 Conservation Update — May 1999
U.S. Department of Energy Under the Industries of the Future partnership strategy, nine industries (agriculture, aluminum, chemicals, forest products, glass, metalcasting, mining, petroleum refining, and steel) have completed visions describing their goals for the next 20 years as well as "technology roadmaps" outlining the research necessary to achieve those goals. A wide range of projects selected through the competitive solicitation process is addressing the high-priority technology needs identified in these roadmaps and many will provide benefits to other industries as well. The four competitive solicitations being offered by EERE's Office of Industrial Technologies (OIT) seek to boost efficiency by helping industrial partners develop their energy saving ideas. Details on each solicitation follow.
The Inventions and Innovation solicitation has this year doubled the upper level for financial assistance to individual U.S. inventors and small businesses. Successful applicants may now be awarded $40,000 to $200,000 to assist in developing and establishing the technical performance of their innovative ideas (the higher amount going to technologies in the later stages of development). Selected applicants will also receive mentoring and networking support to assist them in developing their ideas, which must show significant potential for industrial energy savings and commercial market success. DOE's Golden Field Office will manage this solicitation. Award selections are expected in mid November.
The Combustion Systems solicitation will award approximately $2.7 million to cost-share the first year of research projects that reflect the characteristics of future combustion systems outlined in the industry's vision and address priority needs established in the Industrial Combustion Technology Roadmap. The roadmap was developed by the combustion community last year, and can be found at www.oit.doe.gov/combustion. DOE anticipates awarding at least one cooperative agreement for research in each of two application areas: higher efficiency integrated boiler systems and higher-efficiency integrated process heater systems. This combustion solicitation (No. DE-PS07-99ID13788) will be managed by the Idaho Operations Office and may be found at that Web site at www.id.doe.gov/doeid/PSD/proc-div.html.
The Sensors and Controls solicitation, which is expected to open by June 18, will provide $1 million for up to four cost-shared research projects. The solicitation will target one-to-three-year projects that address specific, yet-to-be-determined areas of sensor and control research identified as priority needs in the eight completed industry roadmaps. Proposals will be invited from all non-profit or for-profit organizations, educational institutions, or non-federal institutions or agencies. The solicitation will be managed through DOE's Chicago Operations Office. To demonstrate the practicality and cost-effectiveness of new, energy-efficient technologies, OIT sponsors a grant program, known as NICE3. This program opened a competitive solicitation on May 7 to award approximately $4 million for cost-shared technology demonstrations by state and industry partnerships (large and small business).
Grants fund up to 50 percent of total project costs for up to three years. Each award of up to $525,000 will be made to qualified partnerships wishing to demonstrate clean, energy-efficient technologies that can boost productivity in U.S. industry.
Borrower's Guide to Financing Solar Energy Systems is Available
Arizona
Civano Community has Grand Opening
Florida
Iowa "This grant gives Iowa the tools to show its communities how to combine economic development and environmental protection," said Sharon Tahtinen, energy bureau chief at the DNR. "By demonstrating these techniques with a group of showcase communities, other Iowa towns will follow." Through the two-year grant, the DNR will work with Cedar Falls, Des Moines, Harlan, LeMars, Pella and other communities across the state to install energy-efficiency projects, reduce waste, and improve water and wastewater treatment plants. Several divisions within the DNR, in addition to a number of Iowa organizations, will deliver the community-based program. The program is expected to save communities $15.5 million annually, while improving the environment.
The EPA's national grant competition drew more than 600 sustainable development proposals. The agency selected 41 proposals from across the country totaling nearly $5 million.
Kentucky Transportation Technologies--AFV Refueling Infrastructure: Funding for this project will be used to establish a CNG (compressed natural gas) refueling facility at an industrial site, the Rohm & Haas Company in Louisville. Through outreach to nearby industries, the Rohm & Haas Company will demonstrate the benefits of using alternative fuels. The proximity of a CNG refueling facility will reduce the barriers other industries face in converting vehicle fleets to alternative fuels. Transportation Technologies--Central Kentucky Clean Cities Support: Project funding will support the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition in strengthening the AFV market in the central Kentucky area. Federal Energy Management Program--Training to Assist In-State Federal Facilities with Alternative Private Sector Financing: In this special project, KDOE will offer training in the use of private-sector financing to help improve the energy efficiency of state/federal facilities. KDOE's experience training state and local government officials in the use of Energy Savings Performance Contracting will be a factor in this project's success.
