United States, China Gathered for Second Energy Efficiency Forum
June 27, 2011
Approximately 200 U.S. and Chinese delegates from government, industry, academia and civil society groups convened May 5-6, 2011 in Berkeley, California for the Second U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Forum. Hosted by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China, this was the first time the annually rotating forum was held in the United States. The first ever U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Forum took place in Beijing, China in May 2010.
The forum itself is a direct outcome of the U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Action Plan launched by U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao on November 17, 2009 as one of seven initiatives to strengthen cooperation in clean energy between the two countries. As a public-private partnership, the forum intends to bring together U.S. and Chinese counterparts to share experiences and best practices in promoting energy efficiency and to unlock commercial opportunities for energy efficiency while meeting energy and environmental goals. The Energy Efficiency Action Plan, which calls for the two countries to work together to improve energy efficiency in buildings, appliances and industrial facilities, is also one of seven areas of cooperation of the U.S.-China Framework for the Ten year Cooperation on Energy and Environment within the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED).
The forum, held before the third S&ED in Washington, D.C., highlighted the successes to date in this bilateral cooperation, as noted in the opening plenary session on May 6 by Arun Majumdar, DOE ARPA-E Director and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Energy, and Xie Zhenhua, NDRC Vice Chairman. These successes include:
· A successful two-week training program for Chinese mayors visiting the United States, during which mayors shared their experiences with clean energy policies and practices, and bilateral trade in these technologies increased. A reciprocal visit is planned for this year.
· U.S. and China collaboration on China’s establishment of a University Alliance for Industrial Energy Efficiency, which can provide training opportunities for Chinese students in energy management and create opportunities for U.S. export of energy efficiency goods and services.
· Technical collaboration on energy performance ratings systems for windows, labeling programs for energy-efficient equipment and appliances, and energy-efficient building codes, all of which could provide new market opportunities.
Following the morning plenary afternoonbreakout sessions allowed technical experts to discuss energy efficiency in industrial facilities, buildings/appliances, standards and financing. The sessions covered updates on existing policies, practices, initiatives and collaborative projects, as well as discussion of next steps moving forward in achieving the goals of the Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
Prior to the official May 6 kick-off, the first day of the two-day forum on May 5 consisted of tours of LBNL facilities and sites in the surrounding Bay Area showcasing research and advancements in each of the four key sectors (industry, buildings/appliances, standards and financing) included in the Energy Efficiency Action Plan.
The Forum agenda, presentations and other background information can be viewed at: