Supplemental Information for Hearing on Renewable Energy by the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Energy on August 2nd, 2006

Hearing Charter, U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Subcommittee on Energy [2006 August 2]

"Renewable energy technologies – research directions, investment opportunities, and challenges to commercial application in the United States and the developing world"

Webcast (Ron Swenson's testimony begins at 51:25)

Hearing on Renewable Energy Technologies, House Science Committee, Subcommittee on Energy, Testimony by Ron Swenson [2006 August 2]

"Since 1992, I have been involved in renewable energy education projects, primarily applications of solar electricity, in Mexico, Uganda, Bolivia, Ecuador, Bhutan and Peru.

"Coincidentally, just yesterday in Quito, Ecuador, the United Nations Development Programme announced that SolarQuest® (our non-profit arm) has been given responsibility for planning a Renewable Energy Applications Laboratory in the Galapagos Islands. We call it the "REAL-Lab." Since 2002 we have been providing human capacity building for renewable energy in the Islands -installing wireless internet, working with secondary school students to assess energy conservation, install solar with hands-on training, and monitor the performance of solar and diesel generators there.

In the next phase of our work, we are integrating international initiatives to transform energy in the islands to renewables, reducing the risk of oil spills that threaten the unique endemic wildlife there. With guidance from the UNDP, Ecuador's Ministry of Energy, the Galapagos National Institute, and the e8 Network, we are teaming with universities in the US to serve as our capacity partners. Each university will bring unique skill-sets in renewable energy research and education into partnership with universities in Ecuador. When we open the lab to broader membership, other nations will also enjoy these benefits...."

"This issue of SOLAR TODAY focuses on the Global Hubbert Peak, the point in time when petroleum (and natural gas) will go into unavoidable decline. Here we explore the options available in light of dwindling fossil fuel resources, and we speculate on the scale of solar energy development that will be needed to overcome the expected oil and natural gas shortfall."