New Energy Act Calls for Increased Renewable Energy Research

January 2, 2008

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, signed into law on December 19th, calls for accelerated research and development (R&D) and deployment of renewable energy technologies, although all the provisions are subject to congressional appropriations of funds. For solar energy, the act calls for new R&D programs for solar thermal energy storage, daylighting, and solar-powered air conditioning, as well as grant programs for solar industry workforce training and advanced photovoltaic demonstration projects. For geothermal energy, the act calls for a wide range of R&D programs, an expansion of the "GeoPowering the West" program to make it "GeoPowering America," and the creation of a new Center for Geothermal Technology Transfer. The act also establishes a new R&D program for marine and hydrokinetic energy, which includes wave, tidal, current, and thermal technologies that draw on the energy of the ocean or free-flowing rivers. The act includes a measure to establish one or more demonstration centers for marine and hydrokinetic technologies. See Title VI of the new energy act on the Library of Congress Web site, as well as the press release from the Geothermal Energy Association (PDF 85 KB). Download Adobe Reader.