Over $150 million in grants were awarded to 37 different “radical” energy research projects reports The New York Times. Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), that received its initial funding of $400 million through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is distributing the monies in 17 states. ARPA-E breaks down the distribution further:
Of the lead recipients, 43% are small businesses, 35% are educational institutions, and 19% are large corporations. In supporting these teams, ARPA-E seeks to bring together America’s brightest energy innovators to pioneer a low cost, secure, and low carbon energy future for the nation.
The University of Delaware and E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company are among those receiving grants. The University of Delaware will be receiving $4,462,162 while DuPont was awarded $9 million. The UD project will focus on vehicle technologies that “would decrease the weight and increase the efficiency of motors for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles and generators for advanced wind turbines.” DuPont’s project will look at biomass fuels, specifically seaweed — “a potentially sustainable and scalable new source of biomass that doesn’t require arable land or potable water.”
Note that Congressman Mike Castle should not take any credit for these grants coming to Delaware since he voted against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.