Clean Energy for the 21St Century

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EREC can also answer questions Office of Transportation Technologies of the century ... than a clean concerning clean energy technologies. www.ott.doe.gov energy future.”

Federal Energy Management Program PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON, AUGUST 1999 www.eren.doe.gov/femp/

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY COVER PHOTOS: NREL/PIX 06330, WARREN GETZ; NREL/PIX 03500, CRAIG MILLER PRODUCTIONS AND DOE; NREL/PIX 07139, SARA FARRAR; OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SO000359 PHOTODISC NREL/PIX 04080, WARREN GRETZ; NREL/PIX 07732, D&R INTL., LTD.; NREL/PIX 00129, GAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE; FUTURE CAR PHOTO, DOE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

s we enter a new millennium, one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s ongoing missions Awill be advancing clean energy technologies. These technologies will play an increasingly important role in our future and allow us to use less energy overall, while making greater use of the non-polluting energy sources that we have here at home. Clean energy technologies can help us tackle the problem of global climate change, improve air quality, provide additional options in competitive electricity markets and increase our energy security. Clean energy technologies will also play an important role in the global economy. Over the next four decades, developing countries alone will require five million megawatts of new electrical capacity. This is 60 percent more than the total installed generating capacity in the world today and is potentially worth trillions of dollars in new energy projects for U.S. companies. U.S. clean energy technologies can help those countries develop existing energy resources and use energy more efficiently while generating jobs here at home. NREL/PIX 07078, DOE This comprehensive clean energy approach is central to the Clinton Administration’s firm belief that we can grow the economy while improving the environment.

Bill Richardson Secretary of Energy

n the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Iwe’re meeting the challenges of the new century—using less energy to power industries, vehicles, and buildings; and producing more power from clean energy sources such as renewable energy and natural gas. For more than 20 years, we have played a leading role in developing and advancing clean energy technologies. Through a wide variety of activities, we are advancing research, development and deployment of these technologies—along with supportive policies and markets— throughout the United States and the world. An increased emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energy will help save money for energy consumers, make America’s businesses more competitive, reduce the nation’s reliance on imported oil, cut pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and improve public health. While the promise of clean energy technologies is clear, an increased commitment by both NREL/PIX 07077, DOE the public and private sectors is needed to realize the full benefits of our investment. We will redouble our efforts with Congress, industry, state and local governments, tribal nations, and the public to move the nation toward our goal of Clean Energy for the 21st Century.

Dan W. Reicher Assistant Secretary of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

CLEAN ENERGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY The Federal Focal Point FOR CLEAN ENERGY

he U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy T(EERE) develops and deploys clean energy technologies that save energy and cut pollu- This school bus in San Antonio, Texas, runs tion. The combined work of EERE and the DOE Offices of Fossil Energy and Nuclear Energy is quietly and efficiently on domestically avail- helping prepare our country for the energy challenges of the next century and beyond. able natural gas, while producing lower harmful emissions. Clean energy technologies include energy- EERE is divided into five programs that efficient products and practices, which focus their efforts on specific sectors of use less energy, and renewable energy the energy economy: buildings, trans- sources and natural gas, which produce portation, industry, power, and the federal power and heat more cleanly than many government as an energy user. To support conventional sources. Renewable energy these programs, EERE works closely with comprises domestic, readily-available states through the State Energy Program, energy sources such as biomass, wind, providing grants for clean energy tech- solar and geothermal energy, and hydro- nologies. EERE also manages the Weather- power. In advancing these clean energy ization Assistance Program, which NREL/PIX 04152, JOHN KUBESH technologies, EERE helps to protect the improves the energy efficiency of low- environment, support U.S. economic com- income housing throughout the nation. petitiveness, and enhance our nation’s The Golden Field Office, located in energy security. EERE achieves these goals Golden, Colorado, serves as the primary through a strong and balanced program of field agent for EERE, developing partner- research, development, and deployment of ships between EERE, DOE national labora- advanced energy technologies, along with tories, universities, and the private sector. support for critical policies and markets. Golden also administers the contract These activities are conducted in for the National Renewable Energy partnership with the private sector, state Laboratory (NREL). NREL is one of eight energy offices, universities, and other DOE national laboratories—including research organizations. EERE’s reliance Argonne, Idaho, Lawrence Berkeley, on partnerships stimulates private invest- Lawrence Livermore, Oak Ridge, Pacific ments and gets more mileage out of feder- Northwest, and Sandia National Labor- al investments. These partnerships also atories—that support EERE through help ensure that we develop technologies research, development, and deployment that private industry is interested in car- activities. rying forward to the marketplace. Six DOE Regional Offices serve as Because many of EERE's programs over- regional liaisons, providing project man- lap with the goals of other federal agencies, agement and technology deployment for

