Hybrid Power Plant Burns More Than Coal - YouTube

The Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in St. Paul, Va. can burn coal from mines, coal left over and biomass, going into the fire as wood chips. The AP's Lee Powell says the utility running the plant is touting its advanced design. (March 29)

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Hybrid Power Plant Burns More Than Coal - YouTube

Making Do with More: Joint BioEnergy Institute Researchers Engineer Plant Cell Walls to Boost Sugar Yields for Biofuels

MARCH 29, 2013

Lynn Yarris (510) 486-5375  lcyarris@lbl.gov

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Genetically engineered Arabidopsis plants (#89) yielded as much biomass as wild types (WT) but with enhanced polysaccharide deposition in the fibers of their cell walls. (Image courtesy of JBEI)

When blessed with a resource in overwhelming abundance it’s generally a good idea to make valuable use of that resource. Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant organic material on Earth. For thousands of years it has been used as animal feed, and for the past two centuries has been a staple of the paper industry. This abundant resource, however, could also supply the sugars needed to produce advanced biofuels that can supplement or replace fossil fuels, providing several key technical challenges are met. One of these challenges is finding ways to more cost-effectively extract those sugars. Major steps towards achieving this breakthrough are being taken by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI).

“Through the tools of synthetic biology, we have engineered healthy plants whose lignocellulosic biomass can more easily be broken down into simple sugars for biofuels,” says Dominique Loque, who directs the cell wall engineering program for JBEI’s Feedstocks Division. “Working with the model plant, Arabidopsis, as a demonstration tool, we have genetically manipulated secondary cell walls to reduce the production of lignin while increasing the yield of fuel sugars.”

JBEI is a scientific partnership led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) whose mission is to advance the development of next generation biofuels that can provide the nation with clean, green and renewable transportation energy that will create jobs and boost the economy. Loque and his research group have focused on reducing the natural recalcitrance of plant cell walls to give up their sugars. Unlike the simple starch-based sugars in corn and other grains, the complex polysaccharide sugars in plant cell walls are locked within a robust aromatic polymer called lignin. Setting these sugars free from their lignin cage has required the use of expensive and environmentally harsh chemicals at high temperatures, a process that helps drive production costs of advance biofuels prohibitively high.

JBEI’s Henrik Scheller (left) and Dominque Loque, shown here with Arabidopsis plants, are engineering plant cell walls to make the sugars within more accessible. (Photo by Roy Kaltschmidt, Berkeley Lab)

“By embedding polysaccharide polymers and reducing their extractability and accessibility to hydrolytic enzymes, lignin is the major contributor to cell wall recalcitrance,” Loque says. “Unfortunately, most efforts to reduce lignin content during plant development have resulted in severe biomass yield reduction and a loss of integrity in vessels, a key tissue responsible for water and nutrient distribution from roots to the above-ground organs.”
Lignin has also long posed problems for pulping and animal feed. To overcome the lignin problem, Loque and his colleagues rewired the regulation of lignin biosynthesis and created an artificial positive feedback loop (APFL) to enhance secondary cell wall biosynthesis in specific tissue. The idea was to reduce cell wall recalcitrance and boost polysaccharide content without impacting plant development.

“When we applied our APFL to Arabidopsis plants engineered so that lignin biosynthesis is disconnected from the fiber secondary cell wall regulatory network, we maintained the integrity of the vessels and were able to produce healthy plants with reduced lignin and enhanced polysaccharide deposition in the cell walls,” Loque says. “After various pretreatments, these engineered plants exhibited improved sugar releases from enzymatic hydrolysis as compared to wild type plants. In other words we accumulated the good stuff – polysaccharides – without spoiling it with lignin.”

Loque and his colleagues believe that the APFL strategy they used to enhance polysaccharide deposition in the fibers of their Arabidopsis plants could be rapidly implemented into other vascular plant species as well. This could increase cell wall content to the benefit of the pulping industry and forage production as well as for bioenergy applications. It could also be used to increase the strength of cereal straws, reducing crop lodging and seed losses. Since regulatory networks and other components of secondary cell wall biosynthesis have been highly conserved by evolution, the researchers feel their lignin rewiring strategy should also be readily transferrable to other plant species. They are currently developing new and even better versions of these strategies.

