The Foundation for Developing New Energy Technologies: Basic Energy Research in the DOE Office of Science

Opening Statement By Chairman Nick Lampson

Good morning and welcome to today’s hearing on basic energy research in the DOE Office of Science.  There has been a lot of attention in recent years on developing new clean energy technologies, but not enough on strengthening the foundations that will make these future technologies possible.  That is what the Basic Energy Sciences program in the Office of Science is all about.

This program covers a wide range of fundamental research that supports our efforts to achieve major advancements in energy technologies.  Basic research in materials science, physics, and chemistry will enable us to make cheaper, more efficient solar cells; long-lasting batteries for plug-in hybrid vehicles; and high-temperature superconductors that would dramatically reduce energy losses on the electric grid.  And these are just a few examples.

This morning we will also hear about the important role played by major research facilities built and managed by the BES program.  These facilities are real jewels of our national research infrastructure.  They are utilized by over 9,000 people each year including professors and students from universities across the country, as well as researchers from companies that manufacture a wide range of products from power generation equipment and appliances to pharmaceuticals.  There is high demand for use of these unique facilities and the research opportunities they provide.

Today we will hear from a distinguished panel of witnesses about how this program is gearing up to address the broad scope of our energy challenges.  I also want to hear about the relationship between the BES program in the Office of Science and the near-term applied programs at DOE, like those managed by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Office of Fossil Energy.  We want to ensure that important discoveries at BES move on to be incorporated into new energy applications.

The Basic Energy Sciences program is a critical component in our energy research and development portfolio.  I thank our witnesses for appearing before the Subcommittee this morning and I look forward to your testimony.

Witnesses

Panel

4 - Dr. Thomas Russell
Director of the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center on Polymers University of Massachusetts University of Massachusetts
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3 - Dr. Ernest Hall
Chief Scientist, Chemistry Technologies and Materials Characterization GE Global Research GE Global Research
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1 - Dr. Patricia Dehmer
Deputy Director of Science Office of Science Department of Energy Office of Science Department of Energy
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2 - Dr. Steven Dierker
Associate Laboratory Director for Light Sources Brookhaven National Laboratory Department of Energy Brookhaven National Laboratory Department of Energy
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