NREL/PIX 06457, KISS & CATHCART, ARCHITECTS the office works cooperatively with these EERE programs. The six offices—in Atlanta, Above: EERE’s State Energy Program fund- agencies on several activities. For example, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and ed an analysis of energy efficiency options for the 4 Times Square building, seen here the same technologies that reduce energy Seattle—allow EERE to develop regional under construction in New York City. The use also reduce air pollution and energy relationships with key federal, state and building incorporates daylighting, fuel cells, photovoltaic panels, and other costs, so EERE works jointly with the local government organizations, indus- energy innovations. National Park Service on initiatives such as tries, and others. The Regional Offices Right: EERE and the U.S. Environmental Green Energy Parks, a program to increase provide feedback on local energy issues, Protection Agency work together on the ENERGY STAR® program, the use of energy efficient and renewable concerns, and opportunities, serving as which labels energy- energy technologies in our National Parks. a link between EERE programs and the efficient products and buildings. end-users of EERE’s services.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CLEAN ENERGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY 1 Meeting the Challenges of the 21st Century WITH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES

Maintaining a Clean and Preparing for a Competitive Healthy Environment and Global Energy Economy Energy and the environment are strongly The introduction of competition to the linked—the use of energy is the largest electric industry presents challenges and

source of air pollution in this country. opportunities to clean energy technolo- High-temperature superconducting cables Vehicles and power plants are the largest gies. Although market pressures could transmit electricity with greater energy efficiency than copper cables and can carry contributors to problems like ground-level decrease investments in these technolo- three times as much current. ozone, acid rain, and particulates. Energy gies, competition and electric industry use as a whole also generates most of the restructuring also provide new oppor- greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. tunities for the support and marketing What price should we pay for clean of clean energy. DOE is working with Savings for Consumers

air and preventing climate change? Some utilities, industry, states, and consumers A 1997 report from the President’s Committee of NREL/PIX 00349, WARREN GRETZ people say that we will have to make to ensure that the policies and market Advisors on Science and Technology found that research and development investments in energy tradeoffs and sacrifices, and that we must structures in the restructured electric efficiency have contributed to efficiency improve- accept pollution in our lives. But that industry take into consideration the ments that now save U.S. consumers $170 billion doesn’t have to be the case. The innova- benefits of clean energy technologies. a year. tive technologies DOE is developing will Although uncertainties persist in help achieve a clean environment and a domestic energy markets, the interna- Employment healthy economy. For example, clean tional markets for clean energy tech- Multiplier 25 energy technologies can help low-income nologies are booming. In the next 30

communities capitalize on energy-saving to 40 years, developing countries are The State of Texas 20 opportunities. The money saved can then expected to spend up to $10 trillion found in a 1999 report that investing be reinvested to help achieve other priori- on electrical power alone. Clean energy in improving the 15 ties such as improved air quality, which technologies may capture much of the energy efficiency of office buildings 10 helps create more livable communities. future energy market. With this in mind, generated almost five times as many countries such as Japan, Germany, and jobs in the state as 5 Ensuring U.S. Energy Security Denmark have aggressive research the same investment in oil refining. 0 The energy crisis of the 1970s raised programs in clean energy technologies Energy Efficiency Oil Improvements in Refining concerns throughout the United States and are in tight competition with the Office Buildings about our energy security. Our dependence United States. Continued development on other countries for more than one-third and enhancement of clean energy tech- of our oil was a cause of great concern. nologies is essential to maintaining Competition and electric industry restructur- Yet we now import fully 50% of the oil U.S. global competitiveness. ing provide new opportunities for increased used in this country, and projections use of clean energy. show imports increasing to 65% by 2020. “There is clearly a limit to fossil We pay an economic cost for importing fuel. [Fossil fuel] resources and oil. Every barrel of oil imported means supplies are likely to peak around another $10 to $20 is sent overseas. We could keep more of those dollars at home 2030 before declining slowly. to fuel the U.S. economy, generate new Far more important will be the NREL/PIX 00002, WARREN GRETZ jobs and increase local tax revenues. contribution of alternative, Energy efficiency and clean, domestic renewable energy supplies.” sources of energy are key to making CHRIS FAY, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, this happen. SHELL UK LTD., OCTOBER 1995

