Tag: Department of Energy

New solar energy system comes online in Michigan

Stephen Vagus
Michigan Flag - Solar Energy

Lapeer Solar Park is now operational A massive solar energy system has become operational in Michigan. The state is somewhat notorious for its frigid, unforgiving winters; a time when sunlight can be scarce. Michigan has plans, however, to make use of the power of the sun in order to generate the electricity it needs and cut down on emissions. The state’s Lapeer Solar Park is now fully operational and is one of the largest utility-owned solar energy systems in the region. The system is managed by DTE Energy, which is…

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Solar energy industry reaches its cost goal in the US

Stephen Vagus
Solar Energy Costs Goal

DOE report shows that the solar energy has achieved its SunShot Initiative goal The U.S. Department of Energy has released a new report that shows that the solar energy industry has achieved its 2020 utility-scale cost goal. The goal was set by the SunShot Initiative, a federal endeavor that calls for the adoption of solar power. The solar energy industry was able to achieve this goal well ahead of schedule due to the rapidly declining cost of photovoltaic technology. Currently, the average cost of utility-scale solar power is 6 cents…

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The cost of wind energy continues to dwindle in the US

Tami Hood
wind energy costs - wind turbine - alternative energy

Report shows that wind power is becoming more affordable Wind energy has become one of the least expensive forms of power in the United States, according to a report from the Department of Energy. The federal agency recently released its Wind Technologies Market report, which highlights the progress that wind power has made throughout the country. The report shows that as wind capacity has increased, the cost of the electricity wind farms generate has fallen considerably. Cost of wind energy will continue to drop in the future The report predicts…

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Renewable energy could face a challenging future in the US

Tami Hood
Renewable Energy In Need of Support - Time for Change

DOE report calls for more support for fossil-fuels The U.S. Department of Energy has released a new report that could signal a major shift in the agency’s support for renewable energy. The report was commissioned by the agency’s head, Rick Perry, and recommends that more of the country’s electricity be generated from coal. Renewable energy advocates have been concerned for changes in federal energy policies since the Trump Administration came into power. Now, these concerns may become a reality as the Department of Energy begins to show stronger interest in…

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Wind energy capacity continues to expand in Minnesota

Tami Hood
Wind Energy - Wind Turbines at Sunset

Wind is becoming more popular in Minnesota Wind energy is growing quickly in Minnesota, according to new information from the Department of Energy. The state has been showing strong support for wind power for some time. In recent years, this support has helped Minnesota’s wind capacity increase significantly. Now, wind energy accounts for approximately 18% of all electricity generated in the state. Minnesota currently ranks seventh in the nation in terms of wind energy capacity. State’s wind energy capacity grew by 10% last year According to the Department of Energy,…

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New York is leading in wind energy production

John Max
Wind Energy in New York - Statue of Liberty

Reports show that New York has made major progress with its wind power plans The U.S. Department of Energy has released a new series of reports highlighting the growth of wind energy throughout the country. These reports show that several states have made major progress in increasing their wind capacity. These states are now generating more electricity from wind turbines than ever before. The reports also show that New York has come to establish itself as a leader in wind energy production, beating out other states that have held this…

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Solar energy company receives funding from the Department of Energy

Tami Hood
US Solar Energy Funding

P4P Energy wins $1 million in funding from the SunShot Initiative P4P Energy, a company that specializes in solar energy, has won $1 million in funding from the SunShot Initiative. The initiative is part of the Department of Energy’s ongoing effort to promote clean power. Through this program, the federal government provides funding for a wide range of solar energy projects. These projects are meant to bolster the adoption of solar energy, which has become a very popular form of clean power throughout the United States. Company to use funding…

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DOE to invest $46 million into the solar energy sector

Angie Bergenson
Solar Energy Investment - Sunshine and coins

Solar energy projects to receive funding from the SunShot Initiative The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that it will be investing $46 million into 48 solar energy projects throughout the country. The investments will be made through the SunShot Initiative. The program is meant to provide support for solar energy projects in an effort to bolster the adoption of clean power. For years, the SunShot Initiative has driven innovation in the solar sector by providing adequate support for ambitious projects. Program aims to make solar power cost competitive by…

