US Department of Energy Allocates USD 104 Million for Clean Energy Projects
This funding, part of the USD 250 million allocation from President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, marks the first disbursement from the DOE's AFFECT program.
January 18, 2024. By Abha Rustagi
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a USD 104 million investment for energy conservation and clean energy initiatives at 31 Federal facilities.
This funding, part of the USD 250 million allocation from President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, marks the first disbursement from the DOE's Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) program.
Established in 1992, AFFECT aims to assist agencies in reducing energy consumption and saving taxpayers money through various initiatives, including building electrification, geothermal heat pumps, on-site solar generation, and battery energy storage.
The projects align with President Biden's December 2021 Executive Order, calling for a 65 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from Federal operations by 2030 and a net-zero building portfolio by 2045.
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted the significance of the investment, emphasizing the Federal Government's role as the largest consumer of energy. The projects announced will contribute to securing energy independence, combating climate change, and creating a healthier environment.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks underscored the Department of Defense's commitment to adapting to the global energy transition. The selected projects aim to make installations more resilient, enhance critical infrastructure security, and achieve cost savings.
The funding will support projects at various Federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration, the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, the Interior, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs, the General Services Administration, and the Office of Personnel Management.
Selected projects include the installation of rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient systems at the Pentagon, LED lights and PV film at the Department of Transportation's headquarters, and the replacement of boilers with electric boilers at DOE's Hanford Site, among others.
The 31 projects are expected to double the carbon-free electricity capacity at Federal facilities, resulting in 27 MW of additional clean-energy capacity. In the first year, the projects are projected to save over USD 29 million in energy and water costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease energy usage significantly.
Managed by DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), the AFFECT program encourages public-private partnerships, leveraging private investment to make Federal funding go further.
This funding, part of the USD 250 million allocation from President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, marks the first disbursement from the DOE's Assisting Federal Facilities with Energy Conservation Technologies (AFFECT) program.
Established in 1992, AFFECT aims to assist agencies in reducing energy consumption and saving taxpayers money through various initiatives, including building electrification, geothermal heat pumps, on-site solar generation, and battery energy storage.
The projects align with President Biden's December 2021 Executive Order, calling for a 65 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from Federal operations by 2030 and a net-zero building portfolio by 2045.
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm highlighted the significance of the investment, emphasizing the Federal Government's role as the largest consumer of energy. The projects announced will contribute to securing energy independence, combating climate change, and creating a healthier environment.
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks underscored the Department of Defense's commitment to adapting to the global energy transition. The selected projects aim to make installations more resilient, enhance critical infrastructure security, and achieve cost savings.
The funding will support projects at various Federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration, the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, the Interior, Transportation, and Veterans Affairs, the General Services Administration, and the Office of Personnel Management.
Selected projects include the installation of rooftop solar panels and energy-efficient systems at the Pentagon, LED lights and PV film at the Department of Transportation's headquarters, and the replacement of boilers with electric boilers at DOE's Hanford Site, among others.
The 31 projects are expected to double the carbon-free electricity capacity at Federal facilities, resulting in 27 MW of additional clean-energy capacity. In the first year, the projects are projected to save over USD 29 million in energy and water costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease energy usage significantly.
Managed by DOE's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), the AFFECT program encourages public-private partnerships, leveraging private investment to make Federal funding go further.
The second round of AFFECT funding is set to open in January 2024, inviting engagement from energy and sustainability stakeholders across federal agencies, private sector organizations, and utilities.
By: BNN Correspondents
Published: January 18, 2024
In a bid to bolster the growth of clean hydrogen, the US Department of Energy (DoE) has chosen a consortium comprising of the EFI Foundation, S&P Global Inc, and Intercontinental Exchange. This endeavor is a part of a grander USD-7-billion effort by the DoE to promote clean hydrogen as a pivotal energy source.
Push for Clean Hydrogen
The consortium, operating under the banner of the Hydrogen Demand Initiative (H2DI), will work hand in hand with the DoE over the course of the next nine months. Their collective goal is to devise mechanisms that bolster the demand for clean hydrogen. These mechanisms will be directed chiefly at incentivizing the purchase of clean hydrogen that is produced by projects under the US initiative Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs).
Expertise and Collaboration
The consortium brings to the table a diverse range of expertise in clean hydrogen, project finance, and commercial contracting. Other contributors to this initiative include the MIT Energy Initiative’s modeling and analysis group and the law firm Dentons. The collaboration with these organizations aims to mitigate investment risks and stimulate a sustainable demand for clean hydrogen.
Ernest Moniz, the former US Energy Secretary and CEO of EFIF, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with partners to lower the uncertainties associated with clean hydrogen investments and cultivate sustainable demand.
Looking Ahead
A project team is already in place and ready to launch the H2DI in the forthcoming months. Their efforts are aimed at providing demand certainty for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs and de-risking long-term investments in the clean hydrogen sector.
Published: January 18, 2024
In a bid to bolster the growth of clean hydrogen, the US Department of Energy (DoE) has chosen a consortium comprising of the EFI Foundation, S&P Global Inc, and Intercontinental Exchange. This endeavor is a part of a grander USD-7-billion effort by the DoE to promote clean hydrogen as a pivotal energy source.
Push for Clean Hydrogen
The consortium, operating under the banner of the Hydrogen Demand Initiative (H2DI), will work hand in hand with the DoE over the course of the next nine months. Their collective goal is to devise mechanisms that bolster the demand for clean hydrogen. These mechanisms will be directed chiefly at incentivizing the purchase of clean hydrogen that is produced by projects under the US initiative Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs).
Expertise and Collaboration
The consortium brings to the table a diverse range of expertise in clean hydrogen, project finance, and commercial contracting. Other contributors to this initiative include the MIT Energy Initiative’s modeling and analysis group and the law firm Dentons. The collaboration with these organizations aims to mitigate investment risks and stimulate a sustainable demand for clean hydrogen.
Ernest Moniz, the former US Energy Secretary and CEO of EFIF, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with partners to lower the uncertainties associated with clean hydrogen investments and cultivate sustainable demand.
Looking Ahead
A project team is already in place and ready to launch the H2DI in the forthcoming months. Their efforts are aimed at providing demand certainty for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs and de-risking long-term investments in the clean hydrogen sector.
No comments:
Post a Comment