EERE Network News
June 13, 2007
News and Events
G8 Leaders Agree to Set New Global Greenhouse Gas Goals
The United States joined with the seven other leading industrialized nations in early June to commit to set new global goals for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases. The Group of Eight nations, or G8, intend to develop a comprehensive agreement that would take effect after 2012.
DOE and USDA Award $8.3 Million for Biofuels Research
DOE and USDA are providing $8.3 million for 11 projects focusing on biobased fuels research. The projects will research biomass genomics to accelerate the use of woody plant tissue to develop alternative fuels.
DOE and USDA Offer $18 Million for Biomass Research
DOE and USDA are offering $18 million for biomass research and development projects. The solicitation will support projects aimed at improving biobased products, biofuels, bioenergy, and related processes.
Largest Solar Thermal Plant in 16 Years Now Online
A 64-megawatt solar thermal plant in Nevada is now online and is the largest plant of its type to be built in the last 16 years. While the Nevada plant employs parabolic trough technology to collect the sun's heat, a new power plant in Spain is the first commercial use of solar power towers.
Shuttle Visit Adds More Solar Power to the Space Station
The latest space shuttle mission, STS-117, added another 66 kilowatts of solar power to the International Space Station on June 12th. But to allow those solar panels to rotate freely while tracking the sun, the shuttle astronauts will start working to retract an older solar array starting on June 13th.
DOE and Manufacturers Group to Boost Industrial Energy Efficiency
DOE and the National Association of Manufacturers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining their efforts to improve the energy efficiency of industrial facilities. The two will share their expertise and provide resources to help companies save energy.
Energy Connections
Browns Ferry 1 is First "New" Nuclear Reactor in 11 Years
May 22nd marked the first startup of an essentially new nuclear reactor in the United States in more than a decade. After extensive refurbishments, the Tennessee Valley Authority has restarted Browns Ferry Unit 1, which was shut down in 1985.