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New legislation could cause problems for renewable energy in the United States

Angie Bergenson
Renewable Energy Legislation - US Congress

Legislation seeks to cut funding for renewable energy and efficiency programs New legislation could place new challenges on the energy efficiency and clean power sector in the United States. The legislation is currently facing the House of Representatives after being approved by the House Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee. Advocates of renewable energy have criticized the legislation, as it would cut funding for several clean power and efficiency programs as well as eliminate the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy. Agency could see its funding…

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DOE to invest $15.8 million in support for projects focused on fuel cells

John Max
Fuel Cells Investment

Federal agency aims to support 30 new projects that seek to improve fuel cells The U.S. Department of Energy has announced some $15.8 million in investments for 30 new projects throughout the country. These projects will be focused on fuel cell technology, hydrogen production, and storage. The federal agency is still in the process of selecting projects that will receive funding. Selected projects will be able to take advantage of a coalition of the country’s national laboratory, which was brought together through the agency’s Energy Materials Network. Projects will take…

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FuelCell Energy to develop reversible fuel cells

Alicia Moore
Reversible Fuel Cells - project development

Reversible fuel cells to be developed through new project with ARPA-E support FuelCell Energy, a leading developer of hydrogen fuel cells, has announced that it has been awarded a promising new contract from the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). The agency is a division of the United States Department of Energy that is focused on the renewable energy field as well as the application of various types of technologies. The contract awarded to FuelCell Energy is valued at $3 million. New fuel cells can produce hydrogen and generate electricity The…

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UPS to begin testing new truck equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system

Alicia Moore
Hydrogen Fuel Cell - UPS truck in parking lot

Company will begin test of its new fuel cell truck later this year UPS is preparing to begin testing a new delivery truck that is equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system. The test will take place in California, where an expansive hydrogen infrastructure is beginning to take form. In September of this year, UPS plans to begin testing its new fuel cell truck in Sacramento. Eventually, the company may opt to power more of its fleet with hydrogen fuel cell systems in order to cut down on emissions production.…

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Solar energy industry employs more people than the coal industry in the US

Alicia Moore
Solar Energy Industry - Solar panels being installed on rooftops

Report shows that the solar energy industry is having a major economic impact The solar energy industry employs more people in the United States than the coal industry, according to a recent report from the Department of Energy. Currently, the federal government is planning to show strong support for fossil-fuels. President Trump intends to relax regulations on the oil and coal industries in order to generate economic growth and create new jobs. The issue, however, is that job creation may lie within the renewable energy sector, largely due to the…

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New flow battery could bring about a brighter future for renewable energy

Stephen Vagus
Flow Battery - Renewable Energy

SEAS researchers have developed a new flow battery Researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have developed a flow battery that can operate for a decade. The new battery could be a major breakthrough in energy storage and the use of clean power. With an extensive lifespan, the battery could have a major impact on the residential sector, where renewable energy is becoming much more popular. The battery could also be used for other purposes, such as storing electricity for industrial purposes or…

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Utilities are showing strong support for renewable energy in the US

Angie Bergenson
Renewable Energy - Support

A growing number of major utilities are entering into the renewable energy space More utilities in the United States are beginning to scramble to embrace renewable energy, despite incoming changes to federal energy policy. The Trump Administration is poised to show more support for fossil-fuels, particularly coal and oil. The federal government is expected to ease regulations on the fossil-fuel sector in an effort to promote the expansion of conventional forms of power. Utilities, however, see significant opportunity in renewable energy, especially where solar and wind are involved. Wind and…

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SimpleFuel builds new appliance to allow drivers to power their fuel cell vehicles at home

Stephen Vagus
Fuel Cell Vehicles - Home Garage and Vechile

SimpleFuel wins prize from Department of Energy SimpleFuel, a collaboration of three separate companies, has been awarded a $1 million prize from the Department of Energy for a new appliance that could make fuel cell vehicles much more attractive to consumers. The appliance is a hydrogen home-fueling station. The purpose of the appliance is to allow those with fuel cell vehicles to generate hydrogen at home rather than force them to travel to a standalone hydrogen station, of which there are few. Home refueling could make fuel cell vehicles more…

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