2 CLEAN ENERGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY “...DOE has a proven record of helping to turn engineering concepts into viable energy efficiency technologies. DOE has documented savings of $27.5 billion from just five measures it helped develop during the 1970s and 80s.” HOWARD GELLER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR AN ENERGY EFFICIENT ECONOMY, APRIL 1999 NREL/PIX 03584, AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORP.

Clean Energy Sources Create generated in Wisconsin by investing in Jobs While Improving Our renewable energy rather than in fossil- Energy Security fuel energy sources. EERE advances clean energy sources such as renewable energy and natural gas. Energy Efficiency Pays for Natural gas is a clean-burning fuel that Itself While Cutting Energy can be used to heat and cool, power Use and Pollution vehicles, and generate electricity using A wide range of technologies can improve turbines or fuel cells. the way we use energy in all aspects of our Renewable energy draws on many lives. For the homeowner and business energy sources for a wide variety of owner, efficient appliances and lighting, applications. Solar energy, for instance, superwindows, geothermal heat pumps, Clean power technologies, such as this wind turbine, can heat water, produce electricity, heat and other technologies offer energy- create jobs, increase local tax revenues, and keep our energy dollars at home. homes and other buildings, and provide efficient options. For industry, energy process heat for industrial processes. efficiency includes not only more efficient Wind turbines capture the energy of the equipment, but also entirely new processes wind to generate electricity, just as hydro- that use less energy. For the automotive “Renewable energy will capture electric power captures the energy of industry, higher mileage cars, using such a significant share of the world energy flowing water. Geothermal energy—the technologies as fuel cells and hybrid power market over the next 20 years.” heat of the earth—can also be used for systems—combinations of electric motors KENNETH L. LAY, power production as well as heating or and gasoline or diesel engines—provide CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, cooling buildings, or used directly as a energy-efficient alternatives. And for the ENRON CORPORATION, source of process heat. And bioenergy electric power industry, energy efficiency JANUARY 1997 uses organic materials—often called involves generating and transmitting elec- biomass—to produce electricity, fuels, tricity with minimal energy losses. This is or chemicals. Sources of biomass include achievable through the use of advances Left: Many compact fluorescent light trees and plants grown as energy crops, such as high-temperature superconductors bulbs now carry the agricultural and forestry residues, and and combined heat and power systems, ENERGY STAR® label. These bulbs last up the organic component of municipal and which boost the efficiency of power genera- to 10,000 hours and save $25–$45 over industrial wastes. tion by using waste heat to supply thermal the life of the bulb. Renewable energy sources produce energy to buildings or industries.

Below: Students little or no pollution, and they will never Our country has benefitted from im- from a science run out. As our country uses more renew- proved energy efficiency for the past camp learn about solar energy at able energy to displace conventional 30 years. Until 1970, U.S. energy use NREL’s Outdoor energy sources, our air will become was directly related to the gross national Test Facility. NREL/PIX 07737, D&R INTL. LTD cleaner, our contributions to climate product. The assumption was that as the change will decrease, and our energy economy grew, energy use would also security will increase. By developing grow. But since then, energy use has grown and commercializing these technologies, more slowly than the economy as the we are also building new U.S. industries country has shifted to more energy- and generating new export markets for efficient technologies. In fact, in 1998, U.S. energy products. U.S. energy use actually dropped slightly Using renewable energy in the U.S. while the economy grew by 3.9%. This also creates jobs. For example, in a drop in energy use was due in part to the study by the Wisconsin Energy Bureau, increased use of technologies developed

