energy

The Illinois Coalition report concludes that hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in Illinois could produce sustainable economic growth and environmental benefits for years to come. The hydrogen highway would be an area of approximately 120 miles along interstate 90, and act as a corridor of hydrogen energy demonstration projects with a fueling station situated about every 20 miles.

This paper looks at the status and prospects of renewables—with particular emphasis on windpower—in the electric power sector. Although renewables account for a steadily rising share of electricity generation in various countries, their role remains small in absolute terms, according to the paper.

The report identifies some of the technological and infrastructure-related challenges widespread adoption of fuel cells. It also provides a snapshot of current policies and activities around the world that seek to address these challenges.

The study analyzes potential markets, manufacture and cost of fuel cells for portable power application and provides a competitive overview of major fuel cell developers and suppliers. A technology assessment and cost reduction opportunities is provided as well.

The report by the independent nonprofit Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) finds that in the absence of federal leadership, 19 states have acted to increase the nations supply of wind, solar and other renewable energy resources. UCS estimates the 19 states that have enacted renewable electricity standards or funds will increase total U.S. renewable energy capacity 113 percent by 2017.

The authors develop a cost index–based measure of the expected consumer welfare gains from innovation in electricity generation technologies. To illustrate their approach, the authors estimate how much better off consumers would be from 2000 to 2020 as renewable energy technologies continue to be improved and gradually adopted, compared with a counterfactual scenario that allows for continual improvement of conventional technology.

NextEnergy is a comprehensive economic development plan to make Michigan a leader in the research, development, commercialization and manufacture of alternative energy technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells. The blueprint proposes the creation of a 700-acre, tax-free NextEnergyZone in York Township near Ann Arbor, building the NextEnergy Center there and attracting alternative energy companies from around the world to the zone, making it a cluster of energy innovation.

The study prepared by the Center for Automotive Research within the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan is a strategic plan and market study call for the state and automotive industry to jointly create a Michigan Advanced Automotive Powertrain Technology Alliance along with other initiatives.

The General Accounting Office report on the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles. Cooperative research demonstrates some of the difficulties public-private research collaborations encounter when attempting to measure results or progress.

The National Research Council report continues to examine the overall adequacy and balance of the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles research program and discusses ongoing research on fuels, propulsion engines, and emission controls to meet requirements.