Dr. Mark Johnson Addresses Copper Industry on Clean Energy Technology Partnerships

June 23, 2016

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Office Delivers a Keynote Speech on Federal Partnerships with Industry and Academia, and the Department of Energy’s Influence on the Energy Sector

NEW YORK, NY— “Partnerships with academia and industry groups, such as the Copper Development Association (CDA), are vital to reducing barriers in the scale-up and adoption of emerging clean energy technologies,” Dr. Mark Johnson, the director of the Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO) in the Department of Energy told copper manufacturers, fabricators, and distributors who attended the group’s annual spring meeting last Wednesday.

His presentation began with an account of the dramatic changes that have happened over the past 6 years, delving into clean energy’s dynamic and increasingly significant relationship with the American economy, national energy security, and the global environment. The presentation also guided members of the copper industry on how they may work individually with AMO, specifically through the Better Plants Program, which provides manufacturers with technical assistance to improve the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings by 20 percent by 2020.

A crucial partner in reaching America’s energy ambitions, copper is an integral component in sustainable energy initiatives because of its superior reliability, efficiency, and performance. The metal’s exceptional electric and thermal conductivity make it distinctively suited for and prevalent in renewable and efficient energy infrastructure. Copper’s properties heighten the lasting dependability, energy efficiency, and operational lifespan of solar and wind power generators, energy storage, electric motors, and transformers.

“The Copper Development Association was very interested in Dr. Mark Johnson’s address,” said Thom Passek, CDA president. “Our members are eager to find new opportunities to work with the Department of Energy and to build toward America’s efficient, reliable, and sustainable energy future.”

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