NREL/PIX 06305, DAVID PARSONS three times as many jobs would be by DOE and its partners.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CLEAN ENERGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY 3 Developing Clean Energy Solutions FOR OUR COUNTRY’S NEEDS

For Industry direct-injection engines, high-efficiency EERE helps the nine most energy-intensive electric motors, high-power batteries, and industries—the pulp and paper, agricul- lightweight materials. EERE participates tural, chemical, petroleum, glass, mining, with industry on the application of these aluminum, steel, and metalcasting indus- and other technologies to the development tries—reduce their energy use and cut of cleaner, more fuel-efficient trucks. pollution. These nine industries account EERE is also helping to expand the

for 75% of the energy used and 90% of use of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), NREL/PIX 04924, NATIONAL PARK SERVICE the pollution produced by U.S. industry. which use such fuels as ethanol, natural Above: The Federal Energy Management Program provided technical assistance to help EERE is helping to develop new processes gas, methanol, or electricity. EERE’s Pinnacles National Monument in California and equipment to reduce energy use, implement a 9.6-kilowatt photovoltaic system. Clean Cities program encourages both The system provides power for three employee increase output for the same energy use, the use of AFVs and the development residences, a ranger station, visitor center, campground, comfort station, well pump and or convert wastes into energy to reduce of a refueling station infrastructure two wastewater effluent pumps. It eliminates each industry’s net energy consumption. throughout the nation. More than 3,000 a $20,000 annual fuel bill for a diesel genera- tor that produced 143 tons of carbon dioxide EERE also helps improve the efficiency organizations are now participating each year. of equipment and systems used through- in the program through more than out industry, such as industrial motors, 75 Clean Cities Coalitions nationwide. “Broad promotion of the steam and compressed air systems, and DOE/EPA ENERGY STAR® label combustion technologies. To help indus- For the Power Industry will make it easier for consumers tries save energy, 30 Industrial Assess- To meet the clean energy needs of the to recognize and buy energy- ment Centers, located at universities power industry, EERE is advancing tech- efficient homes, products, tech- around the country, conduct no-cost nologies for generating electricity from energy assessments. To date, more than biomass, wind, solar and geothermal nologies, and services that 8,000 assessments have been performed, energy, hydropower, and natural gas. benefit their pocketbooks and the resulting in energy efficiency projects Wind energy is the fastest growing planet—especially as Earth Day that are saving an average of $55,000 renewable electricity source, in part 2000 shines the spotlight on per year for each participant. because the cost of electricity from wind the multiple problems created has decreased to about five cents per by inefficient energy and For Transportation kilowatt-hour. Current EERE research is the benefits of clean and Vehicles consume most of the petroleum aimed at cutting those energy costs in half used in the United States and contribute by 2002, making wind energy competitive efficient energy.” significantly to air quality problems in with other generation technologies. DAVID M. NEMTZOW, PRESIDENT, ALLIANCE TO SAVE ENERGY, metropolitan areas. To address these The solar (photovoltaic) electricity SEPTEMBER 1999 issues, DOE and six other federal agencies industry is also experiencing rapid are working with the major U.S.-based auto growth, increasing by 10% to 30% each makers in the Partnership for a New Gener- year since 1990. EERE administers a ation of Vehicles (PNGV), which has the goal number of programs to advance solar- of creating a full-size car that achieves cell efficiency, improve manufacturing 80 miles per gallon by 2004, without processes, and encourage the use of sacrificing safety, affordability, or other photovoltaic systems in our country. FORD MOTOR COMPANY features we expect in an American car. In addition to electrical generation EERE is the government’s primary tech- technologies, EERE is developing the

nical organization in the PNGV program technologies needed for a more efficient NREL/PIX 00426, WARREN GRETZ and leads the development of fuel-cell and operation of the power industry, including hybrid electric vehicles, advancing tech- the use of high-temperature supercon- nologies such as compression-ignition ducting cables and transformers,

