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On May 19–20, 2011, ARPA-E and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering [ASD(R&E)] held a workshop in Arlington, VA to explore advanced scientific and technical challenges to the development of a Hybrid Energy Storage Module (HESM).

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The second annual ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit brought together key players from across the energy ecosystem to share ideas for developing and deploying the next generation of clean energy technologies.

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The workshop aimed to bring together some of the world’s foremost experts in PV technology as well as leaders from industry, academia, and government with diverse perspectives to discuss the challenges and opportunities related to the generation of solar power.

Thermal energy transport and conversion play a very significant role in more than 90% of energy technologies. Approximately two thirds of thermal energy is wasted. Thermal energy storage can significantly reduce this waste and enhance the efficiency of energy delivery and consumption.

The goal of the workshop was to develop new ideas and identify the most promising R&D pathway to better accommodate the alternatives to traditional electricity generation and the use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles while improving the reliability, controllability, and performance of the power grid.

The importance of critical materials in the energy sector has been highlighted by the mismatch between the rapidly growing demands relative to limited global supply of rare earth materials. Technology solutions focused on both the supply-side and demand-side of critical materials challenges are of interest. Specifically, ARPA-E was interested in exploring potentially disruptive (not incremental) technology solutions.

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The workshop brought together thought leaders from distinct science and engineering communities to develop new ideas and identify practical approaches toward increasing the efficiency of light collection by biological systems and the conversion of that energy into liquid forms of chemical energy that can be used for transportation.

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The meeting provided a public forum to present carbon dioxide (CO2) capture technology development status and accomplishments made under NETL’s Innovations for Existing Plants, Carbon Sequestration and Demonstration Programs (CCPI -Clean Coal Power Initiative and ICCS -Industrial Carbon Capture and Sequestration).

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While DOE has a highly-productive photovoltaic (PV) program, we may need a dramatic change to develop products that can compete in large markets without significant subsidies. Experts specifically discussed how to achieve PV facilities priced at $1 per watt, fully-installed.

ARPA-E held a one-day, pre-Summit workshop focused on helping scientific researchers, technology entrepreneurs, and corporate and venture investors gain strategic insights into ARPA-E’s program directions and other Department of Energy programs.