Google is rolling the dice on Alabama. (Tweet this) The Internet and technology giant plans to build a new data center in the state at the site of a former coal-fired power plant. In a blog post Wednesday, Google said the center—its 14th globally—will repurpose the plant’s existing infrastructure to run on renewable energy. Google… Keep reading →
It’s been a great year for the solar energy industry. By the end of 2014, solar deployment is slated to be up nearly 40% over 2013. Today, the booming demand for solar energy supports more than 173,000 jobs and the U.S. has become the third largest solar market in the world. You can find solar… Keep reading →
The future is on display at the Washington Auto Show and on a road near you. Advanced vehicles featuring hydrogen fuel cells, innovative rechargeable batteries and cutting edge materials not only show promise for tomorrow — they’re available today. Swipe through the slideshow above to see some of the vehicles and new technologies on display.… Keep reading →
This week, following the successful hosting of the G20 summit, the Australian Federal Government signed a declaration of intention with China to bring into force a China-Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA). The agreement comes after a decade of negotiations between the two countries and is expected to be worth up to AUD18 billion to the Australian economy over the next few years. The agreement will ensure 85% of all Australian exports will enter the Chinese market tariff-free, rising to 93% within four years and 95% once it is fully operational.
Energy Department Recognizes 11 Manufacturers for Energy Efficiency Achievements Better Plants Partners Rack Up Energy Savings as Partnership Continues to Grow Washington, D.C.—Building on the Administration’s efforts to double energy productivity and help American businesses save money by saving energy, the Energy Department today recognized 11 companies that have met ambitious energy-efficiency goals through the… Keep reading →
On September 15, 2014, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2996, the Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation (RAMI) Act. The Act “earmarks up to $300 million in federal funding — $30 million annually for 10 years” from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy account, and would be available to regional centers to develop new products and train workforces. Fields mentioned in the bill as eligible for the money include “nanotechnology, advanced ceramics, photonics and optics, composites, biobased and advanced materials, flexible hybrid technologies and tool development for microelectronics.” The RAMI Act has a companion bill in the Senate where it could be voted on as early as this fall. More information on the RAMI Act is available online. The full text of the RAMI Act can be found online.
An Energy Boom Lifts the Heartland NY Times: Waist-high weeds and a crumbling old Chevy mark the entrance to a rust-colored factory complex on the edge of town here, seemingly another monument to the passing of the golden age of American industry. But deep inside the 14-acre site, the thwack-thwack-thwack sound of metal on metal tells… Keep reading →
The 2014 American Energy & Manufacturing Competitiveness (AEMC) Summit taking place in Washington DC next week couldn’t come at a more interesting time. News of increasing US manufacturing competiveness seems to be popping up all the time, boosted by the country’s energy production renaissance that has reduced feedstock costs for many manufacturers. This is rejuvenating… Keep reading →
Gas-to-liquids plants that is. Facilities that convert natural gas into liquid transportation fuels like diesel and gasoline have become potentially attractive given current ample US natural gas supply and the fuel’s comparatively low price compared with other regional markets around the world. This attractively-priced feedstock has already spurred a spate of chemical plant expansions and… Keep reading →
Across Alabama, manufacturing facilities are participating in a program aimed at increasing competitiveness through efficient production processes, reducing waste, lowering costs, growing jobs and encouraging innovation. The program, called E3, is a joint federal initiative between the Energy Department’s State Energy Program (SEP), the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor, the Small Business Administration and the… Keep reading →
