29 10 For the Alternative Fuels Utilization subprogram, $1.3 million is requested, which is designed to establish a utilization oriented data base for alternative fuels in both contemporary and advanced heat engines. These funds will be used to conduct performance investigations into the fundamental behavior of synthetic fuels in conventional and advanced single- and multi-cylinder engines; to develop test synthetic fuels for project activities and the scientific community; and to continue data collection and analysis of the methanol-fueled vehicle fleet operations. The Electric and Hybrid Vehicle subprogram request is $4.1 million which supports R&D activities necessary to advance the technologies of batteries and propulsion systems for passenger car and commercial van or light truck applications. These funds will be used to continue the development and laboratory testing of experimental flow-through lead-acid, sodium-sulfur, and zinc-bromine battery systems for electric vehicle application and to continue the dual-shaft a.c. propulsion system, which includes the development and vehicle integration of nickel-iron battery technology. For the Advanced Materials Development subprogram the request is $6.5 million. This area addresses the need to develop improved materials that can withstand the high temperatures and corrosive environments of high performance energy conversion systems and, in particular, advanced transportation engines. The funds will be used to establish an industrial ceramic technology base through research on materials and processing of monolithic silicon nitride and silicon carbide, oxide matrix and dispersion toughened composites, thermal and wear zirconia-based coatings, dynamic interfaces, data base and life prediction, and International Energy Agency standardization of ceramic materials and 11 testing. No funds are being requested for the publication and distribution of the Gas Mileage Guide. DOE will submit a legislative initiative to remove the mandatory printing and distribution of the Guide. DOE will encourage the private sector (automotive publications and newspapers) to print the fuel economy information when it is released each new model year by the Environmental Protection Agency. The information contained in the Guide is available to consumers from these sources and each new car sticker is required to include mileage ratings and comparison data. Finally, $1.4 million is requested for 22 full-time equivalent positions to provide direction and management for the transportation programs. Multi-Sector The Multi-Sector Program includes the Energy-Conversion and Utilization the National Appropriate Technology Assistance Service (NATAS). The FY 1987 budget request for Multi-Sector includes $15.8 million for ECUT, $3.3 million for the Energy-Related Inventions Program, and $0.75 million for NATAS. The Energy Conversion and Utilization Technologies research activities are oriented toward basic research and crosscutting R&D problems common to more than one energy consuming sector. They also provide predictive models and design tools useful to the private sector in achieving greater energy productivity. The requested funding will be used to conduct research in six subprogram areas: Combustion and Thermal Sciences, Materials, Biocatalysis, 12 Tribology, International Research Monitoring, and Conservation Program In FY 1987, $4.8 million is requested for Combustion and Thermal Sciences Subprogram. Combustion research provides analytical and measuring techniques needed to understand the thermochemical and related processes that take place in the combustion of fuels and in the conversion of the released thermal energy to work. The results of this research are used to develop efficient, clean, and reliable combustion systems and devices. Thermal Sciences research develops improved thermodynamic analytical capabilities and experimentally validated computerized data bases. These are needed to provide the technological base used to improve heat transfer processes, reduce heat transfer surface area requirements, and minimize vibration induced by fluid flow through heat exchangers. In FY 1987, research will proceed to develop advanced analysis techniques and to generate a technological data base for the physical sciences of thermodynamics and heat and mass transfer. The $5.4 million requested for Materials research will be used to investigate and modify the characteristics of high-temperature materials and to further develop the materials-by-design concept. Certain materials such as Long-Range Ordered (LRO) Alloys and Intermetallic Compounds, both of which have highly ordered atomic structures, have great potential for improving the efficiency and performance of high temperature processes, but have not yet been utilized because of their characteristic brittleness. The $2.4 million requested for Biocatalysis research will be used to establish a technological data base for the development of new techniques to manufacture industrial and commercial chemicals using biological systems analogous to conventional processes in 13 chemical engineering. The $2.4 million requested for the Tribology subprogram will be used for research on lubricants, friction and wear to ceramics, and coatings on machine tools that reduce heat and last longer. Other ECUT funding requested in the FY 1987 budget--$0.8 million-- will be used to assess the status of foreign technologies related to energy conservation and compare it with U.S. technologies, for supporting analyses and for updating the Conservation 5-year plan. The FY 1987 budget requests $3.3 million for the Energy-Related Inventions Program. This Program was established to evaluate the technical merits of energy-related inventions submitted to DOE and to provide technical assistance and grants to further develop promising inventions. The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) conducts evaluations through its Office of Energy-Related Inventions. Promising inventions identified by NBS are directed to DOE for further assistance to investigate sources of private sector funding or direct support where private sector support is not available. From program inception in 1974 through 1985 approximately 22,000 energy saving inventions had been evaluated by NBS. Based on NBS recommendations, 224 inventions have been awarded grants totalling $16.1 million. Of these, 36 have entered the marketplace generating sales of approximately $110 million and creating more than 900 direct jobs. In FY 1987, the $3.3 million requested will support the analysis of approximately 1000 proposed inventions, and financial support for approximately 22 of the most promising inventions. During FY 1987, DOE will continue to work one-on-one with inventors to provide business planning assistance, and will 14 conduct workshops which we have tested and found to be very helpful to inventors in dealing with the various and complicated aspects of commercialization. Appropriate Technology The Appropriate Technology Program was established to support the development and demonstration of small-scale energy technologies that were matched in scale and nature to local needs. Over 2,000 projects were supported, and almost 900 development projects were completed, to advance the state-of-theart in Appropriate Technology. In FY 1983, Congress appropriated funds to establish the National Appropriate Technology Assistance Service, to disseminate information on the energy conservation technologies developed through this program and to give expert advice and guidance in using them effectively. NATAS was established in FY 1984, and to date has received over 6,000 requests for information and assistance. The FY 1986 Budget Request contains $0.75 million for NATAS, for the continuation of information and technical assistance to individuals and small businesses. We are also requesting $0.5 million for program direction to support 8 full-time equivalent positions to manage the Multi-Sector program. FY 1987 BUDGET REQUEST FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY The availability of stable and secure sources of energy will continue to play an important role in sustaining a robust domestic economy. The Department's renewable energy programs reflect a continuing national commitment to |