“We now know that we can significantly re-engineer plant cell walls as long as we maintain the integrity of vessels and other key tissues,” Loque says.
A paper describing this research in detail has been published in Plant Biotechnology Journal. The paper is titled “Engineering secondary cell wall deposition in plants.” Loque is the corresponding author. Co-authors are Fan Yang, Prajakta Mitra, Ling Zhang, Lina Prak, Yves Verhertbruggen, Jin-Sun Kim, Lan Sun, Kejian Zheng, Kexuan Tang, Manfred Auer and Henrik Scheller.

This research was supported by the DOE Office of Science.

#  #  #

JBEI is one of three Bioenergy Research Centers established by the DOE’s Office of Science in 2007. It is a scientific partnership led by Berkeley Lab and includes the Sandia National Laboratories, the University of California campuses of Berkeley and Davis, the Carnegie Institution for Science, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. DOE’s Bioenergy Research Centers support multidisciplinary, multi-institutional research teams pursuing the fundamental scientific breakthroughs needed to make production of cellulosic biofuels, or biofuels from nonfood plant fiber, cost-effective on a national scale.

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. For more, visit www.lbl.gov.

DOE’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the Unites States, and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.  For more information, please visit the Office of Science website atscience.energy.gov.


Additional Information
For more about the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) go here

TAGS: biochemistry, bioenergy, biofuels, energy, synthetic biology

BHS Opens European Headquarters - REW - Renewable Energy from Waste

BHS Opens European Headquarters - REW - Renewable Energy from Waste

Solar Plane Plans Stops in Phoenix, Dallas, NYC - YouTube

A solar-powered plane that has wowed aviation fans in Europe is set to travel across the United States with stops in Phoenix, Dallas, Washington, D.C., and New York, organizers of the trip announced Thursday. (March 28)

Video (1:00)

Solar Plane Plans Stops in Phoenix, Dallas, NYC - YouTube

GE Press Release:

GE Prototype of World’s Most Efficient High-Output Wind Turbine Operational at European Test Site

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March 28, 2013

• New Brilliant Wind Turbine Analyzes Tens of Thousands of Data Points Every Second for Better Wind Management
• 2.5-120 Prototype Fully Operational at Netherlands Test Facility
• Design to Undergo Testing and Validation through Fall 2013

WIERINGERMEER, NETHERLANDS—March 28, 2013—GE (NYSE: GE) announced today that a prototype of the world’s most efficient high-output wind turbine, the new 2.5-120, is operational at a test site in Wieringermeer, Netherlands. The 2.5-120 is the company’s first brilliant wind turbine, driving higher power output, improving service productivity and creating new revenue streams for customers.

The 2.5-120, announced in January, harnesses the power of the Industrial Internet to analyze tens of thousands of data points every second allowing for management of variable wind sources to provide smooth, predictable power. The turbine integrates energy storage and advanced forecasting algorithms while communicating seamlessly with neighboring turbines, service technicians and operators.

As the first wind turbine to bring together world-class efficiency and power output at low-wind-speed sites, the2.5-120 captures a 25 percent increase in efficiency and a 15 percent increase in power output compared to GE’s current model.

The turbine’s high efficiency and high output unlock higher returns for wind farm operators at low-wind-speed sites. The turbine’s advanced controls and 120-meter rotor enable increased energy capture and greater power output in low-wind areas. The taller tower, which has a maximum hub height of 139 meters, makes it ideal for heavily forested regions in places like Europe and Canada.

GE has worked with ECN, a Dutch independent research institute for renewable energy, for the past decade to validate its newest technologies. The 2.5-120 prototype will be tested and validated in accordance with the highest GE and industry standards through fall 2013.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

About GE Power & Water

GE Power & Water provides customers with a broad array of power generation, energy delivery and water process technologies to solve their challenges locally. Power & Water works in all areas of the energy industry including renewable resources such as wind and solar, biogas and alternative fuels; and coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy. The business also develops advanced technologies to help solve the world’s most complex challenges related to water availability and quality. Power & Water’s six business units include Distributed Power, Nuclear Energy, Power Generation Services, Renewable Energy, Thermal Products and Water & Process Technologies. Headquartered in Schenectady, N.Y., Power & Water is GE’s largest industrial business.

Follow GE Power & Water and GE’s renewables business on Twitter @GE_PowerWater and @GErenewables.

