EERE Network News
July 26, 2006
News and Events
Company Plans to Build Cellulosic Ethanol Plant in Georgia
By this time next year, a factory in Augusta, Georgia, could be producing 50 million gallons of ethanol per year from local forest products. Xethanol Corporation is in the process of buying a defunct manufacturing facility from Pfizer and has lined up two companies to help build the ethanol facility.
BP and GE Plan to Build Up to 15 Hydrogen Power Plants by 2016
While BP has previously announced plans to build hydrogen-fueled power plants in Scotland and California, a new BP agreement with the General Electric Corporation could lead to 10 to 15 hydrogen power plants within the next ten years.
Interior Department Proposes New Rules to Advance Geothermal Energy
New rules proposed by the U.S. Department of Interior will require more competitive leasing of public lands to geothermal power developers and will simplify the royalty payments made on geothermal energy use. Public comments on the rules are due by September 19th.
Solar-Powered Vehicles Take to the Racetrack and the Water
A high school team from Houston, Mississippi, has won a solar car race in Texas, while a team from TU Delft has won a six-day solar boat race in the Netherlands. The lightweight, aerodynamic principles used in solar racing also helped an athlete set two world records for human-powered travel.
Toyota to Pursue Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles and Consider Flex-Fuel Vehicles
Since a number of private efforts have converted Toyota Prius hybrids into plug-in hybrid vehicles, capable of traveling up to 60 miles on battery charge alone, it makes sense that Toyota is also pursuing the technology commercially. The company is also considering selling flex-fuel vehicles.
DOE Selects 26 Universities to Operate Industrial Assessment Centers
Twenty-six universities in the United States will run Industrial Assessment Centers and provide energy efficiency assistance to small- and medium-sized manufacturing plants while training the next generation of engineers in energy efficient manufacturing practices.
Energy Connections
Record Power Demand Sweeps the United States
Seven regional power grids stretching from California to New England all experienced record power demands in late July. While most of the power grid operators made it through the hot weather without incident, the California grid operator had to declare a Stage Two emergency on July 24th.
