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[Due to the increasing size of the archives, each topic page now contains only the prior 365 days of content. Access to older stories is now solely through the Monthly Archive pages or the site search function.]
ARPA-E Awards $151M to 37 Projects for Transformative Energy Research
October 26, 2009
The Department of Energy (DOE) has selected 37 energy research projects for $151 million in funding through the recently formed Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). This is the first round of projects funded under ARPA-E, which is receiving total of $400 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Among the projects selected are an effort to develop new metal-air batteries using advanced ionic liquids with 6-20 times the energy density of Li-ion batteries at < 1/3 the cost; a project to produce a flow of gasoline directly from sunlight and CO2 using a symbiotic system of two organisms; and a new type of engine for use as a genset in a plug-in hybrid vehicle that is five times more efficient than traditional auto engines in electricity production, 20% lighter, and 30% cheaper to manufacture.
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Nissan to Show EPORO Robot Cars; Collision-free Driving by Mimicking Fish Behavior
October 02, 2009
| The EPORO robot cars. Click to enlarge. |
In 2008, Nissan unveiled the Biomimetic Car Robot Drive (BR23C)—a robotic micro-car that recreates bee characteristics with the goal of producing a system that prevents collisions altogether. (Earlier post.) Now, Nissan is introducing the “EPORO” (EPisode O (Zero) Robot (Episode aiming to be CO2-free and accident-free)) robot car concept, which is designed to travel in a group of like-vehicles, mimicking the behavioral patterns of a school of fish in avoiding obstacles without colliding with each other.
Nissan will demonstrate this technology with a group of six EPOROs when they make their world debut at the CEATEC JAPAN 2009, 6-10 October at the Makuhari Messe.
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US House Passes $2.85B Bill for Advanced Technology Vehicle R&D from 2010-2014
September 17, 2009
The US House yesterday passed by a vote of 312-114 a bill that would authorize additional appropriations totalling $2.85 billion over the 2010-2014 period for the US Department of Energy (DOE) to support a broad range of research activities for advanced technology vehicles.
H.R. 3246, the “Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009” covers research on light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as infrastructure and pilot programs. Ultimately targeting the development of technologies and practices that improve the fuel efficiency and reduce emissions of vehicles produced in the US, the bill also aims to “ensure a proper balance and diversity of Federal investment in vehicle technologies”, while strengthening “partnerships between Federal and State governmental agencies and the private and academic sectors.”
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DOE Awards $377 Million in Funding for 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers
August 07, 2009
US Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the delivery of $377 million in funding for 46 new multi-million-dollar Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) (earlier post) located at universities, national laboratories, nonprofit organizations, and private firms across the nation.
The mission of the EFRCs is to accelerate the rate of scientific breakthroughs needed to create advanced energy technologies for the 21st century. Examples of areas of research focus include, but are not limited to: the direct conversion of solar energy to electricity and chemical fuels; understanding how biological feedstocks are converted into portable fuels; a new generation of radiation-tolerant materials and chemical separation processes for fission applications; energy storage systems; energy utilization and transmission; and science-based geological carbon sequestration.
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US DOE to Award More Than $327M in Recovery Act Funding for Science Research; Includes Support for Biofuels, Smart Grid and Fusion Energy
August 04, 2009
The US Department of Energy (DOE) will award more than $327 million for scientific research, instrumentation, and laboratory infrastructure projects including biofuels, smart grid and fusion energy research, among others.
Of the $327 million in Recovery Act funding, $107.5 million is slated to go to universities, nonprofit organizations, and private firms, generally on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis. The remaining $220 million will go to US Department of Energy National Laboratories for a range of research, instrumentation, and infrastructure projects, including $164.7 million for projects already allocated as follows:
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Interim Report from National Research Council Urges DOE to Continue Support of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Research
July 23, 2009
An interim report by the National Research Council (NRC) assessing the strategy and structure of the Department of Energy’s FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership concluded that although the Obama Administration’s focus on nearer-term vehicle technologies to reduce petroleum fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is on the right track, there remains a need for continued investment in longer-term, higher-risk, higher-payoff vehicle technologies that could be “highly transformational” with regard to those twin concerns.
In addition to advanced batteries, such technologies include systems for hydrogen storage and hydrogen fuel cells, the review panel said. The report comes in the context of the proposed zeroing-out of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle research funding in the DOE’s proposed FY 2010 budget. (Earlier post.)
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DOE and USDA Award $6.3M for Genomics-Enabled Biofuels Research
The US Departments of Energy and Agriculture jointly selected seven projects for awards of up to $6.3 million towards fundamental genomics-enabled research leading to the improved use of plant feedstocks for biofuel production.