NY Auto Show: Infiniti Q50 Hybrid Sedan - YouTube

The new Infiniti Q50 hybrid sedan was on display at the New York Auto Show. Featuring LED headlamps, dual internal LCD screens, and more, the vehicle's pricing starts at $36,450. WSJ's Lee Hawkins spoke with Infiniti VP Ben Poore about the Q50.

Video (3:58)

NY Auto Show: Infiniti Q50 Hybrid Sedan - YouTube

How Crowdfunding Could Save Solar Industry - YouTube

March 28 (Bloomberg) -- Mosaic Co-Founder Billy Parish discusses crowdfunding for solar energy projects with Erik Schatzker on Bloomberg Television's "Money Moves." (Source: Bloomberg)

Video (2:58)

How Crowdfunding Could Save Solar Industry - YouTube

First Annual Renewable Energy from Waste Conferenc - REW - Renewable Energy from Waste

First Annual Renewable Energy from Waste Conferenc - REW - Renewable Energy from Waste

Energy Opportunities of the Future

Gale Klappa, CEO of Wisconsin Energy Corp., discusses the country's energy needs and where we should be focused on development. We're paying too much attention to natural gas, he says, because there is no perfect fuel source. Klappa is a big believer in fuel diversity, including renewables like solar.

Video (6:00)

Energy Opportunities of the Future

This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

March 27, 2013

Energy Department Launches Bold New Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative

By David Danielson, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

On March 26, I announced the Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative at the ribbon cutting of a new facility that I believe represents the kind of strong public-private partnerships we will need to build to ensure American leadership in clean energy manufacturing: the Carbon Fiber Technology Facility at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

The Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative aims to:

Increase U.S. competitiveness in the production of clean energy products—a key economic opportunity for America to innovate, compete and lead the way in a growing global marketplace.

Increase manufacturing competitiveness by increasing energy productivity in the U.S. manufacturing sector. This includes the use of advanced manufacturing technologies, implementation of energy efficiency measures, the capture of combined heat and power opportunities and taking advantage of low-cost natural gas to help American manufacturers across the board compete in the global marketplace.

Helping U.S. manufacturers succeed in the global marketplace is one of my top priorities here at the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. During the State of the Union last month, President Obama re-emphasized the Administration’s commitment to American manufacturing, declaring that "Our first priority is making America a magnet for new jobs and manufacturing." The clean energy sector represents one of the most promising areas for the United States to re-invigorate its manufacturing base and create good paying American jobs. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog.

This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

March 27, 2013

Brazil and the United States Advance Their Strategic Energy Dialogue

Representatives of the United States and Brazil met in mid-March in Brasilia, Brazil, to advance the Strategic Energy Dialogue, a presidential-level partnership that provides an overarching framework to deepen energy cooperation between the two nations' energy sectors. The Strategic Energy Dialogue, announced by President Obama and Brazilian President Rousseff in March 2011, created a series of bilateral initiatives involving biofuels, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and the Smart Grid, as well as initiatives for oil and gas development and nuclear power.

Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) met with Mãrcio Pereira Zimmermann, Brazil's deputy minister of mines and energy, to co-chair the second meeting of the Strategic Energy Dialogue. According to a joint statement released at the meeting, the bilateral dialogue has significantly advanced cooperation between the two countries on biofuels, including analysis work on the sustainability of biofuels, research and development of biofuel conversion technologies, and cooperation on aviation biofuels. The meeting highlighted an agreement between Brazilian oil producer Petrobas and DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory to develop technology for producing advanced biofuels and to evaluate the emissions produced by these biofuels. Brazil and the United States have also agreed to cooperate on biofuels projects in other countries and to share their plans for biofuel production and supply, potentially complementing each other's biofuel production.

In the area of renewable energy and energy efficiency, DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is helping Eletrobas—the largest electric utility in Latin America—to develop a test center for building components while DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is helping Cepel, Eletrobas' research arm, with industrial energy efficiency topics. The Energy Department and Cepel also organized a workshop on distributed wind generation in August 2012. The two countries are preparing to hold a workshop in Rio de Janeiro in September 2013 focused on the Smart Grid and electricity transmission. See the Energy Department press release and the joint statement on the Strategic Energy Dialogue.

