Department of Energy Invests in Small Green Businesses

Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced more than $18 million in funding for small business innovation research, development and deployment of clean energy technologies. The 125 companies that are receiving funding were competitively selected from a pool of 950 applicants through a special fast-track process with an emphasis on near-term commercialization and job creation. Companies that demonstrate successful results with their new technologies and show potential to meet market needs will be eligible for $60 million in a second round of grants in the summer of 2010. Five Texas companies were selected to receive funding.

Grants were awarded to businesses for research in the following industries:

• Advanced Building Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Thermal Load Shifting, and Cool Roofs
• Water Usage in Electric Power Production
• Power Plant Cooling
• Advanced Gas Turbines and Materials
• Sensors, Controls, and Wireless Networks
• Advanced Water Power Technology Development
• Smart Controllers for Smart Grid Applications
• Advanced Solar Technologies
• Advanced Industrial Technologies Development
• Advanced Manufacturing Processes

For more information, see the Department of Energy's press release.