4 CLEAN ENERGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY “...We strongly believe in the merits of research conducted under collaborative, government-industry programs such as PNGV [Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles], and we are committed to maintaining a meaningful level of effort and resources." WILLIAM F. POWERS, VICE PRESIDENT–RESEARCH, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, JULY 1997

advanced energy storage technologies, weatherized more than 4.7 million homes and technologies to produce hydrogen, since its inception in 1976. Below: This prototype house store it, and generate electricity from it. in the Civano Development in Tucson, Arizona, was For the Federal Government constructed and tested For Buildings The federal government is the nation’s under the Building America Program and incorporates Americans spend more than $240 billion largest single energy user, spending energy-efficient building each year on energy for our homes and roughly $8 billion each year on energy. techniques. other buildings. It’s possible today to The Federal Energy Management Program build homes and commercial buildings (FEMP) works to cut that energy use and that are much more energy-efficient than encourage the use of renewable energy at most buildings currently being construct- federal facilities throughout the country. ed, cutting energy costs significantly, In June 1999, President Clinton signed often without adding to the building’s an executive order establishing tighter price tag. energy goals, including cutting the energy The Building America program forms use in most federal buildings by 35% by

NREL/PIX 07715, SARA FARRAR teams of professionals from different 2010, relative to 1985 levels. segments of the home building industry Federal agencies often have insufficient to develop new approaches to constructing funds to invest in efficiency improvements. energy-efficient homes. For commercial To remove this roadblock, FEMP advances a buildings and multifamily residential process called energy savings performance buildings, the Rebuild America program contracting, in which an energy service creates community partnerships to retrofit company makes the initial investment in the older buildings with the latest technolo- energy-efficient equipment and fixtures, and gies, usually saving about 20% to 30% on the agency pays the company back through energy bills. a portion of the energy savings. Renewable EERE sets enhanced efficiency standards technologies can also be rolled into the

BUS2064, CORBIS for appliances and other building equip- contract, allowing some of the energy EERE’s Industries of the Future program helps ment, and helps implement building savings to pay for the cost of the renew- the most energy-intensive industries reduce their energy use and cut pollution. energy codes by providing compliance able installation. FEMP also helps federal tools for builders, designers, and inspec- agencies contract directly with their local tors. Appliance standards developed by utility for energy services. In addition, DOE and its industry partners will save FEMP provides training and technical Left top: Advanced automotive technologies, American consumers nearly $50 billion assistance to federal agencies, and helps such as this lightweight Ford P2000 concept car, will help reduce our dependence on through 2010. EERE also works in coopera- these agencies identify and purchase foreign oil imports while improving the air tion with the U.S. Environmental Protection energy efficient products and construct quality in our cities. Agency to manage the ENERGY STAR®pro- sustainable buildings. EERE’s Weatherization Assistance program gram and label for efficient appliances, performs energy office equipment, windows, light bulbs, audits and adds efficiency improve- and even entire buildings. “Energy-efficiency improvements ments for low-income Americans, helping EERE also provides assistance to low- have helped to reduce our to slash home energy income Americans through the Weather- production costs. And this has costs. ization Assistance Program. The program, led to greater market implemented at the state level, performs and business growth.” energy audits and efficiency improve- JOHN LESSARD, PRESIDENT,

19020019, WESTSTOCK ments to help these households cut their FOX RIVER MILLS, OSAGE, IOWA, Left bottom: Geothermal energy bills. Nationwide, the program has MARCH 1994 energy is a reliable source of electricity that produces minimal air emissions. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CLEAN ENERGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY 5 Establishing Initiatives that Advance THE U.S. ECONOMY

