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Energy Blog

April 19, 2013
World energy leaders at the ribbon cutting for the CEM Innovation Showcase Pavilion, from L to R: Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Indian Minister of New & Renewable Energy; South African Energy Minister Dipuo Peters; U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu; Deputy Chairman of Indian Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
A Global Sustainable Energy Future

The U.S. and countries around the world collectively face significant energy challenges. Participating nations in the Clean Energy Ministerial are working together to solve them.

April 18, 2013
NREL Scientist Bryon Donohoe looks at different views of ultra structures of pre-treated biomass materials in the Cellular Visualization room of the Biomass Surface Characterization Lab. | Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL.
On the Path to Low Cost Renewable Fuels, an Important Breakthrough

New breakthroughs in cellulosic ethanol production.

April 18, 2013
Hot New Advances in Water Heating Technology

Need to replace your water heater? Learn how to choose the right model for you and what the Energy Department is doing to develop the next generation of energy-efficient and affordable water heating technologies.

April 17, 2013
The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment is a particle detector which was lofted to the International Space Station onboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour about two years ago. | Image courtesy of NASA.
Dark Matter and a Definite Non-Definite

The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer experiment, a particle detector located aboard the International Space Station and funded in part by the Energy Department, recently reported a potential signal, a definite non-definite, of mysterious dark matter.

April 17, 2013
This Lakewood, Colorado home was built in 1956. Brent and Mo Nelson upgraded the home with multiple solar technologies including; daylighting, passive solar and active solar. They also have an 80 gallon solar hot water heater. | Photo by Dennis Schroeder, National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Solar, Wind, Hydropower: Home Renewable Energy Installations

A guide to figuring out if solar, wind or other small renewable energy system is right for you.

April 16, 2013
Located near the Long Island Sound, Deborah Wetzel's condo is cold and drafty eight months out of the year. A home energy audit and small energy efficiency upgrades helped Wetzel improve the comfort of her home while saving money on energy bills. | Photo courtesy of Deborah Wetzel.
Small Changes Help Long Island Homeowner Save Big on Energy Costs

Profiling how a home energy audit and small energy efficiency upgrades helped one homeowner save big on her energy bills.

April 15, 2013
Concentrated solar panels are getting a power boost. This summer, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) will be testing a new concentrated solar power system -- one that can help natural gas power plants reduce their fuel usage by up to 20 percent. PNNL has developed a system that uses a thermochemical conversion device to convert natural gas and sunlight into a more energy-rich fuel called syngas. By installing the pictured device in front of a concentrating solar power dish, power plants can burn less fuel. <a href="
http://www.pnnl.gov/news/release.aspx?id=981" target=_blank">Learn more about concentrated solar energy at PNNL</a>. | Photo courtesy of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Photo of the Week: Boosting Solar Technology

Check out our favorite energy-related photos!

April 15, 2013
The development of clean, affordable nuclear power options is a key element of the Energy Department's Nuclear Energy Research and Development Roadmap. As a part of this strategy, a high priority of the Department has been to help accelerate the timelines for the commercialization and deployment of small modular reactor (SMR) technologies through the SMR Licensing Technical Support program. | Photo by the Energy Department.
Expanding Options for Nuclear Power

Investments in Small Modular Reactors are helping to support safe, efficient nuclear technologies across America.

April 12, 2013
Learn the basics of enhanced geothermal systems technology. I Infographic by <a href="http://energy.gov/contributors/sarah-gerrity">Sarah Gerrity</a>.
Enhanced Geothermal in Nevada: Extracting Heat From the Earth to Generate Sustainable Power

Innovative clean energy project is up and running in Nevada.

April 12, 2013
Sandina Ponte, a member of the University of Missouri's Industrial Assessment Center, inspects equipment at a manufacturing facility during an energy audit. | Photo courtesy of University of Missouri IAC.
Industrial Assessment Centers Train Future Energy-Savvy Engineers

Learn how the Energy Department's Industrial Assessment Centers are helping develop a new generation of engineers capable of confronting the energy challenges faced by U.S. manufacturers.