Energy Department
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A building that runs on almost no energy. It\'s not magic, it\'s called a net zero building -- and the Energy Department can now boast of creating the world\'s largest.
August 16, 2010 -
The Energy Department has awarded $92 million for 43 cutting-edge research projects aimed at improving how Americans use and produce energy. Dr. Arun Majumdar, the Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency, tells us why these organizations were awarded the money.
August 02, 2010 -
The Obama administration crafted the comprehensive New Energy for America Plan.
July 27, 2010 -
A Milwaukee-based company is about to begin research on an alternative form of refrigeration for cooling buildings, under a $2-point-nine million dollar energy research grant funded through the federal stimulus package. Using a solid state cooling technology, the privately held Astronautics Corporation of America will research a type of magnetic refrigeration that does not rely on a liquid-based refrigerant. Energy Department officials say, if successful, the breakthrough system could achieve significant energy efficiency, greatly reducing system operating costs compared to conventional compression systems, in addition to producing zero greenhouse gases. In all, $30 million dollars in grant money is being given to 17 different projects around the country that focus on a variety of novel approaches to air-conditioning.
July 21, 2010 -
China is now the world\'s biggest energy consumer.
July 19, 2010 -
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Smart USA, which recently debuted its smart for two electric vehicle or EV , will deploy a fleet of 250 of them across the U.S. in October. The company says it will target key cities leading in electrification and Department of Energy grant areas, but it hasn\'t yet released its list of cities. Smart USA is looking for partnerships and is targeting companies, municipalities, organizations, and individuals interested in making a statement on conservation and environmental awareness. The Electric Vehicles are powered by a 30 kilowatt drive motor and a 16.5 kilowatt/hour lithium ion battery; can be fully recharged in about eight hours with a 220 volt outlet. The vehicles can reach highway speeds of 60 miles an hour and offer a range of 82 miles on a single charge.
July 09, 2010 -
The Department of Energy\'s Brookhaven National Lab is constructing the world\'s most brilliant light source, the National Synchrotron Light Source II. In a recent decision, DOE approved a new project to begin the conceptual design of experimental tools needed to complete the project. Its research potential will only be realized when equipped with scientific instruments known as beamlines. Specialized magnets called insertion devices will create the light used by the most advanced of the beamlines. Energy officials say, as the world\'s most brilliant light source, NSLS II will foster groundbreaking scientific advances. The new source will give scientists the ability to image materials down to a nanometer, or one billionth of a meter. The facility is expected to start operating in 2015.
July 09, 2010 -
The administration issues two new memos focusing on all IT projects and specifically on financial management systems. OMB will issue guidance in the next month detailing how they will evaluate which programs are at most risk. OMB\'s Zients says programs worth more than $10 billion are significantly off track in cost, schedule or both.
June 29, 2010 -
In last night\'s address, Obama urged Congress and the nation to get behind sweeping energy and climate change legislation, a domestic priority of his presidency that has stalled on Capitol Hill. Congressional expert Jodi Schneider explains what bills address what and where they are in the process.
June 16, 2010 -
We get analysis from Federal News Radio\'s Max Cacas.
June 14, 2010 -
Agencies recycled more than 51,000 pounds of electronics, purchases more than 58,000 hardware that met the green standards and saved the government more than $11 million.
June 07, 2010 -
Scientists at the Nuclear Science and Technology Division of the U.S. Department of Energy\'s Oak Ridge National Lab are bringing together decades of nuclear energy and safety expertise with high-performance computing to effectively address a range of nuclear energy - and security-related - challenges. One of the goals of the Lab\'s Nuclear Science and Technology Division is to bring together what we know about nuclear energy, nuclear national security modeling, and simulation capabilities with high-performance computing. That will solve problems that were previously unthinkable, or impractical, in terms of the computing power required to address them. One example is using computational methods and software to simulate radiation, in order to support the design and safety of nuclear facilities.
May 25, 2010 -
A new website has been launched that communicates essential information about America\'s energy situation, based on the vast holdings of reports from the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Research Council. A finalist for the Webby Award in the category of science, the site called \"What You Need to Know About Energy\" provides an overview of our current energy system in the United States, and covers the uses for energy, sources of energy, the cost of energy including to cost to the environment, national security, and sustainability, and energy efficiency. It identifies each of the energy sources we rely on today - ranging from wind to nuclear to oil - and tracks how each is used. You\'ll find it at needtoknow.nas.edu.
May 10, 2010