EERE Network News
January 20, 2010
News and Events
DOE to Award Nearly $80 Million for Biofuels Research and Infrastructure
DOE will award nearly $78 million in Recovery Act funds to two groups that will develop biofuels that can be "dropped in" to the existing fuel infrastructure, with one group focusing on algal biofuels. DOE will also award $1.6 million to expand the infrastructure for ethanol-rich fuel in nine states.
DOE to Award $37 Million to 17 Solid-State Lighting Projects
DOE is awarding $37 million in Recovery Act funding to 17 high-efficiency solid-state lighting projects. The grants will support research, development, and manufacturing of solid-state technologies to increase the use of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).
GM Builds its First Lithium-Ion Battery Pack for the Chevrolet Volt
General Motors Corporation (GM) has manufactured the first battery pack for its Chevy Volt in Michigan, marking a milestone on the path to production of the extended-range electric vehicle later this year. Ford Motor Company is also planning to manufacture electric vehicles in Michigan.
Honda and Toyota Unveil New Hybrids at the Detroit Auto Show
Honda and Toyota unveiled new dedicated hybrid vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The car show also features the latest in electrified vehicles, including new entries from BYD Auto, BMW, Cadillac, Volvo, and Volkswagen.
Automotive X Prize to Hold its Competitive Events in Michigan
The Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize will host a series of competitions in Michigan this year to determine the winners of a $10 million purse for super fuel-efficient vehicles. A combination of on-track stages and lab tests will lead to a September awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Eleven Governors Commit to a Regional Low-Carbon Fuel Standard
Governors of 11 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states have signed an agreement to develop a regional low-carbon fuel standard. The standard would follow the example of a similar standard adopted by California, which went into effect on January 12.
Energy Connections
Global Temperatures in 2009 Tied with 2006 as Fifth Warmest on Record
The National Climatic Data Center has proclaimed 2009 to be the fifth warmest year on record, in a statistical tie with 2006. But perhaps more significant is the finding that the decade of 2000 through 2009 was the warmest on record, landing well above the average global surface temperature in the 1990s.
