Weekly Jolt: Essential News for Clean Energy Champions

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law  

DOE Launches $225 Million Program to Lower Utility Bills Through More Efficient Building Codes
In an effort to increase energy efficiency and lower electricity costs by as much as $138 billion over the next 30 years, DOE issued a notice of intent to provide $225 million for states and local governments to expand the implementation of the latest building energy codes and support the development of buildings that use less energy.

Energy Justice

DOE Announces More Than 140 Programs Supporting President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative
DOE released a list of programs that support equitable clean energy deployment and benefit communities that are overburdened, underserved, and have been disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental injustice. DOE also released a guidance document that highlights policy priorities to advancing an equitable clean energy future.

Funding Updates

DOE Awards $10 Million to Projects that Help Manufacturers Adopt and Optimize Clean Energy
EERE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office selected six projects to improve efficiency among major energy users like manufacturers. Three projects will develop systems that provide multiple buildings with heating or cooling from a central power plant supplied by renewable energy sources; three projects will establish technical assistance pilot programs to help manufacturers integrate the latest technologies.

DOE Announces $96 Million to Fund Advancements in Clean Vehicle Technologies  
EERE’s Vehicle Technologies Office seeks research and development projects focused on expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging accessibility, electrifying and using alternative fuels to power non-road vehicles, and creating electric drive components and materials to maximize EV efficiency and affordability. Concept papers are due by August 25.

DOE Awards $3 Million to Computing Projects to Improve Energy Efficiency and Material Performance
Ten high-performance computing projects will leverage the expertise and computing capabilities of DOE’s national labs to improve manufacturing efficiency and explore new materials for clean energy application through state-of-the-art modeling, simulation, and data analysis.

In Case You Missed It 

DOE Selects New Group of Innovators for Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program
DOE has awarded two-year fellowships to a new group of clean energy innovators who will participate in programs at four national labs, where they will have access to the training, technical resources, and support they need to deploy their solutions at scale and launch successful energy and manufacturing businesses.

Podcast Episode on Geothermal Heat Pumps
Catch EERE’s Geothermal Technologies Office program manager Alexis McKittrick on the “Buildings Hub Live” podcast, discussing the role of geothermal heat pumps in decarbonizing U.S. buildings.

Events and Webinars 

Deep Dive Webinar: The H2Os Prize

August 2 | 1 p.m. ET

EERE’s Water Power Technologies Office will discuss the Hydropower Operations Optimization (H2Os) Prize, which supports solutions that can advance hydropower’s contribution to the grid. Register here.

Solar Manufacturing Incubator Funding Opportunity Webinar

August 3 | 3 p.m. ET

Join EERE’s Solar Energy Technologies Office to learn about applying for a $27 million funding opportunity to boost U.S. solar manufacturing. Register here.

The Ultimate Toolbox for Planning Your Clean Energy Future

August 4 | 11 a.m. ET

Learn how the State and Local Planning for Energy (SLOPE) Platform can support your jurisdiction’s energy planning. Register here.

Global Clean Energy Action Forum

September 21-23

Join Secretary Granholm in Pittsburgh, PA, for a three-day event featuring discussions with energy and science experts from 31 countries, technology demonstrations, and other activities. Register here.