Renewable Energy Technology Programs in the US

Henry Kelly
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy

Renewable energy technologies have the potential to make a significant contribution to energy supplies and provide a key tool for addressing climate change in the US and worldwide. The US Department of Energy is investing in a diverse portfolio of technologies -- technologies using a wide variety of resources, operating at scales ranging from kilowatts to gigawatts, and which include technology readiness levels which range from speculative science to commercial technologies. This talk will review the US portfolio in wind (off shore and on shore), photovoltaics, concentrating solar, biomass, sunlight to fuels, geothermal (low temperature and enhanced), hydroelectric, and hydrokinetics. It will review the status of research, challenges involved in integration renewable generation into conventional electric utility and fuel infrastructures, and the range of actions needed to ensure rapid adoption of renewable technologies.