Energy.gov

Hundreds of thousands of people found work in the past few years thanks to Recovery Act and Energy Department programs designed to stimulate the economy while creating new power sources, conserving resources and aligning the nation to once again lead the global energy economy.

Like too many Americans, when the recession hit Annette Herrera found herself without a job. For two and a half years she worked the phones and culled the classifieds, searching for an opportunity to work and earn a paycheck. When A123 Systems announced that they were planning to open two new advanced battery plants in Michigan thanks in part to a $249 million grant from the Recovery Act, she applied right away indicating that she’d be willing to take on any position in order to work there.

Director of Public Affairs Dan Leistikow details how investments in battery manufacturing are on pace to employ thousands of Americans and ensure that our country can lead in a growing global industry.

Imagine pulling-up to a fuel station that supplies your car with clean, renewable fuel. Now imagine that, while you’re filling up, this same fuel-station just so happens to be providing power back to an entire industrial facility. Sound a little far-fetched? Perhaps, but, in a first-of-its kind milestone—a new fuel cell and hydrogen energy station in Fountain Valley, CA, is doing just that.

Read about the Liquid Metal Battery -- an innovative emerging technology comprised of liquid metal electrodes of differing densities, which allows the liquids to separate and stratify without the need for any solid separator.

The Green Racing program, a motorsports competition geared toward raising awareness of fuel efficiency, alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies, recently hit a major milestone as the state of Wisconsin played host to the 25th race in the Michelin Green X Challenge. It was the latest in a series of American Le Mans series (ALMS) races in which teams are rewarded not only for the speed in which they complete the race but the efficiency and emissions reduction that their vehicles display.