Energy R&D: Shaping our Nation's Future in a Competitive World

Final Report of the Task Force on Strategic Energy Research and Development

June 1995

Secretary of Energy Advisory Board, U.S. Department of Energy


Table of Contents

Preface
Summary of Findings
Summary of Recommendations
Chapter 1 -- The R&D Policy Context
The Boundaries of Debate
Fiscal Reality
A Brewing R&D Crisis?
Energy R&D
The Changing Character of American R&D
R&D Drives Economic Growth
Allowing for the Unexpected
Why Today's Debate?
Chapter 2 -- The Energy Context
What Is Different?
New Challenges
Energy Is Fundamental
Chapter 3 -- DOE's Role in Energy R&D
Development of the R&D Program
Changing Priorities
Who Performs?
Program Management
The Disappearing "E" in "DOE"?
Chapter 4 -- Recommendations
Recommendation 1
Recommendation 2
Toward "Best Practices"
A 15-Percent Cost Reduction Target
Meeting the Target
Recommendation 3
The Criteria
The Need for Metrics
Task Force Survey
Strategic R&D Management
The Industry Component: Why Cost-Sharing?
The University Component
Te National Laboratory Component
Recommendation 4
The Need for Integration
R&D Advisory Board
Recommendation 5
Urgent Need for Continuity: A Two-Year Budget Cycle
Alternative Financing
Chapter 5 -- Conclusion

Acknowledgment