Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy | U.S. Department of Energy

Can federal lands help power America’s future?   A new study from National Renewable Energy Laboratory reveals that onshore federal lands in the contiguous United States could support over 7,700 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity. The findings show that by prioritizing renewable energy development alongside natural resource protection, we could deploy 51–84 GW by 2035, a significant step toward meeting America’s rising energy demand.   The U.S. Department of the Interior has already surpassed its 2025 target well ahead of schedule by permitting over 33 GW of renewable energy projects on federal lands—enough to power more than 15 million homes across the country.   As energy demand continues to grow, this study provides a blueprint for responsible renewable energy development as we create jobs, foster innovation, and advance emission reductions.   Discover the full findings here: https://lnkd.in/eH4b4gsN

Innovation is critical to America’s energy leadership on a global scale. That’s why U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced two prize opportunities designed to support renewable energy innovation and workforce development. Check them out: 🏆 Applications are now open for the Community Energy Innovation Prize Round 2! This prize supports community organizations, private sector innovators, and collegiate teams advancing energy solutions. And new this year, we’ve added a transportation track in addition to the renewable energy and manufacturing tracks! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eTj5rms6 🏆 The HBCU Clean Energy Education Prize Inspire Track is back for Round 2! This prize supports historically Black colleges and universities in creating STEM education programs that equip K–12 and community college students to pursue energy careers. With a $600,000 prize pool, this initiative helps develop the workforce needed for tomorrow’s energy challenges. Apply by Feb. 27: https://lnkd.in/ewVsE6ST and register to join the Jan. 28 webinar to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ed7J5TCS

Funding award news: Meet the 25 Communities Taking Charge projects aiming to further connect and scale the electric transportation ecosystem! 🎉 We’re taking the momentum of public charging station growth and building on it—the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation has awarded $43.7 million to 25 projects in 23 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that further connect and scale zero-emission transportation infrastructure. 🔌 From using lampposts to create more L2 chargers, ⚡ to a unique public charging model in which a utility will install EV charging equipment at multifamily housing complexes, 🚲 the projects awarded are mapped on our site 🗺️ across the three areas the funding aims to address: https://lnkd.in/gxNfHmhe

A circular economy reclaims, reuses, and repurposes materials instead of discarding them as waste. By recovering valuable resources from waste streams, we can reduce environmental impact and strengthen domestic supply chains.   Two recent U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) initiatives are supporting a more sustainable future by driving innovation to keep these materials in circulation:   ♻️ Electronics Scrap Recycling Advancement Prize (E-SCRAP): Phase 1 winners are working on innovative ways to recover critical materials—like rare earth elements and precious metals—from the growing stream of discarded electronics. Their ideas could help keep valuable resources in use and out of landfills. Learn more and see how you can get involved in Phase 2: https://lnkd.in/eQttZTUM   ♻️ Re-X Before Recycling Prize: Phase 2 winners are focusing on practical ways to extend the life of single-use goods by repairing, refurbishing, and repurposing items. Their efforts are helping reduce waste while promoting a circular economy. Meet the 10 winners who just took home $150,000 each to advance their methods and start implementing their circular economy innovations: https://lnkd.in/eDfbCXPd   #CircularEconomy #SustainableSolutions #ResourceRecovery

Meet American Energy Innovators Dr. Jennifer Lalli and Courtnay Brand of NanoSonic, Inc. With funding from EERE, they transformed their vision for advancing a modern, hydrogen-powered vehicle from fantasy to reality! From research, design, and development to manufacturing and commercialization, their innovative work covers the entire range of product development, and no project is too “crazy.” See how these American energy innovators are making a difference: https://lnkd.in/e7RBrkyX #EnergyInnovation #AdvancedByAmericans #SustainableEnergy #HydrogenVehicles

As the United States invests in renewable energy, our efforts also drive economic growth in communities that need it the most: ➡️ 81% of renewable energy investments benefit counties with below-average wages. ➡️ 86% of renewable energy investments support regions with below-average college graduation rates. This approach brings jobs and economic growth to underserved areas, making renewable energy more accessible to all. #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability #JobCreation #EnergyForAll

Energy workforce development programs play an essential role in meeting growing demand for skilled tradesmen. A home renovation project inspired David Castrejón to pursue an electrician apprenticeship through HIRE360 Partners, a workforce program supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that provides training, mentorship, and financial support for underrepresented groups in the trades. Now in his third year, David is mastering solar energy skills and mentoring new apprentices to support the energy sector’s evolving workforce needs. Read his story: https://lnkd.in/eVNKnw2q #SolarEnergy #WorkforceDevelopment #EnergyJobs #ElectricianApprenticeships

Today, we can recycle approximately 90% of the mass of wind turbines and wind systems. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s latest report aims to identify sustainable end-of-life solutions for full turbine recyclability.   A team of researchers from National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories assessed U.S. infrastructure for recycling wind tech. These efforts could ease potential wind energy-related supply chain constraints and reduce emissions and pollutants to air, land, and water throughout the life cycle of wind technology.   Next, a new funding opportunity will support research to address the remaining 10% and develop solutions for hard-to-recycle materials. See more details and access the report online: https://lnkd.in/dRPHZqTk

Today, we remember and honor the legacy of President Jimmy Carter, whose leadership laid the cornerstone for America's energy future. President Carter’s foresight led to the creation of the U.S. Department of Energy in 1977—a pivotal step in rallying American minds and resources around the goal of better addressing the country’s energy challenges. He was a pioneer in more ways than one. He led landmark policies, such as the National Energy Act of 1978 and Energy Security Act of 1980, which reduced America’s dependence on foreign oil and accelerated the development of renewable energy technologies. He established the Solar Energy Research Institute in Colorado, known today as our National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and was the first to install solar panels at the White House. “I hope that, perhaps a 100 years from now, the change to inexhaustible energy sources will have been made, and our Nation's concern about energy will be over. But we can make that transition smoothly—for our country and for our children and for our grandchildren—only if we take careful steps now to prepare ourselves for the future.” - President Jimmy Carter, Address to the Nation on Energy (November, 1977). In 2025, President Carter's mission remains with us. The U.S. Department of Energy will continue to secure the country’s energy independence and push the boundaries of science & technology to deliver energy solutions to the American people. Thank you, Mr. President, for your service to our country. We are proud to honor you.

EVSE permitting can take time. The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation is working to make it faster by funding three projects in Track 2 of DOE’s Innovative Queue Management Solutions (iQMS) for Clean Energy Interconnection and Energization program. Projects will address data tools and transparency for information related to #EVSE load service requests. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gnmBYk5R