US Department of Energy Looks to the Wind. (May 16, 2008)

The United States' Department of Energy (DOE) is considering a rethink for its US$50 million pa budget as regards harnessing wind power. The overall aim would be to use wind turbines to derive 20% of US electricity requirement by 2030, up from its current 1%.

Science reports an analysis just issued by a panel consisting of DOE personnel and industry officials which has nominated "new types of financing, better designs and windmill monitoring, and big changes to the electrical grid to bring electricity from windy areas to population centers".

Meanwhile Australia's Rudd government has released the specifics for its "climate change budget".

Overall it has earmarked $2.3 billion over seven years.

$500 million goes to clean coal R&D for the next seven years, with $143 million made available over the next two years.

One view of Clean Coal Technology

$500 million is also designated for renewable energy R&D over the seven years with $55 million made available over the first two years and most of the remainder becoming available after the 2011-2012 financial year.

Of the $2.3 billion allocation, $1 billion is to go to the greening of Australian homes.

$260 million is reserved for businesses. Grants of up to $200,000 per building will be made  available to overhaul air-conditioning, heating, lighting and ventilation.

Schools will be eligible for up to $50,000 grants for water and energy conservation upgrades.

At the very least the government should track the utilisation of its funding by the renewable energy sector, and if it becomes clear that it is able to usefully absorb funding at a greater rate, the government should adjust its scheduling accordingly.