Nano Renewable Energy Summit at the Cable Center, Denver, CO

Earlier this week on the DU campus, nano business leaders assembled at the Nano Renewable Energy Summit.  The summit brought together leading global experts involved in the relationships between nanotechnology and renewable energy.  

Of specific interest at the conference was the commercialization of emerging technologies.  Program sponsors included the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, from nearby Golden, Co., the Colorado Nanotechnology Alliance, and the Nano Business Alliance.

Lucy Daberkow, Assistant Program Director, represented the program at the event.  Her report follows:

"The Honorable Kelly H. Carnes, President and Chief Executive Officer of TechVision21 spoke on the "Outlook for Federal Funding" for renewable energy projects. Ms. Carnes served eight years at the highest levels of the U.S. government, working first as an aide to then First Lady Hillary Clinton, and later, as a senior technology policy advisor to four Secretaries of Commerce. 

In her speech, Ms. Carnes spoke about the federal stimulus package and its implications and possibilities for the new clean energy- based economy. Ms. Carnes talked about the Innovative Technologies Loan Guarantee Program which provides funding for early commercial projects that avoid, reduce, or sequester air pollutants.

She went on to talk about funding for the Solar Market Transformation program which encourages cities to integrate the use of solar energy whenever possible (Solar America Cities- Denver being one of them).

She also spoke about the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) which offers loan guarantees and grants for purchase and installation of energy efficiency appliances and renewable energy systems for agricultural producers and rural small businesses. 

Ms. Carnes reminded the audience about some of the programs the U.S. House of Representatives is looking to implement in the near future: $90 billion in new energy efficiency and renewable energy investments; cap and trade programs; global warming adaptation plans; establishment of a Clean Energy Deployment Administration at the U.S. Department of Energy; and higher energy efficiency standards for buildings, appliances, and industry in general. 

Finally, Ms. Carnes encouraged the audience to apply for grant opportunities which encourage the development of new technologies for renewable energy projects like many individuals and companies have done recently. More information on the availability of grants can be found at www.grants.gov and www.fedconnect.net/Fedconnect/." 

As Lucy's report clearly illustrates, there are enormous opportunities ahead in the renewable energy sector.  And Denver, in particular, is in the eyes of many "the hub of the new energy economy."