Energy Earth Shot, funding for electric vehicle charging networks, and more.

This week 🗓️, Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm announced the launch of the seventh DOE Earth Shot, Clean Fuels & Products Shot, which aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from carbon-based fuels and products critical to our way of life.

Charging ahead. Last week during National Transportation Week 🚗 🚌 ✈️, DOE earmarked $51 million in funding to improve the reliability and accessibility of electric vehicle chargers.

This funding will accelerate the electrification of the nation's transportation sector and spur private investments in clean transportation. Concept papers are due June 16. 

Also, DOE launched the National Charging Experience Consortium to advance rapid, on-the-ground solutions that ensure a convenient, reliable, equitable, and easy-to-use charging experience for all Americans.

That's not all. DOE announced $187 million to ensure widespread and accelerated electrification of America’s transportation sector.

In part, the funds will support projects that improve electric vehicle charging infrastructure for underserved communities and provide consumer education on electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging. 

And last but not least: nearly $60 million was allocated to advance clean hydrogen technologies and improve the electric power grid.

Nearly $42 million covers 22 projects in 14 states to advance critical technologies for producing, storing, and deploying clean hydrogen. And an additional $17.8 million will establish a North American university research consortium that will help states and tribal communities implement grid resilience programs.

In Renewable News 💧☀️ 🌬️ 🪨, the winners of the 10th annual Collegiate Wind Competition were announced! The competition aims to prepare the next-generation wind energy workforce through real-world technology, project development, and outreach experience. Kansas State University rose above 12 other teams to claim first place by developing the best solution to the challenges associated with fixed-bottom offshore wind energy projects.

🌎 ♻️ 🌽 🌻

EERE's Bioenergy Technologies Office awarded $3 million in funding for two projects to improve local community waste-to-energy processes and infrastructure. These projects will explore new approaches to reuse waste streams as energy, nutrients, and other resources. 

DOE National Labs 🔬

Reports released by DOE’s Berkeley Lab show that renewable generation and energy storage projects face lengthy approval processes to interconnect to the transmission grid, increasing overall timelines and costs. Without reforms, interconnection is likely to remain a major obstacle in meeting the goals of clean energy deployment and decarbonization. 

DOE is investing $150-million in the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that will help the lab keep the United States on the cutting edge of clean energy technology and lead the world in the transition to carbon-free power sources.

Stay tuned for more electrifying clean energy news!