What Is EERE and What Does It Do?
EERE is the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy arm of the United States Department of Energy (DOE).
EERE's mission is to lead the country in developing and deploying energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies that improve economic productivity, create jobs, save money, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and protect the environment.
EERE's portfolio of programs are designed to achieve these objectives by:
- Providing technical assistance, information, and policy analysis to help governments, businesses, and individuals make informed decisions about adopting energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies;
- Conducting research and development (R&D) to bring new energy-efficient and renewable energy technologies to market;
- Investing in early-stage companies through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs; and
- Supporting the deployment of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies through financial assistance programs.
EERE's Four Principles
EERE's work is guided by four crosscutting principles:
- Making the clean energy economy work for all Americans. Addressing environmental issues that primarily affect people of color, the poor, and indigenous peoples.
- Creating more comprehensive workforce training opportunities in order to create a pipeline of permanent, well-paying occupations for the clean energy workforce.
- Increasing the diversity of STEM workers while raising the awareness of clean energy job opportunities at minority-serving institutions, as well as ensuring that organizations receiving EERE funding consider diversity and equity in their work.
- Working closely with state and local governments and learning from them.
EERE's Five Programmatic Priorities3
EERE has five programmatic priorities:
Electricity Sector Decarbonization
Reducing emissions from the electricity sector by developing and deploying technologies that improve the efficiency of the electricity system, expand renewable energy sources, and enable a high degree of electrification across all sectors.
Transportation Sector Decarbonization
Reducing emissions from the transportation sector by developing and deploying technologies that improve vehicle efficiency, expand renewable fuels, and enable a high degree of electrification of the transportation system.
Buildings Sector Decarbonization
Improving the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings by developing and deploying technologies that improve building envelope (e.g., insulation) and systems efficiency (e.g., heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), as well as on-site renewable energy generation.
Industrial Sector Decarbonization
Increasing the competitiveness of the American industry by improving industrial processes and equipment energy efficiency, expanding the use of renewable energy in manufacturing processes, improving grid reliability and resiliency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Agricultural Sector Decarbonization
Reducing emissions from the agricultural sector with a focus on the water-energy nexus, by developing and deploying technologies that improve fertilizer and manure management, irrigation efficiency, and on-farm renewable energy generation.
EERE's Goals
EERE's goal is to create a clean energy economy that will increase our nation's security, environmental quality, and prosperity.
Reducing or Ending Dependence On Foreign Oil
The United States currently imports about 25% of the oil it consumes each day, making us vulnerable to disruptions in the global oil supply.
EERE is working to reduce this dependence through a combination of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies that will help us use less oil overall.
Reduce the Burden of Energy Prices on the Disadvantaged
Energy costs disproportionately burden low-income households, which spend a larger portion of their income on energy than higher-income households.
EERE's efforts to increase the energy efficiency of buildings and appliances will help reduce these burdens.
Improve the Viability and Adoption of Renewable Energy Technologies
Renewable energy technologies can help us move away from our reliance on fossil fuels, while also providing economic and environmental benefits.
EERE's R&D programs are working to make renewable energy technologies more cost-effective and efficient, and its financial assistance programs are helping to deploy these technologies around the country.
Improve the Dependability and Efficiency of Electricity Generation, Delivery, and Consumption
The United States electric grid is aging and in need of significant upgrades.
EERE is working to improve the reliability and efficiency of the electricity system through a combination of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and smart grid technologies.
Increase Buildings And Appliances' Energy Efficiency
Buildings account for about 40% of the energy used in the United States each year, making them a major focus of EERE's efforts to increase energy efficiency.
EERE is working to improve the energy efficiency of buildings through research, development, and deployment of innovative technologies and approaches.
Increase the Energy Efficiency of the Industry
Industry accounts for about 35% of the energy used in the United States each year.
EERE is working to increase the energy efficiency of the industry through research and development.
They also provide technical assistance, information, and policy analysis to help state, local, and tribal governments make informed decisions about adopting clean energy technologies.
EERE also supports the deployment of clean energy technologies through its financial assistance programs.
Spur the Creation of a Domestic Bioindustry
The United States has the potential to become a major producer of biofuels, which are renewable fuels made from plant or animal materials.
EERE's Bioenergy Technologies Office is working to make biofuels more cost-effective and efficient, and its financial assistance programs are helping to deploy these technologies around the country.
Lead by Example Through Government’s Own Actions
The federal government is the nation’s largest energy consumer, spending more than $6 billion a year on energy.
EERE is working to lead by example by increasing the energy efficiency of federal buildings and fleet vehicles, and by deploying renewable energy technologies at federal sites.
Change the Way EERE Does Business
The way EERE does business has a significant impact on the environment and the economy.
EERE is working to change the way it does business by reducing its own energy consumption, improving its environmental performance, and promoting sustainable practices throughout its operations.
Three Pillars in Research and Development
EERE's research and development (R&D) programs play a critical role in developing the energy efficient and renewable energy technologies that are essential to achieving our programmatic priorities.
EERE's R&D efforts focus on three main areas: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation.
Energy Efficiency
EERE's energy efficiency R&D programs focus on developing technologies that improve the efficiency of appliances, buildings, and industrial equipment; increase the use of renewable energy sources; and enable a high degree of electrification across all sectors.
Renewable Energy
EERE's renewable energy R&D programs focus on developing technologies that increase the use of solar, wind, water, and geothermal energy sources; improve the efficiency of renewable energy systems; and reduce the cost of renewable energy technologies.
Sustainable Transportation
EERE's sustainable transportation R&D programs focus on developing technologies that improve vehicle fuel economy and emissions; expand the use of alternative fuels; and enable a high degree of electrification of the transportation system.
EERE Programs
- Biomass
- Buildings Technologies
- Distributed Energy and Electricity Reliability
- Federal Energy Management
- FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies
- Geothermal Technologies
- Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies
- Industrial Technologies
- Solar Energy Technology
- Weatherization and Intergovernmental
- Wind and Hydropower Technologies
Final Thoughts
The Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) invests in clean energy technologies that strengthen the economy, protect the environment, and reduce reliance on foreign oil.
EERE's work cuts across all sectors of the economy, including transportation, buildings, industry, and electricity generation.
Within DOE, EERE is organized into five programmatic priorities: Electricity Sector Decarbonization, Transportation Sector Decarbonization, Buildings Sector Decarbonization, Industrial Sector Decarbonization, and Agricultural Sector Decarbonization.
EERE's efforts are helping to create a clean energy economy that will lead to a more prosperous, secure, and sustainable future for the United States.
FAQs
1. What is Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy?
Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) is a program within the Department of Energy (DOE) that invests in clean energy technologies through research, development, and deployment.
2. What are the benefits of investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy?
Investing in alternative energy technologies can help reduce reliance on foreign oil while also saving money on energy bills, creating jobs, and lowering pollution.
3. What are some of the specific technologies that EERE invests in?
EERE invests in a variety of clean energy technologies including solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and hydrogen and fuel cells.
4. What are some of the EERE-funded projects around the country?
EERE has funded projects across the United States that are developing and deploying clean energy technologies.
5. How can I get involved with EERE?
There are many ways to get involved with EERE. You can learn about their programs and funding opportunities, apply for jobs or internships, or join one of their many partner organizations.
