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New I&I Web Site Features Link to Government Commercialization Resource Portal for Energy Inventors Inventions & Innovations (I&I), within the U.S. Department of Energy, recently launched its redesigned Web site. The new site features an enhanced interactive format and updated information about I&I technologies, partners, funding opportunities, and resources. One improvement is the Pre-Application Self-Assessment Tool, which walks potential grantees through a brief questionnaire and features a schedule of Announcements of Funding Opportunities and links to open announcements. A highlight of the site is the Energy TechNet portal, a one-stop-shop for information on research, development, and commercialization of energy-efficiency and renewable-energy technologies. The Energy TechNet Web site is the only government-sponsored site targeted specifically for individual inventors and small businesses that are developing energy-related technologies. For help with transforming their ideas into commercial realities, I&I grantees and non-grantees alike can utilize the extensive, unbiased information on the site -- much of it available at no cost. Its comprehensive databases of resources, clear and informative discussions about the essential steps of development and commercialization, regularly updated news and events, and hundreds of links to related sites make Energy TechNet an invaluable tool that will increase the development, and therefore adoption, of energy-saving technologies. For I&I's new Web site, Click Here. For Energy TechNet Web site, Click Here. Industrial Motor System Optimization Project Impact Study Two plants from Pennsylvania representing the steel and food processing industry sectors participated in projects which were counted in this study. The total annual savings (energy and maintenance) from the PA project participants were $564,000 and 6,400,000 kWh. The impact study compiled and analyzed data from 41 industrial motor system optimization projects implemented and then developed into DOE case studies between 1995 and 2001. Click here. Pennsylvania Companies to Partner in $20 Million of Industrial Energy Efficiency Projects The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced its selection of 32 new projects to improve energy efficiency in U.S. industry. The Industries of the Future program will fund these projects with a combined total of $61 million. Five of the projects selected include four private companies and two universities located in Pennsylvania. These five projects will receive approximately $20 million from DOE. The various partners involved will also supply another $17 million of their own money in matching funds over the next three years. The awards which include Pennsylvania companies and universities are:
These projects will pursue collaborative research, development and demonstration (RD&D) of new, energy-efficiency technologies and will identify opportunities to boost energy efficiency and productivity in industrial plants using technologies and practices available today. The DOE selected all of the projects for negotiation through an open, competitive solicitation process. Updated 3E Plus Insulation Software A new version of 3E Plus Insulation Thickness Software has just been released by DOE. Download Version 3.2 for the latest methodology to determine boiler steam line insulation. Details. New Product for Managers and Decision-Makers DOE BestPractices has released a new series that highlights the savings that companies have achieved through plant-wide assessments. Details PAIOF Companies Win DOE I&I Award Dr. Wojciech Z. Misiolek, Academic Champion for the Pennsylvania Industries of the Future Program, announced this week that several Pennsylvania companies have been successful in securing funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Inventions and Innovation (I&I) Program. The companies, EMV Technologies, together with Ampal, and New York Wire, as well as Birdsboro Alloying Inc., pooled resources as a result of contacts made during the PAIOF Aluminum meetings at Lehigh University. The project entitled, "Cost Effective Consolidation of Fine Aluminum Scrap for Increased Remelting Efficiency" received a $75,000 grant through a competitive solicitaion process that opened on February 12, 2003, and closed on April 11, 2003. At the close of the solicitation, I&I had received 252 proposals, of which only 9 received funding. The DOE I&I Program provides two levels of funding: Category 1 projects can receive up to $75,000 in funding for conducting early development and establishing technical performance of innovative energy saving ideas and inventions; Category 2 projects can receive up to $250,000 for more well-developed inventions moving toward prototype development or commercialization. New Steam Technical Briefs Available Online These briefs focus on technical analysis of steam process issues, including process control schemes, heat-transfer solutions, fuel-saving heat pumps, and determining the real cost of steam. Details. Pennsylvania Vision and Roadmap Documents Available The Pennsylvania Metalcasting Industries of the Future (IOF) work group has finalized and published their Pennsylvania Metalcasting Vision and Roadmap. The goal of the IOF work group was to assess the current state of the Pennsylvania metalcasting industry and provide a vision for it's future. The roadmap combined with the vision serves as a resource and guideline to formulate collaborative partnerships between Pennsylvania's metalcasters as well as public and private assistance organizations. Please contact David Althoff (717) 705-0372 if you would like to have a printed version. Fan Sourcebook Helps Improve System Performance DOE's Industrial Technologies Program, together with the Air Movement and Control Association (AMCA International), offer a new publication to help industrial plants improve fan system performance. Improving Fan System Performance: A Sourcebook for Industry is a valuable reference for plant/facility personnel that outlines opportunities. The sourcebook also offers practical guidelines and highlights related resources and tools available through DOE and industry. This helpful desk reference describes why the "systems approach" is a cost-effective way to operate and maintain industrial fan systems. Using this approach, fan system operators analyze the supply and demand sides of the system and how they interact. For more infomation click here. Pa. Companies Receive SBIR Grants for 2003 Three Pennsylvania companies have been awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants to determine the feasibility of innovative concepts. Burle Industries, Inc, of Lancaster, received $99,723 in high-energy physics research funds to develop economical, large area, high sensitivity light sensors. Eriez Manufacturing, of Erie, received two grants: $92,623 for evaluation of a novel magnetic activated carbon process for gold recovery, and $98,256 for determining the feasibility of a phosphate recovery circuit for existing waste streams. EverNu Technology, LLC, of Maple Glen, received $99,996 to develop a novel catalyst and process to produce a high-volume commodity from a cheap natural gas component. Winning applications were chosen on the basis of scientific and technical merit from 1,227 applications submitted in 47 technical categories. The SBIR program's objective is to increase the commercialization of federally funded research and development by small innovative businesses. Energy Use in Pa. Are you one of the top energy consumers in Pa. according to DOE? Click here to see the "top 300" energy users in Pa.
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Please call 717-772-5834 or e-mail Ric Illig with Questions, Comments, and Concerns. | Office of Energy and Technology Development |