Scaling Energy Transformation at DOE’s ARPA-E Summit

Today, Mike Splinter spoke at the Department of Energy’s inaugural ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C. on a panel entitled “Scaling Energy Transformation.” The panel was moderated by Applied Materials Board Member and former Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy Alexander “Andy” Karsner. Along with Mike, the panel included several trailblazers in the renewable energy space, including John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress, Jim Rogers, CEO of Duke Energy and fellow Applied Board Member, and Jonathan Silver, Executive Director of Loan Programs for the Department of Energy. Mike focused on Applied’s long-term experience scaling new technologies like the transistor chip and flat panel displays, and how our company is making similar progress today with solar.

Mike said that while Applied is developing innovative solar technologies that will allow for the large scale deployment of this renewable energy source, what’s keeping the U.S. from becoming a world leader again in the solar industry has little to do with our country’s technological prowess or entrepreneurial spirit, and everything to do with putting the right policies in place. He emphasized the need for a strong national renewable energy standard; a “Green Bank” to provide low-cost financing; and industry incentives like a manufacturing tax credit to spur investment in the renewable energy sector and create the jobs that will put us back on the road to economic recovery.

The day included speeches by other energy luminaries like Jeff Immelt, Chairman & CEO of GE, Tom Friedman, New York Times columnist and best-selling author, and Energy Secretary Chu, all of whom stressed the need for more U.S. leadership in this emerging sector. Similar to perspectives expressed by many at Davos a month ago, the sentiment at ARPA-E was that America stands at a critical inflection point. We can sit back and let the rest of the world dictate how the clean-tech economy will be shaped (and, consequently, reap the benefits) or we can be proactive and shape it ourselves. The choice is ours.