June 24, 2009—U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced more than $300 million worth of investments that will boost a range of clean energy technologies, including carbon capture from coal, solar power, and high-efficiency cars and trucks. The funding includes approximately $110 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, combined with DOE annual appropriations.
In the area of high-efficiency vehicles, the goal of the first program is to increase vehicle freight efficiency by a total of 50% for heavy-duty Class 8 trucks. Under the second program, projects will work to advance the research and development of efficient engine and powertrain systems for passenger vehicles.
As for solar energy, Secretary Chu announced the selection of 24 new solar projects to advance photovoltaic (PV) technology research, development, and design, thus helping to lower the cost of PV generation. The new projects range from development of automated assembly processes to semiconductor fabrication. They target manufacturing and product cost reduction with the potential to have a near-term impact on a substantial segment of the PV industry.
In addition, Secretary Chu announced plans to develop the nation’s solar installation training infrastructure. This action ensures that a trained solar workforce is ready to support significant growth in renewable power generation—including installers, engineers, salespeople, and other workers entering the solar photovoltaic, solar heating, and solar cooling industries.
As part of the Administration’s commitment to develop technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, Secretary Chu announced nine projects that will develop pre-combustion carbon capture technologies that can reduce CO2 emissions in future coal-based integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants.
The announcement is a direct investment in CCS-related infrastructure among electric power and industrial facilities, academic institutions, and other organizations operating across the U.S.
