Clean Energy Initiative
NDN’s Clean Energy Initiative centers on transforming discussions about 20th century energy policy into a new framework where energy policy is deeply integrated with economic policy and America’s 21st century challenges.
Our Electricity 2.0 Program focuses on the issues surrounding the modernization of the electric grid structure for the 21st Century, including the need to replace, renovate and expand our infrastructure with an equal goal to address the issue of renewable energies, a more open energy network, greater consumer choice and the development of a new business model for the 21st Century.
Recent
Department of Defense and Next Generation Energy Technology On July 25 we hosted a panel discussion on the incredible impact of the Military’s investment in clean energy. Jon Powers, Federal Executive for White House office of Climate Energy Quality was joined by Dr. Holmes Hummel of Department of Energy, Dr. Jeff Marqusee of Department of Defense and Jeff Weiss, of Distributed Sun, LLC.
Heather Zichal On June 25, we hosted Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Heather Zichal, who spoke on the successes of the Obama administration's All of the Above energy policy and what the President has accomplished with this comprehensive national energy plan.
Ken Salazar, On April 25, we hosted United States Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who outlined the Administration's upcoming energy strategy at a luncheon at NDN. The Obama Administration, and the DOI have made remarkable progress through their 'all-of-the-above' approach to energy over the last three years.
The Role of Consumers in Shaping Energy Use - On April 6 we hosted a panel titled "The Critical Role of Consumers in Shaping The Future of Energy Use." The event, which was co-hosted with Opower, spotlighted the panel examined the role that customers can and should play in driving energy policy and proactively managing their home energy.
Solar Tariff Panel - On March 16 NDN's Clean Energy Initiative hosted a panel titled "Solar Tariffs: Smart Policy or Protectionism?" Leading experts from the field joined us to discuss the issues involved with China, international trade, the labor market and solar technology. This panel was the seventh in our ongoing "Clean Energy Solution Series".relationship between consumer energy use and new technologies for over
Gina McCarthy, On January 20, Ms. McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation for the Environmental Protection Agency, spoke to our 6th Clean Energy Solution Series on the impact of the newly released EPA national standards for mercury and other air toxins which will ultimately prevent 90% of mercury, 88% of natural gas emissions, and 41% of sulpher dioxins.
Progress and Promise of the Electric Vehicle - On December 6, 2011 the fifth of our Clean Energy Solution Series feataured a panel of industry thought leaders for a discussion on the future of the Electric Vehicle. This panel highlighted the recent emergence of the electric vehicle in today’s economy and how innovations in clean energy have opened doors for growth and opportunities of the electric car.
Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-12) - On October 21, 2011 our New York Clean Energy Forum featured Congressman Tonko who made the case for distributed generation throughout our country. He pointed out the attributes of off-grid energy both in terms of saving the consumer money but also in terms of long term energy efficiency. Tonko says Smart Grid/Smart Energy projects should continue to be funded through the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, as they will ultimately engage the consumer with their energy use and resulting energy efficiency.
Jack Hidary - On October 4, 2011, Jack Hidary, the well known energy entreprenaur spoke to our New York Clean Energy Forum on 'The Gamechanger: China’s Unstoppable Clean Energy Exports'. Combining his considerable expertise in finance, science, technology, Jack's speech focused on China's master business plan every five years. That plan, coupled with the enormity of China’s population, landmass, and financial resources, puts a footprint on every country and every major business in this global economy.
Economics of Wind Energy and the Relevance of Tax Credits - On September 27, 2011, we held the fourth event in our Clean Energy Solution Series featuring a panel discussion on the the economic ramifications of wind energy presenting the case for investment of wind energy and outlined the realities of wind energy and other renewable energy in the political climate of the 112th Congress.
Transmission Reform: What Does It Mean for Renewables? - On July 28, 2011, the third in our Clean Energy Solution Series featured a panel discussionon the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Rulemaking, Order 1000 and the potential of a modernized electric grid structure to provide nationwide consumers with renewable energy.
The Speed of Solar: A Review of the Tremendous Impact of Solar - On June 27, 2011, we held the second event in out "Clean Energy Solution Series", which spotlighted the success of rooftop solar energy, particularly for Sungevity Rooftop Energy. The rooftop solar industry, now no longer a cottage industry selling to the wealthy in the state of California, is now mainstream and viable in almost every state.
