EERE Network News
July 30, 2008
News and Events
DOE Unveils Initiative to Promote Energy Efficiency in Hospitals
DOE launched the EnergySmart Hospitals initiative on July 23, with the aim to increase the use of energy efficiency technologies in hospitals across the United States by providing design strategies, advanced energy design guides, technology assessments, case studies, training sessions, and an interactive Web site to help hospitals increase their energy efficiency.
Clean Energy Partnership Launched for Island Nations
The new International Partnership for Energy Development in Island Nations will further the development of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in island nations and territories. The United States and New Zealand launched the partnership and will invite other island nations to join.
Companies and Utilities to Launch Algae Farm in Hawaii
A power plant on Maui may have a chance to lower its carbon dioxide emissions if a planned project to build an adjacent algae farm pans out. HR BioPetroleum is operating a pilot-scale algae facility on the Big Island of Hawaii and plans to build its commercial-scale facility on Maui by 2011.
Report: California Utilities Lead the Nation in Solar Energy
The latest report from the Solar Electric Power Association finds that California utilities lead the nation in installed solar power capacity and in solar capacity per customer, but the growth of solar power in other states may soon threaten California's leadership.
Ford Shifts Towards Smaller, More Fuel-Efficient Cars
Ford Motor Company plans to convert three of its truck and SUV plants, including plants in Michigan and Kentucky, to produce small cars instead. The company will also introduce six of its European small vehicles to the North American market, including the new fuel-efficient Ford Fiesta.
University of Michigan Wins the North American Solar Challenge
For the second time in a row, the University of Michigan has won the North American Solar Challenge, which ran from Plano, Texas, to Calgary, Alberta. But that team has nothing on the team from Houston, Mississippi, which has won a solar race for high school teams for the eighth consecutive time.
Energy Connections
U.S. Agencies Look to Oil Shale and the Arctic for Petroleum
The tight global supplies for oil are causing the United States to examine new sources of petroleum, including Western oil shales and oil reserves in the Arctic. Western oil shales could potentially supply U.S. petroleum needs for the next century, but undiscovered Arctic oil supplies appear more limited.