This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

March 27, 2013

DOE Study: Deep Cuts Possible in Transportation Petroleum Use, Emissions

A study released by two U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories on March 15 reveals strategies to reduce petroleum use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector by more than 80% by 2050. The Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) prepared the Transportation Energy Futures study, which was funded by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The study found that there's no "silver bullet" that will achieve deep cuts in petroleum use and GHG emissions on its own. Instead, a coordinated approach on all fronts examined by the study is needed to achieve the deep cuts.

The Transportation Energy Futures study consists of nine reports, which focus on deploying advanced technologies in light-duty vehicles (cars and light trucks); non-cost barriers to advanced technologies, such as range anxiety in electric vehicles; opportunities to improve the fuel efficiency of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, off-road vehicles and equipment, aircraft, marine vessels, and railways; opportunities to switch modes of freight, such as shifting freight from trucks to rail and ships; the infrastructure expansion required for low-GHG fuels; biomass resource issues for biofuels; opportunities to reduce transportation demand through urban planning and community development; trip reduction through mass transit, carpooling, teleworking, shopping online, and efficient driving; and the impacts of trends in freight demand. See the NREL press release and the Transportation Energy Futures project webpage.

A report by the National Research Council (NRC), focused only on light-duty vehicles and also sponsored by EERE, similarly found that petroleum use and GHG emissions could be cut 80% by 2050 using a combination of more efficient petroleum-based vehicles; alternative fuels such as biofuels, electricity, and hydrogen; and strong government policies to overcome higher costs. The report also concludes that it is impossible to know which advanced technologies will succeed, so the best approach is to promote government- and industry-supported research and development for a portfolio of vehicle and fuel technologies that aims to solve the critical challenges facing each technology. See the National Academies press release and report.

This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

March 27, 2013

Winners Announced for Energy Efficient Lighting Design Competition

The Energy Department on March 20 announced the winners of the fifth annual Next Generation Luminaires™ Design competition for indoor lighting. Sponsored by the Energy Department, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and the International Association of Lighting Designers, the competition promotes excellence in the design of energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) commercial lighting fixtures, or "luminaires." Solid-state lighting technologies, which include both LED and organic LED technologies, have the potential to save U.S. consumers $30 billion a year in energy costs by 2030.

A panel of 11 judges from the architectural lighting design community evaluated nearly 100 indoor lighting entries based on lighting quality, appearance, serviceability, efficacy, value, and dimming. The winners represent three different manufacturers and cover three distinct indoor lighting areas. Juno Lighting Group of Des Plaines, Illinois, was awarded "best in class" for its Trac-Master T254L Cylindra™ track-mounted accent luminaire. Digital Lumens of Boston, Massachusetts, was awarded "best in class" for its XLE-3-10 Xpress high-bay industrial luminaire. Additionally, Acuity Brands/Lithonia Lighting of Conyers, Georgia, was awarded "best in class" for its W Series LED stairwell luminaire.

In addition to the three "best in class" winners, 25 other entries were judged as meeting the rigorous requirements of the competition. These recognized winners represent a wide range of manufacturers and lighting applications, including linear lighting, linear pendant lighting, personal task lighting, under-cabinet lighting, wall washing, and utility lighting. See the Energy Department Progress Alert, the Next Generation Luminaries Design Competition website, and Energy Department's Solid-State Lighting website.

This is an excerpt from EERE Network News, a weekly electronic newsletter.

March 27, 2013

ARPA-E Offers $40 Million for Research into Cleaner, Cheaper Transportation

The Energy Department on March 22 announced that approximately $40 million from its Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) will be made available for two new programs to develop technologies that shift U.S. cars and trucks from reliance on oil. One program will develop cost-effective and energy-efficient manufacturing techniques to process and recycle metals that could help make lighter vehicles. The second program will develop biological technologies that will improve the conversion of natural gas to liquids for transportation fuels, that can reduce vehicle emissions compared to conventional gasoline engines.

The Modern Electro/Thermochemical Advancements for Light-metal Systems (METALS) program, which has $20 million in available funding, will develop innovative technologies for cost-effective processing and recycling of aluminum, magnesium, and titanium. These metals have high strength-to-weight ratios that make them ideal for creating lighter vehicles that can save fuel and reduce carbon emissions. Utilizing domestically available ores and reducing energy inputs and emissions from processing can make light metals cost-competitive with current materials, such as steel. METALS will also develop technologies for rapid and efficient light metal sorting to enable domestic recycling. See the funding opportunity announcement.

