Results
Learn more about our program accomplishments:
- Advanced Manufacturing Office
- Bioenergy Technologies Office
- Building Technologies Office
- Federal Energy Management Program
- Fuel Cell Technologies Office
- Geothermal Technologies Office
- Vehicle Technologies Office
- Weatherization and Intergovernmental Programs Office
- Wind Program
- Water Power Program
Or learn more about our results and how we measure progress at the EERE corporate level.
What's the bottom line? What does the public get for the funds it invests in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)?
A very broad array of outcomes derive from EERE's technology investment portfolio. This can range from merely eliminating certain technical avenues from further exploration at the minimum end to the development of successfully commercialized technologies that become the basis for entirely new industries. Many EERE-supported technologies that successfully overcome challenging technical barriers yet fail to become commercial successes themselves provide the foundational knowledge or know-how for other technologies that do. Energy prices have an outsized impact on the commercial success of EERE-supported technologies: many technologies that look unappealing at a $50/barrel oil price start to attract considerable interest at $100/barrel oil.
Commercial outcomes refer to EERE-supported technologies that have been successfully patented, manufactured, sold and are in use in the marketplace.
Technical outcomes refer to EERE-supported technologies that, though not yet commercialized, show promise and exhibit reduced cost or improved performance in comparison to existing technologies, processes or products or overcome a technological barrier or challenge of some kind. Often such promising technologies become the basis for further research or experimentation that ultimately leads to commercial success. These technologies may also offer important options in the future if, for example, energy prices increase significantly.
Case studies examine technology development efforts and identify the lessons learned in both successes and failures.
Costs, benefits, and return on investment studies provide detailed quantitative economic (costs, benefits, and bottom line impact) analyses of technology successes and failures.
Intellectual property refers to EERE-supported technologies that have been awarded patents or other forms of intellectual property protection. The granting of a patent signifies a certain level of technical achievement. Though many patented technologies are never commercialized, few, if any, newly commercialized technologies remain unpatented.
External recognition such as R&D 100 Awards or similar esteemed public acknowledgments typically are conferred only on technical achievements of exceptional merit. While such recognition does not always equate to commercial success, increased public attention on such technologies can boost the chances for such success or encourage further public or private investment.