These grants will be awarded under a joint DOE-USDA program begun in 2006 that is committed to fundamental research in biomass genomics, providing the scientific foundation to facilitate use of lignocellulosic materials for bioenergy and biofuels. (Earlier post.) DOE will provide $4 million in funding for four projects, while USDA will award $2.3 million to fund three projects. Initial funding will support research projects for up to three years. Awards have been selected for:
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European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative Launches €140M Call for Proposals
July 03, 2009
The European Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH) Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) has issued a second call for proposals for research. Around €140 million (US$196 million) has been allocated to this second call, with €71.3 million by the Commission matched by in-kind contributions of the industrial partners. The FCH JTI, an EU-wide collaborative private-public partnership, has a total budget amounts around €1 billion (US$1.4 billion) to be invested in hydrogen and fuel cell research and development by 2014. (Earlier post.)
The 29 project topics in the second call aim to put fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies on the market two to five years sooner than what is estimated without the support the JTI offers. Selected teams of researchers will investigate bottlenecks in the whole range of applications for these energy technologies, from cars to large scale power plants, as well as the whole supply chain from hydrogen production to demonstration of the market-readiness of applications.
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EU and US Transportation Research Coordinating Bodies Call for Closer Collaboration to Drive New Innovations
June 25, 2009
The European Conference of Transport Research Institutes (ECTRI) and the US Transportation Research Board (TRB) have assessed how the differences between the research cultures of the EU and the US can be used to drive new innovations in joint research projects. The EU and US transport research coordinating bodies studied the role of research in relation to the transport market and advances in the sector.
In its report, entitled “EU/US Transport Research Collaboration: Challenges and Opportunities”, the ECTRI/TRB Working Group writes it is important to intensify cooperation in the field of research in order to establish greater research projects in the future.
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ORNL Research Project Seeks to Boost Combustion Engine Efficiency To 50-60% By Reducing Combustion Irreversibility; RAPTR
June 04, 2009
| The RAPTR experimental device. RAPTR is being designed to investigate Regenerative Air Preheating and Thermochemical Recuperation concepts for reducing losses from combustion irreversibility. Click to enlarge. |
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are investigating mechanisms for extending the efficiency of combustion engines closer to their theoretical potential. The work, which started in FY 2005, involves a complex optimization of materials, controls and ultimately, the thermodynamics, said C. Stuart Daw in a presentation at the recent DOE merit review meetings in Washington, DC.
Today’s engines can deliver a fuel efficiency of 40-42%, with corresponding loss of initially available fuel energy of 58-60%. The ORNL project is seeking essentially to flip that, to enable efficiencies of 50-60%, with losses of 40-50%. “This is long-term, high-risk [research], but obviously the payback is increasingly important,” Daw said.
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DOE Issues RFI on Draft National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap
| Schematic of the potential conversion routes for whole algae into biofuels. Source: Draft Algal Roadmap. Click to enlarge. |
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to solicit feedback on a Draft “National Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap” Document prepared by a working group commissioned by DOE. The Algal Roadmap is intended to assist in the development of an Algae Platform within the Office of the Biomass Program at DOE. Feedback will be incorporated into the finalized draft report for public release.
The Algal Roadmap resulted from a two-day Algal Biofuels Technology Roadmap Workshop conducted by DOE 9-10 December 2008 at the University of Maryland. Chairs and Co-Chairs for each of the nine breakout sessions outlined chapters for the Draft based upon feedback from participants of the workshop.
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DOE Issues RFI for Fuel Cells For Combined Heating and Power and APU Applications; Reflective of New Direction for Hydrogen Program
May 31, 2009
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) (DE-FOA-0000111) seeking input from stakeholders and the research community on proposed technical and cost targets for fuel cells designed for residential combined heating and power (CHP) and auxiliary power unit (APU) applications. This is a Request for Information and not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA); therefore, DOE is not accepting applications and is instead providing an opportunity for stakeholders to submit feedback on targets for residential Combined Heat and Power and Auxiliary Power Unit applications.
The RFI reflects the steps being taken by the DOE’s Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program to rebalance its portfolio in alignment with the DOE’s new position of focusing on fuel cell applications for near-term impact, and less on the long-term development for application in transportation, said Dr. Sunita Satyapal, Acting Program Manager, during the recent Hydrogen and Vehicle Technology combined Merit Review meetings in Washington, DC.
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GM and University of Michigan Developing Method for Direct In-Situ Measurement of Li+ Transport Rates in a Li-ion Cell; Insights into Cell Degradation
May 27, 2009
| The measurement method is based on the differences in color of electrode material after intercalation of different amounts of lithium. Shown is an example of graphite from Maire (2008). Click to enlarge. |
Researchers from General Motors R&D Center and the University of Michigan are developing a method for the direct in situ measurement of lithium ion (Li+) transport rates in a functioning Li-ion cell. Steve Harris from GM, the lead researcher on the project, presented a paper on the method at the 215th biannual meeting of the Electrochemical Society (ECS 215) this week in San Francisco (and is continuing on to present the work at institutions such as Caltech).
