DOE launches two new research programs for postdoctoral research fellows, Canada’s largest wind farm has been approved and the manufacturers of the MV-1 get a loan guarantee to produce more natural gas vehicles that are handicap accessible.
DOE Launches Energy Research Programs
The Department of Energy (DOE) has launched two fellowship programs encouraging scientists to work toward developing clean energy technologies. The Postdoctoral Fellowships Program and the SunShot Initiative Fellowships Program aim to prepare individuals for careers in the clean energy sector and promote science and engineering education, as outlined in the Obama administration’s education goals. The DOE will accept 20 applicants for its Postdoctoral Fellowships where they will work on independent projects along with a specific research area such as biomass, geothermal, industrial efficiency or water power. The SunShot program will accept recent Masters or Ph.D. graduates to work on the goal of reducing the cost of solar energy systems by 75 percent so that they can compete effectively with other forms of energy by the end of the decade.
SunPower Panels Powering Japanese Households
SunPower Corp. will supply its solar panels for to Toshiba to use in the company’s residential solar installations in Japan. Toshiba’s solar initiative launched last year using 32-MW of SunPower panels and the company has now requested an additional 48-megawatts of solar panels. “Japan is the leader in Asia in the residential solar market, which is an excellent fit for SunPower’s world-leading, high efficiency solar panels,” said SunPower CEO Tom Werner.
Honeywell Company Travels to Malaysia
Envergent Technologies’ Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP) technology will be used in Malaysia to convert palm biomass to renewable heat and electricity. The RTP technology works by heating the biomass at a pressure to create higher yields of liquid biofuel. Envergent, a Honeywell company, will complete the plant in 2013 for the Malaysian company, Premium Renewable Energy. The project is a part of the Malaysian government’s attempt to create a high-income economy for the palm oil industry, while increasing sustainability.
Canada’s Largest Wind Farm Approved
The Greengate Power Corporation has been approved to construct Canada’s largest wind farm, dubbed the Blackspring Ridge I Wind Project. Construction will begin in 2012 with the goal to reach commercial operation by the following year. The wind farm, located in Alberta, will boast a generating capacity of 300-MW. Upon completion, the is expected to supply energy to 100,000 homes, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 600,000 tons annually.
Vehicle Production Group Loan Approved
A $50 million loan has been granted to The Vehicle Production Group to support the creation of a six-passenger MV-1, a wheelchair accessible car that will run on compressed natural gas. The DOE granted the loan, saying that such advances are crucial to reducing America’s dependence on foreign oil and ensuring that the workforce remains highly innovative when designing vehicles. The Vehicle Production Group claims the MV-1 is the only car that with ground up wheelchair accessibility, exceeding the guidelines of the American Disabilities Act.