The Reducing Emissions using Methanotrophic Organisms for Transportation Energy (REMOTE) program, which has $20 million in available funding, will develop transformational biological technologies to convert gas to liquids for transportation fuels. Using unique biological conversion methods, REMOTE will develop innovative catalysts and lab scale reactors to efficiently convert natural gas. Current gas-to-liquids approaches are technologically complex and require large, capital-intensive facilities, which limit widespread adoption. This program aims to lower the cost of gas-to-liquids conversion while enabling the use of low cost, domestically sourced natural gas for transportation, and reduce vehicle emissions compared to conventional gasoline engines. See the funding opportunity announcement.

ARPA-E was launched in 2009 to seek out transformational, breakthrough technologies that show fundamental technical promise but are too early for private-sector investment. These projects have the potential to produce major breakthroughs in energy technology, form the foundation for entirely new industries, and have large commercial impacts. To date, ARPA-E has funded 285 projects across 33 states, with $770 million in funding. See the Energy Department press release and the ARPA-E website.

Metso Looking at Selling Off Pulp, Paper and Power - REW - Renewable Energy from Waste

Metso Looking at Selling Off Pulp, Paper and Power - REW - Renewable Energy from Waste

Sprint Newsroom | Sprint Expands Environmental Commitment with Energy Management System in Retail Stores

Sprint Newsroom | Sprint Expands Environmental Commitment with Energy Management System in Retail Stores

Raytheon News Release:

Raytheon receives 6th consecutive ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award

<< [Back to News Release Archive]

Reflects continued commitment to environmental stewardship

WALTHAM, Mass., March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) was recognized with a sixth consecutive 2013 ENERGY STAR^® Sustained Excellence Award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for ongoing leadership in energy conservation, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and innovative energy efficiency practices.

"EPA is recognizing the Raytheon Company for earning EPA's highest ENERGY STAR award -- the 2013 Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award," said Bob Perciasepe, Acting Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Raytheon leads the field with their commitment to energy efficiency and demonstrates how all Americans can save energy, save money, and create a healthier environment."

Raytheon was selected for the Sustained Excellence Award from about 20,000 public and private sector ENERGY STAR partners. The company has received nine awards in its 13 years of participation in the ENERGY STAR program.

"Energy conservation has long been an area of focus at Raytheon, and it is at the top of our list of 15 sustainability goals," said Raytheon Chairman and CEO William H. Swanson. "Yet achieving these goals and reducing energy consumption at a global company requires a committed and engaged team, which is something we are very fortunate to have at Raytheon. This recognition is a credit to the entire Raytheon team."

Raytheon's achievements in energy conservation are driven by companywide dedication by its employees. Their efforts resulted in numerous energy conservation and sustainability accomplishments in 2012, including:

• Building upon a strong energy culture to create more than 38,000 employee "Energy Citizens for Life," who are committed to promoting energy best practices.
• Implementing more than 200 energy projects -- with a goal of collectively avoiding an estimated $3 million annually in energy costs.
• Developing a continuous commissioning initiative to optimize heating, ventilation and cooling system operations.
• Integrating energy findings and activities into an overall lean manufacturing competition to further engage employees and align with strategic goals.

About the ENERGY STAR programENERGY STAR was introduced in 1992 as a voluntary labeling program designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Today, through its partnerships with more than 17,000 private and public sector organizations, ENERGY STAR delivers the technical information and tools that organizations and consumers can utilize to select energy-efficient solutions and best management practices. Over the last 20 years, with help from ENERGY STAR, American families and businesses have saved more than $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.8 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. For more about ENERGY STAR, visit http://www.energystar.gov/

About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2012 sales of $24 billion and 68,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 91 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems; as well as a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @raytheon.

Media Contact
Dave Desilets
+1.781.522.5855
corporatepr@raytheon.com

SOURCE Raytheon Company

GE Press Release:

GE Lighting Earns Eighth Consecutive ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award

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March 27, 2013

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio – March 27, 2013 – (NYSE:GE) – For the eighth straight year – a longer run than any other lighting manufacturer – GE Lighting has been recognized with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award . This award acknowledges outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency.

