds of digital images of people who save energy, so if you know an energy champion, go get your camera!
Energy Connections
EIA Forecasts Large Growth in World Energy Demand through 2030
Over the next 24 years, the world's use of energy is projected to grow 71 percent, while petroleum consumption increases 47 percent to 118 milllion barrel per day, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Developing countries will drive most of the growth in world energy use.
