With China and other countries racing ahead in the clean energy industry, US Energy Secretary Steven Chu has commented that the US is facing a new “Sputnik Moment” and will need a similar mobilisation of innovation to compete in the global race.
The original Sputnik moment occurred in 1957 when the Soviet Union placed the Sputnik satellite into orbit and beat the US and its Project Vanguard into space.
Now Secretary Chu believes that China’s investments in clean energy technologies represent both a challenge and an opportunity for the US and while China’s experience with rapid, large scale deployment of technologies makes it an important global testing ground it also means the US cannot afford to take scientific leadership for granted.
Chu highlighted several key technologies where the US must innovate or risk falling behind. These include high voltage transmissions; high speed rail; advanced coal technologies; nuclear power; alternative energy vehicles; renewable energy; and supercomputing.
In particular, Chu has called for increased support of energy research and development and a “sensible”, long range energy policy that has bipartisan support and will guide the private sector of the US. He also detailed a number of promising research efforts that are already under way including 500mile electric vehicle batteries and solar fuels.
Do you think that the US is being left behind by China in the new energy race? Leave a comment below with your thoughts.