GE Lighting’s Steve Briggs, global product general manager, accepted the award Tuesday at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“Energy efficiency is what drives our innovation and development at GE, and the ENERGY STAR program is one that we continue to embrace in the evolution of lighting,” says Briggs. “To have been recognized eight years in a row and achieve a run of wins other manufacturers haven’t been able to record speaks volumes to our commitment to advance energy-efficient light bulbs consumers will embrace.”

GE Lighting was recognized for its support of the ENERGY STAR program through a variety of initiatives, including an extensive ENERGY STAR®-qualified product portfolio and continuous support of the ENERGY STAR brand and the GE ecomagination℠ program, the company’s commitment to solving energy challenges.

GE Lighting offered ENERGY STAR-qualified bulbs in a total of 607 consumer packaged options in 2012, including 198 ENERGY STAR-qualified LED packages.

In the more than 50 years since LED diodes were invented by GE scientist Nick Holonyak, GE has been a leader in LED innovation and has been dedicated to creating the most energy-efficient and sustainable products on the market. This commitment led GE to be the first U.S. lighting manufacturer to receive ENERGY STAR qualification for an omnidirectional LED bulb designed to replace a standard incandescent bulb.

Other noteworthy energy-savings initiatives included illuminating the National Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C., for the 50^th year. The tree sparkled in 2012 with thousands of GE ENERGY STAR-qualified LED lights.

Visit www.gelighting.com to learn more about GE Lighting’s commitment to the ENERGY STAR program. To learn more about GE’s commitment to innovative solutions to today’s environmental challenges while driving economic growth, visit www.ecomagination.com.

About ENERGY STARENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money, and help protect the environment for future generations. Nearly 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, and buildings. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visitwww.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

About GE LightingGE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs about 15,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx™, Immersion™, Infusion™, Lumination™, Albeo™ and Tetra® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com.

Ghosn: Electric Car Important Segment of Industry

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor, Renault, says the automobile industry is on the forefront of zero-emission electric cars.

Video (4:38)

Ghosn: Electric Car Important Segment of Industry

Oak Ridge National Laboratory - ORNL carbon fiber facility dedicated

Oak Ridge National Laboratory - ORNL carbon fiber facility dedicated

Energy Department Launches New Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative

Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Features & Highlights

EPA and DOE Recognize 2013 Energy Star Partners of the Year

EPA News Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 26, 2013

EPA and DOE Recognize 2013 Energy Star Partners of the Year

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are recognizing 118 awardees for their commitment to saving energy and protecting the environment. Recipients of the 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award include Sears Holdings Corporation, PepsiCo, JC Penney, Food Lion, USAA Real Estate, Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, and Toyota.
“This year's Energy Star award winners have gone above and beyond to save energy and cut greenhouse gases,” said EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “Their commitment to superior energy efficiency not only makes these organizations valuable partners in our effort for a cleaner, healthier environment, but it also helps them reduce their day-to-day energy costs – an important feat for any organization.”

“The Energy Department applauds the ingenuity and success of the 2013 Energy Star award winners,” said DOEAssistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy David Danielson. “These organizations are showing firsthand how energy efficiency improvements save money by saving energy – cutting energy waste, creating jobs nationwide, and protecting our air and water.”

The winners were chosen from nearly 20,000 Energy Star partners, including manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies, and home builders, for their long-term commitment to climate protection through greater energy efficiency. Energy Star partners complete a rigorous application process that demonstrates their commitment to the partnership and the environment.

Organizations are recognized in the following categories:

Partners of the Year--Sustained Excellence: The 70 Sustained Excellence winners continue to exhibit exceptional leadership year after year in the Energy Star program while remaining dedicated to environmental protection through superior energy efficiency.

Partners of the Year: Forty-one organizations are receiving a Partner of the Year award for strategically and comprehensively managing their energy use. These organizations promote Energy Star products and practices in their own operations, in addition to providing efficient products and services to consumers and within their community.

Excellence: Seven winners are receiving awards in part for their superior efforts in the Home Performance with Energy Star program. The remaining organizations receive Excellence Awards and other special recognition for specific activities to promote energy-efficient products, homes or buildings.

For more than two decades, American consumers and businesses have continued to save energy and protect the environment through the Energy Star program. In 2012 alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $24 billion on their energy bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 41 million vehicles. To date, more than 1.4 million new homes and nearly 20,000 office buildings, schools, and hospitals have earned the Energy Star. Since 1993, more than 4.5 billion Energy Star certified products have been sold.