Harris’s goal for the project is to try to understand degradation mechanisms of lithium-ion cells. Degradation of cell capacity over time and in extreme temperatures or duty cycles is a problem for any battery application, but for electric drive vehicle applications the problem is particularly acute, given requirements for long calendar life and a stable contribution to vehicle power and energy.
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DOE Upping Investment in Advanced Power Electronics and Electric Machines Research
May 22, 2009
| In addition to increasing the overall budget, DOE is providing more funding to other segments within APEEM in FY2009. (Difference in pie chart size is representational, and not to scale.) Click to enlarge. |
The US Department of Energy (DOE) increased the budget for Advanced Power Electronics and Electric Machines (APEEM) research to $17,358,000 in fiscal 2009, up 12% from the FY 2008 budget of $15,462,000. The APEEM effort comprises power electronics, electric machines, thermal control and integrated systems—components that are unique and critical to electric-drive or assisted vehicles.
All elements within the APEEM category must advance to achieve lower cost, smaller and lighter footprints, and higher efficiency to meet marketplace demands—and the DOE development targets—said Susan Rogers, who runs the APEEM programs within the DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Vehicle Technologies program, at the DOE Merit Review meetings this week in Washington.
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DOE to Award $2.4B in Funding for Carbon Capture, Storage and Reuse Projects
May 16, 2009
The US Department of Energy (DOE) will award $2.4 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand and accelerate the commercial deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) and reuse technology. The Department is posting Notices of Intent to issue this funding, supporting the following initiatives:
Clean Coal Power Initiative. $800 million will be used to expand DOE’s Clean Coal Power Initiative, which provides government co-financing for new coal technologies that can help utilities cut sulfur, nitrogen and mercury pollutants from power plants. The new funding will allow researchers broader CCS commercial-scale experience by expanding the range of technologies, applications, fuels, and geologic formations that are tested.
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European Automotive Industry Outlines R&D Priorities for EU Green Car Initiative
May 07, 2009
European automotive suppliers and vehicle manufacturers have united to submit a series of R&D priorities to the European Commission to shape the European Green Car Initiative (EGCI), announced by the EU. CLEPA (the European umbrella membership organization representing the interests of the global automotive supply industry) and EUCAR (the European Council for Automotive R&D from the major European passenger car and commercial vehicle manufacturers) jointly prepared the document.
The Green Car Initiative, a part of the European economic recovery plan, aims to allocate €5 billion (US$6.7 billion) through a Public Private Partnership to bolster innovation in the automotive sector and sustain its focus on environmental progress. The initiative complements the European Clean Transport Facility which, through the European Investment Bank, serves to provide more immediate financial relief to the sector.
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GM And University of Michigan Form GM/U-M Institute Of Automotive Research And Education; Focus On Fuel-Efficiency And Reinvention Of The Automobile
General Motors and the University of Michigan have formed the GM/U-M Institute of Automotive Research and Education, with a strategic focus on reinventing the automobile and developing the next generation of high-efficiency vehicles powered by diverse energy sources.
The Institute, which builds on more than 50 years of collaboration between the organizations, supplements GM’s ongoing research and development in key areas: advanced batteries, engine systems, smart materials and vehicle manufacturing.
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DOE to Provide $786.5M from Recovery Act to Accelerate Biofuels Research and Commercialization
May 05, 2009
The US Department of Energy plans to provide $786.5 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to accelerate advanced biofuels research and development and to provide additional funding for commercial-scale biorefinery demonstration projects. The funding is a mix of new funding opportunities and additional funding for existing projects. It will be allocated across four main areas: integrated pilot- and demonstration-scale biorefineries; commercial-scale biorefinery projects; fundamental research; and ethanol research.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) Biomass Program will leverage DOE’s national laboratories, universities, and the private sector to help improve biofuels reliability and overcome key technical challenges, with the goal of creating third-generation biofuels such as renewable gasoline, diesel, and jet fuels.
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Almost $1.8B in US Funding to Support Energy Research; ARPA-E and Energy Frontier Research Centers
April 29, 2009
In a speech before the Annual Meeting of the National Academy of Sciences, in which he called for the US to surpass its record investment in research and development—set in 1964 at the height of the space race—with an R&D funding commitment to exceed 3% of GDP, President Barack Obama announced the launch of the $400 million Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
In addition, the Department of Energy announced $777 million in grants to establish 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers.
