EREN Network News

December 8, 1999

News and Events

• White House Energy Improvements Saving $300,000 Annually
• U.S. Companies Join White House in Energy-Saving Promotions
• Tennessee Valley Authority Plans Green Power Program
• Fuel Cell Companies Unveil Future Models
• DaimlerChrysler NECAR 4 Wins Best of What's New Award
• Micro-Fuel Cell Wins Technology Award

Site News

• European Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ENGVA)
• DOE Geothermal Energy Program Web Site Redesigned

• What Ever Happened to OPEC?

About this Newsletter

News and Events

White House Energy Improvements Saving $300,000 Annually
DOE announced last week that a six-year project to install energy efficiency technologies in the White House complex is now saving taxpayers $300,000 per year in energy bills. The project used only off-the-shelf products, such as Energy Star lights and office equipment, so the improvements serve as an example of what people throughout the country could be doing in their own homes. For more information, see the DOE press release.

The media coverage of the announcement included a CBS Early Show report by Bob Vila, in which White House Chief of Staff John Podesta gave a tour of the White House, and President Clinton spoke briefly about the need to save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The report is available as a streaming video on the CBS Web site.

U.S. Companies Join White House in Energy-Saving Promotions
In conjunction with the DOE announcement, the White House announced that six major U.S. companies — Best Buy, Home Depot, Maytag, Philips Lighting Company North America, Sears, and Whirlpool — will provide a series of consumer incentives to help promote the use of energy- efficient products in U.S. homes. For instance, Sears, Roebuck and Co. announced enhanced lines of energy- efficient heating and cooling products, and Whirlpool Corporation announced plans to introduce a new energy- efficient refrigerator.

See the Sears press release.

See the Whirlpool press release under Whirlpool News.

In related news, the International Energy Agency presented Ricoh with the first "Copier of the Future" award, for a planned copier that will use only 10 watts of electricity in standby mode. The announcement is posted on the Energy Star Web site. The Web site also features the latest Energy Star Public Service Announcement (PSA), which dramatically demonstrates the connection between electricity use and pollution. See the Energy Star Web site.

Tennessee Valley Authority Plans Green Power Program
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is planning to offer its customers the choice of buying power from renewable energy sources, starting in spring 2000. TVA is preparing by holding public meetings in Tennessee and Mississippi. For more information, see the TVA press release.

In related green power news, the Texas-New Mexico Power Company (TNMP); Cielo Power Market, LP; and Big Wind, LP announced last week finalized contracts that will let TNMP offer green power from a wind power project in West Texas. The wind project is planned to be located near Fort Stockton, Texas. For more information, see the TNMP press release.

Fuel Cell Companies Unveil Future Models
The race is on to develop a commercial fuel cell system appropriate for home or commercial use. Last week, NiSource, Inc. and the Institute of Gas Technology demonstrated a fuel cell system powered by natural gas that will produce electricity and thermal energy for heating, air conditioning and hot water in homes and small businesses. It is expected to be available to consumers by the end of 2001. See the press release on the NiSource Web site.

A day after the NiSource demonstration, Northwest Power Systems (NPS) unveiled a pre-commercial fuel cell system, fueled with methanol, that produces up to 3 kilowatts of electricity. For further information, see the Press Release section of the NPS Web site.

Also last week, the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC) announced a $7 million project to demonstrate and evaluate fuel cells. HARC will team with Dana Corporation, Texaco, Southern Company, and the Salt River Project. For more information, see the HARC press release.

In related news, Fuel Cells 2000, a non-profit organization that promotes fuel cells, has just updated its Fuel Cell Directory, which features nearly 700 listings of fuel cell manufacturers, researchers and consultants, suppliers to the fuel cell industry, utilities, associations and interested government agencies around the world. See the Fuel Cells 2000 Web site.

DaimlerChrysler NECAR 4 Wins Best of What's New Award
The NECAR 4, the latest prototype fuel-cell-powered car by DaimlerChrysler, has won Popular Science Magazine's 1999 Best of What's New Grand Prize for automobile technology. However, the People's Choice Award is still up for grabs; votes are tallied online on the Best of What's New Web site.

Micro-Fuel Cell Wins Technology Award
Manhattan Scientifics, Inc. announced yesterday that it has received INDUSTRYWEEK Magazine's 1999 Technology and Innovations Award for its methanol-powered micro- fuel cell. The miniature fuel cells are intended to serve as long-lived replacements for batteries in portable electronic devices such as cellular phones. A prototype recently passed a trial test, powering a cellular phone for 24 hours. For more information, see the Manhattan Scientifics Web site.

Site News

European Natural Gas Vehicle Association (ENGVA)
ENGVA's mission is to develop a sustainable and profitable market for natural gas vehicles (NGVs) throughout Europe. The site answers commonly asked questions about NGVs, natural gas as a fuel, and emissions issues. In addition, the site provides information on the European community's current NGV programs and discusses the development of a European alternative fuels policy and other political issues. The site also hosts an upcoming NGV calendar of events.

For this and other recent additions see the EREN Web site.

DOE Geothermal Energy Program Web Site Redesigned
The DOE Geothermal Energy Program Web site on EREN has been given a whole new look, with expanded and revised content throughout. The engaging design of the Web site guides you through in-depth information about geothermal technologies, the DOE program, other Web resources, and current events.

Energy Facts and Tips

What Ever Happened to OPEC?
The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) made big news in the United States in 1973 with its oil embargo. The event not only brought energy efficiency to the attention of the U.S. public, but also made OPEC a household word. Although OPEC wields less power today, the 11 member countries still produce nearly 40 percent of the world's oil supply, according to DOE's Energy Information Administration. For the latest on OPEC, see EIA's OPEC fact sheet. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/opec.html

About this Newsletter

To subscribe to this newsletter, please go to the Web page http://www.eren.doe.gov/newsletter/subscribe/.

The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN) home page is located at http://www.eren.doe.gov/.

Please contact webmaster_eere@nrel.gov if you have questions or comments about the EREN Web site.

If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, please contact the editor.