Senator Jeff Bingaman - On January 31, 2011 Senator Bingaman, Chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee outlined his priorities for an energy agenda for the 112th Congress at a packed luncheon of over 250 people at the National Press Club. The Senator outlined four elements which he said should be at the heart of a comprehensive energy legislation to make the United States competitive in global energy markets. To read more follow the links below:
- Full text of Senator Bingaman's Speech
- Video of Senator Bingaman's speech
- Audio of Senator Bingaman's speech
- Event Summary
Understanding the Transformative Potential of Microgrids and Distributed Power - On December 10, 2010, four industry pioneers; in localized generation and power management discussed the overwhelming success of cogeneration. Cogeneration has revolutionized industrial power in the US, but also the huge, untapped potential of microgrids harnessing cogen and distributed power to modernize American electricity.
Michael Moynihan to Present at the CITI Conference on Broadband Networks & Smart Grid
Michael Moynihan presents E 2.0 at Georgetown Energy and Cleantech Conference
Accelerating the Clean Energy Economy: Key Pathways, Policies, and Pitfalls 6/29/10: with Michael Moynihan, Dan Carol, Robert Shapiro, and Aimee Christensen NDN hosted a panel on the imperative of moving towards a clean energy economy and how this transition will take shape. The lively discussion explored the financial and regulatory incentives for clean energy development, as well as the necessary legislative actions to put these incentives into place.
Papers
Electricity 2.0: Unlocking the Power of the Open Energy Network (OEN) 2/4/10: By Michael Moynihan In a major new policy paper, Clean Energy Initiative Director Michael Moynihan argues that America must upgrade to Electricity 2.0, an open, distributed network, to unlock the potential of clean technology and unleash a renewable revolution.
Solar Energy: The Case for Action 8/1/08: By Michael Moynihan While a variety of renewable fuels have different strengths, the subject of this paper, solar power -- ubiquitous, not tied to any nation or territory, clean and free once capital equipment to capture it has been installed -- holds special promise.
Events
Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, EPA
'The Promise and Progress of the Electric Car'
Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-12)
Economics of Wind Energy and the Relevance of Tax Credits
Clean Energy Solution Series - Transmission Policy Reform: What does this mean for Renewables?
Clean Energy Solution Series-Wireless Technology: New Technologies and the Grid
Electricity 2.0: Understanding the Transformative Potential of Microgrids and Distributed Power
Michael Moynihan to Present at the CITI Conference on Broadband Networks & Smart GridMichael Moynihan presents E 2.0 at Georgetown Energy and Cleantech Conference
Accelerating the Clean Energy Economy: Key Pathways, Policies, and Pitfalls
Recent Work
While the defeat of cap and trade this year postpones the longstanding project to put a price on carbon, it should not halt those who care about the environment, energy security and jobs from continuing to work to implement new solutions.
It is time for the United States to bring their resources to bear to stop the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and clean up the mess left behind.
In his debut blog for NDN, new Senior Fellow for Innovation and Clean Technology Dan Carol argues that the Obama economic narrative does not fit cleanly into traditional, Washington boxes, as it is bottom-up, not top-down, in nature.
From both an economic and a security perspective, our reliance on oil is tremendously costly.
The US will not recognize the promise of clean energy without fundamental redesign of the network at the core of the energy system: the electricity network.
In a major new policy paper, Green Project Director Michael Moynihan argues that America must upgrade to Electricity 2.0, an open, distributed network, to unlock the potential of clean technology and unleash a renewable revolution.
In an opinion piece in the San Francisco Chronicle, Green Project Director Michael Moynihan outlines his vision for Electricity 2.0, a new paper released today by NDN.
Join NDN and the New Policy Institute this Thursday, February 4 for the presentation of an important new paper from Michael Moynihan on Electricity 2.0, an open energy network capable of delivering a 21st century clean energy revolution.
NDN Fellow Michael Moynihan offers his take on the Senate health care bill. He identifies two critical flaws in the bill, but sees a way for Congress to fix these problems before the bill is passed into law.