DOE, China partner to research fuel-efficient buildings

The two largest energy-consuming countries in the world, the United States and China, have announced a partnership to research fuel efficiency.

By Source: Doug Palmer, Reuters; U.S. Dept. of Energy July 16, 2009

A new research partnership was announced between the United States and China , the two largest emitters of greenhouse gasses worldwide. The U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center will feature engineers and scientists from both nations researching and promoting more fuel-efficient buildings.

U.S. Dept. of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu said that the two countries would contribute a combined $15 million to the research, which will look at new technology that can reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Combined, the U.S. and China release nearly 40% of the world’s carbon dioxide into the air.

Energy efficiency in buildings is a major issue in both countries, and Chu said that by working with the Chinese, the two nations can resolve this major problem.

"The U.S. and China are two great nations, and clean energy is one of the great opportunities of our time," said Chu. "Working together, we can accomplish more than acting alone."