$2.6 million Recovery Act grant awarded by Department of Energy

The Department of Energy announced today funding for 37 advanced energy research projects including a $2.6 million project at General Motors to develop technology to convert waste heat from car engines into electricity at the GM Technical Center in Warren.  This could result in vehicles that are significantly more efficient.

“There is so much potential in Michigan’s engineering base, car companies, and universities to develop new and innovate ways to make our vehicles more energy efficient,” said Rep. Levin.  “Today’s announcement reaffirms that the federal government will be an active partner in providing the seed money needed to launch these technologies forward.”

Also as part of the today’s announcement, Michigan State University won a $2.5 million grant to develop the wave disc engine, a gas-fueled electric generator that is five times more efficient than traditional engines for electricity production, as well as lighter and cheaper to manufacture.   This technology could replace current generators for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.  A full list of grants awarded in today’s $151 million announcement is available here: http://www.energy.gov/news2009/documents2009/ARPA-E_Project_Selections.pdf

In 2005, a National Academies of Sciences (NAS) report was released that was entitled, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm.”   The final NAS report expressed deep concern “that the scientific and technological building blocks critical to our economic leadership are eroding at a time when many other nations are gathering strength.” One of the key research recommendations was to create within the Department of Energy an organization like the Defense Research Projects Agency (DARPA) called the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).  DARPA was established in 1958 in response to the launch of Sputnik to quickly turn innovative technology into military capabilities.  DARPA is credited for its work involving the Internet, stealth technology, smart bombs, and robotics.

After the release of the NAS study, Congressman Levin cosponsored legislation introduced by the Chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee, Rep. Gordon of Tennessee, to create the ARPA-E program.  Congress later established the ARPA-E program as part of the America Competes Act of 2007.  

Modeled on the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the goal of ARPA-E is to sponsor creative, transformational energy research in those areas where industry by itself cannot or will not undertake such sponsorship, where risks and pay-offs are high.

This is the first round of projects funded under ARPA-E, which is receiving total of $400 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.