Research Opportunities Highlighted in Report Lay Out Options for America’s Clean Energy Future
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Energy Department released its second Quadrennial Technology Review
(QTR), which examines the current status of clean energy technologies
and identifies hundreds of clean energy research opportunities that
could support the effort to modernize the power sector as a whole, while
also helping Americans to power their homes, businesses, cars and
trucks more efficiently. The report finds that emerging advanced energy
technologies provide a rich set of options to address the nation’s
economic, security, and environmental challenges, but continued
improvements in cost and performance are crucial to the large-scale
deployment of these technologies.
“The energy sector in the United States has changed dramatically in
recent years due to advances in clean energy technologies, increased oil
and gas production and the increased risk to energy infrastructure from
extreme weather, cybersecurity and other factors,” said Secretary of
Energy Ernest Moniz. ”The Quadrennial Technology Review is intended to
serve as a blueprint for the Energy Department, its National
Laboratories and the public and private sectors as we all work toward
additional future technology breakthroughs that can help to mitigate the
risks of climate change, modernize our energy infrastructure and
enhance our energy security.”
“No challenge poses a greater threat to our future than climate
change, which is primarily caused by carbon pollution from energy use,”
said Dr. John Holdren, Director of the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy. “The QTR makes clear that we have the technological
know-how and innovative spirit to move to a low-carbon economy. It’s up
to us to carry these opportunities through and make them a reality.”
Over the course of six technology chapters – grid modernization,
clean power, buildings, manufacturing, fuels, and transportation – the
QTR examines the current status of energy technologies and research
opportunities to advance them in addition to key enabling science and
energy capabilities.
In completing the review, a number of overarching themes emerged:
- Researchers found that the nation’s energy systems are becoming
increasingly connected through the internet and other technologies,
which may provide a game-changing new paradigm for cost and emissions
reduction.
- The range of options available to meet the nation’s energy needs is
increasing, and this diversification creates a more dependable energy
system and offers consumers new choices.
- The nation has embraced energy efficiency as a way to reduce energy
use and costs, but substantial efficiency opportunities remain untapped.
- Breakthroughs in next generation high-tech tools including x-ray
light sources and supercomputers are helping scientists find new ways to
deliver cheaper, faster clean energy innovation.
The QTR also highlights the dramatic changes that have occurred in
the American energy system over the past four years. The nation has
increased wind energy capacity by 65 percent, increased solar capacity 9
fold, and replaced some of our oldest, least efficient power plants
with cleaner, more efficient ones. At the same time, vehicle gas mileage
has increased to record levels. In the four years since the first QTR
was released, the United States has also become the largest producer of
oil and gas combined. By pursuing the research and development
opportunities, as well as the untapped opportunities for greater energy
efficiency highlighted in the QTR, the U.S. can move closer to its clean
energy future.
Source: http://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-releases-second-quadrennial-technology-review
