Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) is awarding $47 million for 14 projects across the country to support the development of new technologies that can improve energy efficiency in the information technology (IT) and communication technology sectors. The data processing, data storage, and telecommunications industries are a crucial part of the American information economy. The rapid growth of these industries has led to an increase in electricity use, but improvements in the sector's energy efficiency can provide significant energy and cost savings. These energy-efficiency projects will reduce energy use and carbon pollution, while helping to develop a strong, competitive domestic industry.
“These Recovery Act projects will improve the efficiency of a strong and growing sector of the American economy,” says Chu. “By reducing energy use and energy costs for the IT and telecommunications industries, this funding will help create jobs and ensure the sector remains competitive. “The expected growth of these industries means that new technologies adopted today will yield benefits for many years to come.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is providing funding for research, development and demonstration projects in three subject areas. Projects may include aspects of more than one topic area.
To learn more about DOE's industrial energy-efficiency efforts, visit the Industrial Technologies Program Web site. Source:Department of Energy