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New project will accelerate innovation in clean energy technologies, increase America’s competitiveness and create jobs
Washington, D.C. – A Wisconsin based company has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive $2.8. million for a research project that aims to dramatically improve how the U.S. uses and produces energy. In an announcement made today by Secretary Steven Chu, the DOE – through the Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) – is awarding a total of $92 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to 43 cutting-edge projects that focus on accelerating innovation in green technology while increasing America’s competitiveness in grid scale energy storage, power electronics and energy efficient cooling systems.
“These innovative ideas will play a critical role in our energy security and economic growth,” said Secretary Chu. “It is now more important than ever to invest in a new, clean energy economy.”
“This funding means cutting-edge companies in Wisconsin will be in an even stronger position to lead our country into the new energy economy,” Senator Russ Feingold said. “By investing in energy efficiency technologies, we are not only helping Wisconsin’s economy, but we can also reduce our dependence on oil and fossil fuels while lowering energy costs. I will continue to support Wisconsin businesses and research institutions working to create jobs and address our nation’s energy challenges.”
“This is great news for Milwaukee and for Astronautics. Astronautics has a long history of innovation and we’re proud to have Astronautics as a Milwaukee company,” said Mayor Tom Barrett.
The Wisconsin based company selected for award today:
Astronautics Corporation of America (Milwaukee, WI) Solid State Cooling: An Efficient, Green Compact Cooling System Using Magnetic Refrigeration: Traditional refrigeration systems use liquid based refrigerants which have a global warming potential (GWP) more than 1,000 times that of CO2. This project proposes to use a solid state cooling technology with GWP of zero based on magnetic refrigeration. The team will construct and test a magnetic refrigeration cooling system that will achieve significant energy efficiency and reduce system operating costs compared to conventional vapor compression systems. DOE award: $2,889,839
In total, the projects announced today are based in 18 states, with 36% of projects led by universities, 33% by small businesses, 24% by large businesses, 5% by national labs, and 2% by non-profits. These awards complete ARPA-E’s grants under its Recovery Act funding: in three rounds of awards since last year, the agency has selected a total of 117 projects for $349 million in funding, supporting research that can deliver breakthrough changes in how the U.S. generates, stores, and utilizes energy.
View the project selections <http://arpa-e.energy.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=awb72I0S8f0%3d&tabid=83> announced today.
View technical descriptions <http://arpa-e.energy.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=QwxgRAEt8-k%3d&tabid=83> for the projects announced today.
ARPA-E received 529 initial concept papers and encouraged approximately 164 applicants to submit full applications. Multiple review panels composed of leading U.S. science and technology experts reviewed each proposal and made recommendations based on scientific and technical merit and the potential to dramatically advance national energy and economic goals. Potential additional applications for funding innovative research projects are pending further review.
To learn more about ARPA-E and previous awards, visit http://arpa-e.energy.gov/ .
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