In news this week, the DOE faced an imminent funding deadline, the incandescent bulb faced obscurity, U.S. industry leaders faced off with Uncle Sam, and Google (News 
- Alert) offered to reface roofs with solar panels.
Working under an imminent deadline and political pressure, this week the U.S. Department of Energy gave its final approval to $1.2 billion in financing for several projects under Section 1705 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005—which authorizes loan guarantees for certain renewable energy systems, electric power transmission systems and leading edge biofuels projects that commence construction no later than September 30. Three projects received the go-ahead late in the week, leaving a number of major PV solar initiatives on the ledge—and billions in funding on the ledger.
The Energy Independence and Security Act., enacted by the federal government back in 2007 has been resuscitated once again, as the bells toll for the 100-watt incandescent bulb. According to the act, manufacturers are expected to stop producing this bulb in January 2012. Siemens (News - Alert), Sylvania and Synaptic Digital already have bid adieu to the 100 watt in a video.
American industry leaders think that the federal government should be doing more to encourage clean-tech energy innovation. The American Energy Innovation Council (AEIC) has released a report advocates re-establishing America’s energy technology leadership through robust, public investments in research and development. “Only when [government] research is pointing toward the product; then, we can expect the private sector to kick in,” said Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates (News - Alert).
Google recently announced a new program in which it will invest $75 million to help 3,000 homeowners install solar panels on their roofs. The money will be established in a fund that solar panel retailers can tap into to enable them to offer financing plans to buyers (and encourage prospective buyers to make the purchase).
The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), an organization representing parties from across the aviation industry, states that governments across Asia can find a new source of income by producing aviation biofuel. The trend of airlines paying a price premium for using biofuels may soon drop, as more production capacity comes on stream and supply ramps up. In London, Northern California, Sydney and Rome, projects to use municipal waste to produce jet fuel are being developed. To produce aviation biofuels, the mega-cities of Asia could potentially supply millions of tonnes of organic waste material.
A team of UK engineers has produced the “Coffee Car” for the television program “Bang Goes the Theory.”
Bear in mind that this particular accomplishment is not merely that someone was able to get a car to move using coffee beans, but that the car actually broke land speed records. The car was using a process called “gasification” and at one point surpassed 66 miles per hour.
The national telecommunications company in Canada, TELUS, has been presented with Tree Canada's Ultimate Award, an honor given to a partner who has contributed more than $1 million in support toward the stewardship of trees with Tree Canada , a not-for-profit charitable organization established to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in urban and rural environments. Both TELUS and Tree Canada have planted more than 300,000 trees across Canada since 1998.
During recent “On the Road” video series in San Jose, California, TMCnet’s Group Editorial Director Erik Linask met with Stephen Skurnac, president of Sims Recycling Solutions, Americas. Linask asked Sims’ president to shed some light on electronics waste recycling. Recycling is the responsibility of both manufacturers and consumers, according to Skurnac, who said, “Manufacturers must better design the product so it can be recycled easily, as well as educate their customers how it can be recycled responsibly.”
Global consulting and IT services provider Mahindra Satyam announced the development of Ontario's first Smart Grid Research and Innovation Center (RIC) on the University of Waterloo Campus in Ontario, Canada. The objective of the RIC will be to develop a curriculum and related training programs at the University for highly qualified professionals in the smart grid sector, validate and test innovative products and technologies before large-scale implementation, and provide facilities to University faculty and industry leaders for collaborative work in the sector.
Finally, Siemens Industry, Inc., recently announced the availability of “Green Building Operations and Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Public Housing Authorities.” Developed in collaboration with Green Seal (News - Alert), Inc., the manual provides tips for public housing authorities and other building owners to reduce the use of energy, water, and toxic chemicals; and operate facilities in a more sustainable, healthy manner.
Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.