Bioenergy Initiative EnergySmart Schools This initiative coordinates government EnergySmart Schools is a DOE-led partner- efforts and partners with industry to ship that brings together public- and develop an integrated bioenergy industry private-sector resources to reduce energy to produce power, fuels, and chemicals. An bills in our nation’s schools and redirect executive order signed by President Clinton the savings to our children and their edu- in August 1999 established a Cabinet-level cation. The initiative works to improve council on bioenergy, led by DOE and the learning environment through smart “Not only U.S. interests the U.S. Department of Agriculture. energy improvements and increases the The President also established a goal of energy awareness of students, teachers, but also basic human values-— tripling the use of bioenergy by 2010. and local communities. respect for human dignity and human rights, belief in equity Brightfields Initiative International Programs This solar energy initiative helps make EERE’s International Programs help devel- and opportunity, commitment to use of contaminated, unused factory oping countries leap-frog conventional assistance for the least fortunate sites, often referred to as brownfields. approaches to energy production and and to stewardship for future The Brightfields Initiative will help instead make the best use of clean energy generations and for the environ- communities throughout the country technologies. The program currently ment—dictate U.S. leadership redevelop brownfields by bringing provides technical assistance to more than in international cooperation in pollution-free solar energy and high-tech 60 countries, helping to build new markets energy innovation.” solar manufacturing jobs to these sites. for renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies while creating new opportu- PRESIDENT’S COMMITTEE OF ADVISORS Combined Heat and ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, nities for U.S. clean energy industries. JUNE 1999 Power Challenge Conventional electric power generation Million Solar Roofs is inherently inefficient, converting only Announced by President Clinton in June about one-third of a fuel source’s energy 1997, this EERE-led initiative is support- into electricity—the rest is waste heat. ing the installation of one million solar But the efficiency of power generation energy systems on U.S. buildings by 2010. can be boosted to 85% if the waste heat Working through more than 40 state and is reclaimed to supply thermal energy to local partnerships joined with solar indus- buildings or industries. The goal of the tries, electric service providers, govern- Combined Heat and Power Challenge is ment agencies and other organizations, to double the capacity for electricity the initiative eliminates barriers to solar generation from combined heat and energy use and assists in developing BLUFFSVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL power facilities by 2010. market demand.

Distributed Power and Wind Powering America Transmission Reliability Wind Powering America establishes The Distributed Power Initiative is advanc- partnerships between public and private ing on-site power generation as an alter- organizations to encourage the increased native to traditional centralized power use of wind energy. This initiative has generation. The Transmission Reliability set a goal of providing 5% of the nation’s Initiative is developing technologies (includ- electricity from wind by 2020, with the ing distributed power) and techniques to federal government setting the example improve power grid reliability under a by obtaining 5% of its electricity from restructured electric utility environment. wind energy by 2010.

6 CLEAN ENERGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NREL/PIX 01802, ULLAL HERIN, CENTRAL ELECTRONICS, LTD. “...individual consumers in growing numbers will make known their desire for environmentally clean power and for energy conservation opportunities. They may even choose custom-built fuel cells, rooftop solar systems or microturbines to provide their electricity.” EUGENE W. ZELTMANN, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY, JUNE 1999 NREL/PIX 08130, CAPSTONE TURBINE CORP.

Microturbines are small engines How EERE Advances Clean standards for buildings, appliances, and attached to high-speed electrical generators which can be powered Energy Technologies other building equipment. by natural gas or biofuels. They EERE plays an essential role in the devel- provide a reliable source of elec- EERE steps in where necessary to help tricity and heat for commercial opment of clean energy technologies, stimulate markets and encourage the use businesses and industries. from basic and applied research through of energy efficiency and renewable energy demonstration and deployment. EERE technologies. For example, EERE programs

