In November, 2021, Clean Energy Business Network celebrates its one-year anniversary as a Power Connector for the U.S. Department of Energy’s American-Made Challenges program—a series of prize competitions to lower the barriers U.S.-based innovators face in reaching manufacturing scale and accelerate the development of new clean energy technologies.
At the end of September 2021, CEBN welcomed two new Associates to the staff to provide support on policy research and advocacy, events, communications, and business assistance to entrepreneurs. Allie Judge and Annabelle Swift bring a wealth of relevant experience to the table in previous roles in government, nonprofits, and business support organizations.
More than 750 clean energy business leaders have signed on to CEBN’s letter to Congress applauding passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill and calling for further action on clean energy. This campaign has attracted support from clean energy business leaders representing 539 firms and across all 50 states. The letter demonstrates strong backing from clean energy business leaders across the country, and it has received coverage from Politico’s Morning Energy and the Washington Post.
A recent webinar hosted by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and the Clean Energy Business Network explored strategies to strengthen diversity and inclusivity in the clean energy economy. In addition, the webinar discussed a case study with respect to the U.S. Department of Energy’s American-Made Solar Prize, a $4.6M prize competition to help innovators rapidly develop new solar technology and software solutions.
The American-Made Solar Prize is back! The latest iteration of this competition, Round 5, is offering solar innovators $4.6 million in total cash prizes. Learn more about this prize and view resources to help you compete to win.
The CEBN delivered a letter last week to Senate leadership and the “Gang of 22” urging support for a bipartisan infrastructure package that includes the Energy Infrastructure Act. Over 420 clean energy business leaders and individuals have signed onto to an updated version of the letter, which calls on Congress to advance this legislation and other energy policies. CEBN’s parent organization, BCSE, also sent a coalition letter on this important legislation.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) is seeking ideas that will accelerate the development of systems that use low-cost solar-thermal energy to produce clean water from very-high-salinity water, like water produced from oil and gas extraction. CEBN recently held a webinar featuring Sarah Gomach, a program administrator from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Gary Katz, Founder and CEO of Katz Water Technologies, and one of eight semifinalists from the first round of the Solar Desalination Prize, also spoke on the webinar. The full recording can be found below.
In July 1969, an estimated 650 million people watched the historic moon landing live on TV. Federal investments in the space program not only paid off with technological advances but also served to inspire many to pursue careers in STEM. The educational spillover effects of federal support for young people in scientific innovation was on full display this month, as 13 teams of undergraduate students competed in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Collegiate Wind Competition (CWC).
Last week, the Department of Energy announced 235 American small businesses were collectively awarded $54 million through the 2021 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
The seventh installment of Powering Forward was held in partnership with Grove Climate Group. The webinar explored the growing discussion regarding how to best understand, acknowledge, and address the wide-ranging societal dimensions of the clean energy transition — with EJ issues in mind.
This spring, 42 clean energy business leaders within the CEBN participated in a flurry of advocacy meetings on clean energy research, development, and demonstration. The group pushed Congress to boost funding for clean energy RD&D programs across the Department of Energy in Fiscal Year 2022 Appropriations.
As we work to grow the clean energy economy, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) are always seeking ways to make business easier for our members. In 2021, we’re launching a new member benefit to make your 401(k) not only better, but also more sustainable through Environment-Social-Governance (ESG)-aligned investments.
