Daniel Simmons Ceremonially Sworn In as DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

• Daniel Simmons Ceremonially Sworn In as DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
• DOE Announces Selection of Three Manufacturing Innovator Challenge Winners
• Assistant Secretary Daniel Simmons Announces Opening of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize
• AMO 2018 Peer Review Report is Available for Download
• Applications for EERE’s Robotics Internship Program Due March 5
• LLNL Hosts Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Webinar – March 22
• SAVE THE DATE: RAPID Spring Meeting and 15th Global Congress on Process Safety - March 31 – April 4
• REGISTRATION OPEN: Better Buildings Summit 2019 - July 10 – 11
• DATE CHANGE: Taking Energy Action in Manufacturing (ITEAM) Prize
• Sneak Peak of the Updated Superior Energy Performance 50001 Program
• PowerAmerica's 2018 Annual Report Now Available
• First Correctional Facilities Achieve 50001 Ready Status

Daniel Simmons Ceremonially Sworn In as DOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Earlier this month, Daniel R. Simmons was ceremonially sworn in by U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry as the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. First confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 2, 2019, Simmons was officially sworn in to the Assistant Secretary role on January 16, 2019.

Learn more.

DOE Announces Selection of Three Manufacturing Innovator Challenge Winners

DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) recently announced the selection of three $2,500 challenge winners for the Manufacturing Innovator Challenge: Additive Manufacturing for Disaster Response. EERE sought design concepts that explored new applications for large scale additive manufacturing for disaster response. This initiative is part of a broader effort by DOE and the Administration to foster innovation and attract broad industry participation to help solve today's manufacturing challenges.

Learn more.

Assistant Secretary Daniel Simmons Announces Opening of Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize

In celebration of National Battery Day on February 18, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Daniel Simmons announced the opening of the Energy Department’s Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize, funded by the Vehicle Technologies Office in collaboration with the Advanced Manufacturing Office. The prize encourages American entrepreneurs to find innovative solutions to collecting, storing, and transporting discarded lithium-ion batteries for eventual recycling.

Learn more about the prize and how to apply here.

AMO 2018 Peer Review Report is Available for Download

In July 2018, the Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) conducted a review of the technology research and development and technical partnerships supported by our office. AMO published a report that summarizes learnings from peers and notes potential opportunities for strengthening program implementation.

Download the AMO 2018 Peer Review report here.

Applications for EERE’s Robotics Internship Program Due March 5

EERE’s Robotics Internship Program provides opportunities for students and recent graduates to intern at federal national laboratories and private sector organizations throughout the United States. Applications for the program, sponsored by the Advanced Manufacturing Office, are due March 5, 2019 at 5 p.m. ET.

Read more and apply here.

LLNL Hosts Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Webinar – March 22

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) will host a High Performance Computing for Energy Innovation Online Colloquium on Machine Learning on Friday, March 22, 2019 from 12-4 p.m. ET. The online colloquium is designed to introduce machine learning concepts, show examples of applications of machine learning tools, and discuss potential pitfalls in applying these tools.

Register here.

SAVE THE DATE: RAPID Spring Meeting and 15th Global Congress on Process Safety - March 31 – April 4

The 2019 RAPID Institute spring meeting, the year’s key technical conference for practicing chemical engineers, will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana. A preliminary schedule of conference topics are available for view; dates and times are subject to change.

Questions? Contact Ashley Smith-Schoettker at ashls@aiche.org. Click here for more event information.

REGISTRATION OPEN: 2019 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit - July 10 – 11

Registration for the 2019 Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit is now open – register today and reserve your hotel room. The 2019 Summit will take place in Arlington, Virginia on July 10-11, with pre-conference building tours and sector networking events starting on the afternoon of July 9. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to explore and share emerging technologies, innovative strategies, and financing trends with other leading industry experts.

View the Agenda At-a-Glance here.

DATE CHANGE: Individuals Taking Energy Action in Manufacturing (ITEAM) Prize

The application deadline for the Individuals Taking Energy Action in Manufacturing (ITEAM) Prize has been extended to May 15, 2020. Through the prize, DOE is seeking to recognize and bring attention to employees on the plant floor all around the country who not only recognize the importance of saving energy, but are making it happen, strengthening their company’s competitiveness and driving cost savings in the process. Winners have the option to decline the cash prize and still be recognized and participate in activities described in the prize rules.

Learn more about the ITEAM prize and the application process here.

Sneak Peak of the Updated Superior Energy Performance 50001 Program

DOE is updating the Superior Energy Performance 50001™ (SEP 50001™) program with a new name and simplified certification requirements. The program will continue recognizing facilities that certify to the ISO 50001 energy management standard and obtain third-party verification of continual energy performance improvements. The planned revisions align with the 2018 update to ISO 50001, enable multiple site certification, and create new avenues for achieving higher levels of DOE recognition.

Learn more about SEP 50001 at energy.gov/SEP50001.

View a recorded presentation here.

View the SEP 50001 program preview slides here.

PowerAmerica's 2018 Annual Report Now Available

Transforming U.S. Manufacturing Through Advances in Wide Bandgap Power Electronics: One Innovation at a Time is the theme of the 2018 PowerAmerica Annual Report. Check out the report to read overviews of almost 30 projects focused in high-demand industries with significant economic impact potential, including applications from laptop adapters to photovoltaic inverters to uninterruptible power supplies, data centers, and electric vehicle fast chargers.

First Correctional Facilities Achieve 50001 Ready Status

Four facilities within the Oregon Department of Corrections recently earned 50001 Ready recognition. Both Departmental staff and adults in custody helped implement the energy management system—modeling good stewardship of resources and setting a good example for other state institutions.

Learn more about how these correctional facilities achieved 50001 Ready.