is there at every step to help advance such as ENERGY STAR,® Building America, the technologies. Rebuild America, and the Weatherization EERE supports research now underway Assistance Program are all designed to in DOE national laboratories, industries, encourage the use of energy efficiency universities, and other research organi- technologies in homes and buildings. zations. These endeavors run the gamut EERE also helps develop policies that from basic research—for instance, support clean energy in such arenas as studying the electronic properties of the restructuring of the U.S. electricity materials—to product-specific projects, industry, revisions to the tax code, and such as studying different materials for innovative financing. use in geothermal power plant condensers. Biomass resources such as Through this multi-pronged approach, these poplar trees (inset) can AA007488, PHOTODISC; INSET: OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY EERE also supports the Inventions and EERE has been able to advance a wide range be used to produce clean and affordable transportation fuels, power, and chemicals. EERE’s Bioenergy Innovation Program, which provides of technologies to the commercial stage, Initiative facilitates the technological advances that seed funding for inventors of potential and then has encouraged their actual use will foster an integrated bioenergy industry to increase the manufacture and use of these products. energy-saving devices and concepts. throughout the country. This is an ongoing EERE partners with industry to develop program, as researchers continue to exam- these concepts into commercially viable ine new materials for photovoltaic cells, technologies. These partnerships can take new lighting technologies, and new build- the form of cost-shared research, as is ing design methodologies—a whole range now being performed to create the next of approaches that will help keep the U.S. generation of vehicles, or they can become clean energy industry on the competitive a more formal technology transfer process, edge in global energy markets. such as the licensing of a technology to a company. For example, Zond Energy Left: These students are getting hands-on experience “Our desire is to provide high in renewable energy from a solar photovoltaic Systems, Inc., a subsidiary of Enron Wind system added to their school in Bluffsview, Ohio. quality, environmentally friendly Corporation, holds the license to an NREL- Below: Fatigue testing of a Zond Z-48 wind designed wind turbine airfoil that improves products that will benefit both turbine blade. the capture of wind energy, particularly at consumers and the agricultural lower wind speeds. community. Research to produce An essential aspect of EERE’s work is fuels and chemicals from plants the support it provides to existing indus- and agricultural residues offers tries. For instance, technical assistance to farmers some much-needed hope. Bethlehem Steel Corporation’s Burns Harbor An initiative that will expand uses facility in northwest Indiana resulted in energy efficiency improvements that cut of the crops we grow has strong energy use nearly 50%, saving the company support from the Farm Bureau.” more than $620,000 annually. EERE also DEAN KLECKNER, PRESIDENT, works with the building industry and AMERICAN FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, MAY 1999 manufacturers to institute new codes and NREL/PIX 06513, DAVID PARSONS Left: Clean energy technologies help developing countries minimize their energy use, while making a real difference in the lives of their citizens. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CLEAN ENERGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY 7 Envisioning OUR CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE

s we begin the new millennium, we are also beginning a new age of cleaner, more STOCK

WEST Aefficient energy use. The changes are already apparent in the prevalence of ENERGY STAR®- labeled lights, appliances, computers, and even homes and other buildings; in the increasing 02050014, availability of “green power”—electricity from renewable energy sources—in many parts of the country; and the emergence of alternative-fueled vehicles and hybrid vehicles.

EERE will redouble its efforts to bring By 2010, reduce annual energy even more energy choices to consumers, expenditures in K-12 schools by “The fate of people on Earth businesses, and industry. To focus these 25%, realizing potential savings of efforts, EERE has set aggressive but $1.5 billion per year. depends on whether we can achievable goals: By 2020, help to provide 5% of the employ efficient and renewable By 2002, develop a light truck that will country’s electricity from wind energy. energies. We need to lay big be 35% more fuel efficient than current plans for small technologies” models, without sacrificing safety, The changes we plan to help achieve will DAVID FREEMAN, GENERAL MANAGER, comfort, performance, or cost. have a real impact on the lives of all LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF WATER By 2004, develop a prototype family Americans. We’ll see less smog in our AND POWER, JUNE 1996 car that achieves 80 miles per gallon. cities as cars, industries, and power plants By 2010, reduce federal energy use by become cleaner and more efficient. We’ll 35% from 1985 levels, while using the see farmers and rural America profiting power of federal purchasing to stimu- from new markets for energy crops. late markets for energy efficiency and We’ll see reduced oil imports as we pro- “The department’s work renewable energy technologies. duce more of our own energy. Many with industry and non- By 2010, help the most energy-inten- people will even generate their own governmental organizations sive industries reduce their energy use electricity at home. will continue to deliver the per unit output by one-fourth. Meanwhile, our economy will grow, critical advanced technologies By 2010, triple the production with new energy industries springing of electricity from non-hydroelectric up to meet the demands both here and needed to reach our goals renewable energy sources. abroad. We’ll all spend less money on today and tomorrow.” By 2010, lead the way to the installa- energy, freeing up cash for other uses. SECRETARY OF ENERGY tion of one million solar energy sys- And we’ll move steadily towards a more BILL RICHARDSON, OCTOBER 1998 tems on U.S. buildings. sustainable energy future—using Clean By 2010, triple the use of bioenergy Energy for the 21st Century. for the production of electricity, fuels, and chemicals. By 2010, help to double the installed generating capacity of combined heat and power systems. By 2010, help cut energy use by 50% in new homes and commercial buildings, by 30% in 15 million existing homes, and by 20% in existing commercial buildings. 34290083, WESTSTOCK

8 CLEAN ENERGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY For More Information