The U.S. Department of Energy joined with the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) and its Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship today to announce the opening of the $12 million i6 Green Challenge, which will also be conducted in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, and Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.i6 Green Challenge

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the launch of a new online collaboration tool and data resource focused on bioenergy. The “Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework” allows researchers, policymakers, and investors to share large data sets, as well as the latest bioenergy research. The Framework also facilitates collaborative production, integration, and analysis of information. Registered users will be able to contribute additional data sets that can then be shared, growing the body of knowledge, better informing this growing industry, and eliminating “information silos.” The Framework allows simultaneous geographic mapping of complex data sets such as biomass feedstock production, fueling stations, and biorefineries on a national, state, and even county-level basis – providing the bioenergy industry an analytical tool for identifying new opportunities for research, supportive policies, and project investment. The Framework is part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to developing homegrown, sustainable, and plentiful sources of clean energy, like biofuels. Continue reading →

Dr. David Dzombak, Carnegie Mellon University, will be the featured speaker at a seminar from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., on Wednesday – February 23, 2011.   His lecture, “Need and Challenge of Alternative Water Sources for Use in Electric Power Production,” will provide an overview of the water-energy challenge facing the United States, and will examine the need for and challenges of using alternatives to freshwater for power plant cooling.

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Technologies Program is offering a Webinar on Tuesday, January 18, 2011, from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Eastern titled “National Residential Efficiency Measures Database Unveiled.” Register now to attend this free Webinar   (   https://www.mymeetings.com/emeet/rsvp/index.jsp?customHeader=mymeetings&Conference_ID=2155167&passcode=7170033  ) Continue reading →

On January 24, DOE will present a Webinar from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time   titled “Improving Photosynthesis for Hydrogen and Fuels Production” in conjunction with the Biomass Program.  If you would like to learn more about the Webinar and to register, go to   http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/webinars.html Continue reading →

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Biomass Program is hosting a Webinar on Thursday, November 18, 2010, from 3:00-4:30 p.m. EST, entitled “Advanced Biofuels Research Pathways.” This Web conference is the second installment in the Biomass Program’s Webinar series, which will cover many of the program’s activities and feature “Hot Topics” discussions relevant to the development of renewable fuels, power, and products from biomass resources.

This Webinar will feature an overview of the program’s ongoing advanced biofuels research and will include presentations on biochemical and thermochemical conversions. This session will also discuss the progress the National Advanced Biofuels Consortium (NABC) is making in research, development, and demonstration of process technology strategies to convert biomass feedstock into a form that can be used in a petroleum refinery. These new and innovative approaches can advance the commercialization and adoption of advanced biofuels.

Registration:  This Webinar is free to all participants, but as space is limited, be sure to register in advance. You will receive the URL, password, and phone number via e-mail prior to the Webinar.  You will need this information in order to connect.  Please click here for more Webinar information.

For Participant Registration and General Information Contact:  Nebraska Farmers Union:  402-476-8815
For Exhibitor or Sponsor Information Contact:  Shawnna Silvius:  402-873-4027 or 620-664-8286

Nebraska Wind Power 2010 Conference Brings In Experts On Wind Ownership Options for Landowners

(LINCOLN) – The agenda has been finalized and speakers announced for the Wind Power 2010 Conference to be held in Kearney at the new Younes Conference Centre November 9-10.  This year’s conference will include three separate tracks, 27 sessions and presentations, 71 wind expert speakers who will provide the latest information on a wide range of wind related topics, and over 40 commercial and non-profit wind based exhibitors.   The agenda and the Conference program are available on the Nebraska Energy Office website at:  http://www.neo.ne.gov/renew/wind-working-group/2010conference/register.htm

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Building Technologies Program is offering a Webinar on Thursday, October 28, 2010, from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Eastern titled “Strategies to Cut Energy Use by 50% in Commercial Buildings.”  You will need to register for this free Webinar.  Read the attached for more information and to register.

A graduate seminar entitled “Long Term Government Savings through Energy Efficiency Technology” was presented on Thursday, September 30, at the Scott Engineering Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  The event was hosted by Jerry Hudgins, Chair of the Electrical Engineering Department and Associate Director of the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research, and the Construction Management Department.  The opening speaker was Ken Haar, Nebraska State Senator from District 21. The agenda and powerpoint presentations are linked to this post.  Graduate Seminar 2010-9-30-UNL Energy Summit UNL EE Graduate Seminar 9-30-2010 Graduate Seminar 2010 309 Task Force Energy Grad Seminar 2010

The former Whittier Junior High School officially reopened Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010, after a two-year, $20 million renovation remade the University of Nebraska-Lincoln building into a state-of-the-art research center. (Kevin Abourezk / JournalStar.com).  View more on the JournalStar website.