The stimulus package supports more energy R&D

The Economist points out (in its article of the March 28, 2009 issue: Energy Research: Energiser Money) that the US DOE budget this year has increased from $24.2 billion in FY2008 to $38.7 billion in FY2009.

In addition, the stimulus package adds another $27 billion in appropriations.

The energy R&D within DOE increased by 18%, to $7.8 billion. Nevertherless, the challenge is what results all this funding will deliver.

There are positive and promising elements in DOEs’ program including the ARPA-E, a program modeled after the Department of Defense ARPA which funds basic and applied research. Also, the Energy Frontier Research Centers which team up universities with laboratories to work on new technologies.

DOE's research need to be supplemented by aggressive private sector funding from organizations such as the Electric Power Research Institute, Gas Technology Institute and others.