US Energy Department launches clean-energy wiki

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has launched an open-source wiki that’s available to anyone interested in helping to deploy clean-energy technologies around the world.

The Open Energy Information web platform will make the department’s resources and open energy data widely available to the public.

“This information platform will allow people across the globe to benefit from the Department of Energy’s clean energy data and technical resources,” said Secretary of Energy Steven Chu. “The true potential of this tool will grow with the public’s participation — as they add new data and share their expertise — to ensure that all communities have access to the information they need to broadly deploy the clean energy resources of the future.”

The DOE worked with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and other national laboratories to develop and populate the Open Energy Information platform. The site currently houses more than 60 clean-energy resources and data sets, including maps of worldwide solar and wind potential, information on climate zones and best practices.

OpenEI.org also links to the Virtual Information Bridge to Energy (VIBE), which is designed as a data analysis hub that will provide a dynamic portal for better understanding energy data. The NREL will continue to develop, monitor, and maintain both sites.

OpenEI.org is designed so anyone can upload additional data to the site and download information in easy-to-use formats. Over time, the DOE plans to expand the portal to include online training and technical expert networks.

A group of six departments and agencies across the federal government is also working together to spur innovation by making it easier for high-tech companies to identify collaborative, entrepreneurial opportunities.  By making information from multiple agencies available in RSS and XML feeds on Data.gov, the National Assets programme will increase access to information on publicly-funded technologies that are available for license, opportunities for federal funding and partnerships, and potential private-sector partners.  The information is aimed at helping innovators find the information they need and receive real-time updates to spur their businesses and help create new jobs.