Industrial Technologies, Industry of the Future--Kentucky Aluminum Technology Roadmap: Funding for this special project allows KDOE to implement U.S. DOE's Industries of the Future program for the aluminum industry. The project will focus on research, development, and demonstration efforts in the industry. The work will be performed under the auspices of KDOE through the Science and Engineering Center for Aluminum Technology (SECAT) at the University of Kentucky.
New Hampshire In announcing her support for the program, New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen said, "The Solar on Schools Program is a perfect example of a public-private partnership that benefits our schools, educates our children and the public about an important new technology, and at the same time helps the environment by reducing our use of fossil fuels." ECS director Deborah Schachter said, "This is an exciting program. An operating solar electric system will be a very useful aid in teaching important science, math, and career skills. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 70,000 new jobs will be created in the renewable energy industry over the next ten years." In their proposals for program grants, each school described how it would integrate material on solar and other forms of renewable energy into its educational program. The schools also will develop activities to educate their communities about the importance of renewable energy. The school's solar systems will be eligible to be included in the U.S. Department of Energy's Million Solar Roofs Initiative. The Initiative's goal is to install one million solar systems on buildings across the United States by the year 2010. The four schools chosen for the program are John Stark Regional High School, Weare; Kennett High School, Conway; Newmarket Junior and Senior High School, and Hopkinton High School. Each of the four 2 kilowatt solar electric (photovoltaic) systems to be installed at the schools will generate more than 2,800 kilowatt hours a year of electricity and lower carbon dioxide emissions by more than 3,000 pounds annually. The grants from the Governor's energy office will fund renewable energy educational materials for the schools and part of the cost of each solar system. Public Service of New Hampshire, and its parent company, Northeast Utilities, will fund most of the remaining cost with each school asked to make a small contribution. Solar Works, Inc., which contributed substantial time to developing the program, will install the solar systems. All high schools served by PSNH were eligible to apply. The Solar on Schools Program hopes to expand to include the state's other high schools and utilities in the near future.
New Hampshire currently uses photovoltaic systems to provide power for traffic and river flow monitoring devices, and fire towers in remote locations.
Washington
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is sponsoring the national conference, with help from the DOE Seattle Regional Support Office, WSU Energy Program, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory through the Building Standards and Guidelines Program.
WSU Energy Program Advises U.S. Department Of Energy
If you would like to provide feedback to the board about state energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, please contact Kristi Growdon at: growdonk@enengy.wsu or (360) 956-2062.
Fresh Air Research The study reveals that people are concerned about indoor air quality and believe fresh air is important for health. However, they do not operate their ventilation systems nearly as much as recommended-3.4 hours on average, compared to 8 hours per day recommended. The WSU Energy Program worked with the WSU Social and Economic Sciences Research Center (SESRC) to implement the survey. A total of 235 telephone interviews were completed and from those survey participants, additional field data were collected in 31 homes. Here are some of the key conclusions from the study.
Contact: Art Conrad, (360) 956-2062
CONSERVATION UPDATE is a free monthly publication prepared by the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet, Division of Energy, with funding from the United States Department of Energy, to facilitate the transfer of current State Energy Program (SEP) and technical information among the states and territories. Please submit short articles that describe successful programs, solicit ideas, share reports, studies or evaluations, or announce new publications, personnel changes, office address changes, conferences, seminars and workshops. Submittals are due by the seventh of each month. Please send submittals, address corrections, or name changes to: CONSERVATION UPDATE, Division of Energy, 663 Teton Trail, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601, phone (502) 564-7192, facsimile (502) 564-7484, email landry@nrepc.nr.state.ky.us. Past issues are available upon request. For more information, contact Karen W. Landry, Editor, or John M. Stapleton, Director.
Visit the Division's Web site at www.nr.state.ky.us/nrepc/dnr/energy/dnrdoe.html
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