In a recent study, the National Research Council (NRC) concluded that there was a big pay-off in some areas of the Department of Energy's (DOE) research and development program and none in others. "Energy Research at DOE: Was It Worth It?" was written at the request of Congress. It covers the years 1978 to 2000 and is reviewed by Jeff Johnson in Chemical Engineering News for 6 August 2001. An Energy feature (Summer 2001 issue) also discussed highlights of the report. Big returns, according to that report, resulted from more energy efficient compressors for refrigeration and freezing, better electronic ballasts for fluorescent lights, and window panes with improved thermal insulation.
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