Energy Highlights
A twice-monthly energy news update from MMPEI
December 1, 2007
Vol. 1 No. 6
U-M News
Coleman Announces U-M Interdisciplinary Faculty Hiring Program
In an address to the Board Regents at the start of her second term, President Mary Sue Coleman said that the University of Michigan will invest $30 million to encourage the hiring of 100 new tenure-track faculty members. The goal of the program is to expand interdisciplinary teaching and research, especially in areas that advance U-M's major initiatives such as alternative energy and environmental sustainability.
Energy News
Midwestern Governors Sign Energy Pact to Cut Use, Build New Resources
At a recent regional summit on energy and climate change hosted by the Midwestern Governors Association, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and others signed an agreement to work together to reduce energy consumption, limit greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable sources of energy. The agreement calls for a reduction in carbon emissions of between 60 and 80 percent and planning is underway to set emission reduction targets and establish a cap and trade system for businesses. By 2015, the agreement also seeks to reduce energy consumption by 2 percent, increase the number of gas stations offering E-85 (ethanol-gasoline blend) to 15 percent and generate10 percent of electricity from renewable sources.
European Commission Proposes a Plan to Accelerate Energy Technologies for a Low-Carbon Future
The European Commission (or the executive branch of the European Union) outlined a plan to accelerate the development and implementation of the low carbon technologies that play a vital role in reaching the EU's energy and climate change targets in 2020 and achieving the "complete decarbonisation" vision for 2050. Among the Commission's proposals are new joint strategic planning, more effective implementation, an increase in resources for research and a new and reinforced approach to international cooperation.
Ethanol Producers Rethink Investment
In a booming market for clean energy technologies, is ethanol production turning out to be 2007's worst investment? While the price of corn and oil continue to rise, ethanol prices have fallen and remain stagnant. Currently listed on the exchange at $1.865 a gallon, the price of ethanol has fallen 57 percent from a peak of $4.33 in June 2006. The Bush Administration's energy plan triggered production by mandating increased use of biofuels such as corn-based ethanol, but producers say it will take time for market demand to match the increased production levels.
Smart Appliances Learning to Save Power Grid
Scientists at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are testing smart appliances outfitted with computer chips in experiments poised to help consumers save energy and save the electricity grid from failure. These smart appliances, including washers, driers, refrigerators and water heaters can detect when the electricity transmission grid is stressed and partially turn themselves off, saving critical kilowatts. When transmission is stable again, the appliances subtly turn back on. In a related behavioral study, consumers' appliances were outfitted with control boxes that reported real-time electricity prices and demand and adjusted their usage accordingly.
Google to Spend Hundreds of Millions on Developing Renewable Energy
Google Inc. will invest millions in solar, wind and geothermal technology in the hopes of making green energy cheaper than the cost of burning coal. The project, RE<C (Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Coal), will make investments and give grants to projects that show promise in developing energy at a cost below coal-fired power plants. Companies, universities and research and development labs will be eligible. Google's founders have long been proponents or energy efficiency and the company has pledged to be carbon-neutral by the end of the year.
Funding Opportunities
Request for Information and Notice of Pre-Solicitation Workshop: Planned Funding Opportunity Announcement for Research, Development, and Demonstration of Fuel Cell Technologies for Automotive, Stationary, Portable Power, and Early Market Application
The purpose of this RFI is to gather feedback from the research community and relevant stakeholders prior to DOE issuing a planned Fuel Cell FOA for anticipated awards in FY2009. Final details, including the anticipated award size, quantity, and timing of DOE funded awards, will be subject to Congressional appropriations.
DOE is also planning a Pre-Solicitation Workshop which will help to determine the topics and scope of the FOA. This Workshop is planned for January 23 - 24, 2008, in Golden, CO. Workshop Registration requested by 12/21/2007.
Additional funding opportunities are listed on the MMPEI Opportunities Page.