Complete list of winners: www.energystar.gov/awards
R046

Policies converge to drive anaerobic digestion in USA

Policies converge to drive anaerobic digestion in USA

Biomass Thermal Energy Council Board of Directors - REW - Renewable Energy from Waste

Biomass Thermal Energy Council Board of Directors - REW - Renewable Energy from Waste

NREL: News Feature - Makeover Puts CHARMM Back in Business

NREL: News Feature - Makeover Puts CHARMM Back in Business

Ethanol the Enemy?

Discussing the fierce debate that ethanol requirements are driving up gas prices, with Gen. Wesley Clark, Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and Dan Dicker, TheStreet.com

Video (8:50)

Ethanol the Enemy?

Ecoverse Industries Acquires N40 Inc. - REW - Renewable Energy from Waste

Ecoverse Industries Acquires N40 Inc. - REW - Renewable Energy from Waste

China's Suntech Wuxi pushed into bankruptcy - Mar. 21, 2013

China's Suntech Wuxi pushed into bankruptcy - Mar. 21, 2013

GE Press Release:

GE’s Albeo™ LED High Bay Lighting Fixture Earns Recognition in Next Generation Luminaires™ Competition

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March 20, 2013

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio — March 20, 2013 — (NYSE: GE) — GE Lighting’s Albeo™ ABHX-Series LED High Bay lighting fixture has been recognized in the category of “Industrial Luminaires - high bay” in the 2013 Next Generation Luminaires™ (NGL) Solid-State Lighting Design Indoor Competition. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and the International Association of Lighting Designers, the NGL awards were created to recognize excellence in energy-efficient LED commercial lighting unit design.

The ABHX-Series LED lighting fixture, a product of GE Lighting’s recent acquisition of Albeo Technologies, is designed for industrial buildings, warehouses, cold storage and other commercial spaces with high ceilings. It covers a wide range of light outputs that include 400W to 1500W HID and four- to eight-lamp T5/T8 HIF high bay lighting. It is the next generation of the award-winning H-Series, which was the first one-for-one LED replacement for up to 1500W metal-halide systems. Utilizing the same innovative heat sinking and LED technology, the Albeo™ ABHX-Series offers more lumens from fewer modules and can be equipped with wireless and motion controls.

A total of 156 products were proposed for submission to the 2013 NGL indoor competition and 99 made it to the judgment phase. The judges then identified 28 products as Recognized, meaning that they were considered worthy of specification in the application for which they were designed. NGL entries are evaluated by a panel drawn from the architectural lighting community and are judged on lighting quality, appearance, serviceability, efficacy, value, and dimming.

"The Next Generation Luminaires Solid State Lighting Design Competition showcases excellence in LED lighting, so we’re thrilled GE’s Albeo™ LED high bay lighting garnered attention and high marks from the judges,” said Jeff Bisberg, CEO of Albeo Technologies, a GE Lighting business. “We’re proud of our ABHX-Series and believe it is the ideal solution for business owners looking for quality high bay luminaires that reduce maintenance and energy costs."

Indoor awards were presented in New York City on March 20 at LEDucation 7, an annual conference for lighting and design professionals.

Outdoor products were evaluated separately, and winners were recognized Feb. 14 at the Strategies in Light conference in Santa Clara, Calif. GE Lighting’s Evolve™ LED Scalable Cobrahead fixture earned a Best-in-Class designation in the “Roadway Lighting” category.

For more information or to view the NGL Indoor Showcase brochure that highlights all winning fixtures, visithttp://www.ngldc.org/.

For more information about GE’s high bay fixtures, visit www.gelighting.com. To learn more about GE’s commitment to innovative solutions to today’s environmental challenges while driving economic growth, visitwww.ecomagination.com.

About GE Lighting
GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs about 15,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx™, Immersion™, Infusion™, Lumination™, Albeo^TM and Tetra® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com.

50 Years of LED Innovation
Oct. 9, 1962, GE scientist Dr. Nick Holonyak, Jr., invented the first practical visible-spectrum light-emitting diode (LED). In the 50 years since, GE has been on the forefront of LED innovation. The company has released inspired LED products for both residential and commercial settings, from the first ENERGY STAR®-qualified A19-shaped LED bulb to LED street lighting that illuminates cityscapes the world over.