US and China to create clean energy research centre

According to a statement, the centre will develop technologies for low-energy residential and commercial buildings, as well as work on commercialisation of those technologies and research how human behaviour affects building energy use.

The Clean Energy Resource Center (CERC) will receive $12.5m (£7.8m) over five years. The funding will be matched by consortium partners to provide at least $25m in total US funding. Chinese counterparts will contribute an additional $25m.

‘The US-China Clean Energy Research Center will help to save energy and cut costs in buildings in both the US and China,’ said David Sandalow, assistant secretary of Energy for Policy and International Affairs. ‘This new partnership will also create new export opportunities for American companies, ensure the US remains at the forefront of technology innovation and help to reduce global carbon pollution.’

Studies have concluded that significant energy savings are possible through more energy-efficient buildings; savings on the order of 40 per cent for existing buildings and 60 to 70 per cent for new buildings.