U.S. energy chief stresses renewables in UAE

* U.S. wants stable oil price

* Stresses renewables and carbon emissions

ABU DHABI, Feb 24 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu put a big stress on renewable energy and carbon emissions rather than on crude oil on his maiden official visit to the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday.

Speaking at length about innovation and calling for a more judicious use of energy, Chu touched only briefly on oil prices, supplies and imports after the lecture.

"We want the price (of oil) to be as open and transparent as possible and we want a stable price," he told reporters, adding that price volatility is not good for producers nor consumers.

Chu declined to give a price range for oil that would support growth in the world's largest economy.

The global recession, he said, created an oversupply of oil in the markets and the United States would cut imports by curbing its demand.

"We are moderating our demand for oil in general and we are about to decrease our demand for imported oil," he said.

BUSH CONTRAST

His main remarks, in an-hour long lecture that ranged from the uses of algae to the energy efficiency of some birds, came in stark contrast to the Bush administration's focus on crude oil markets.

"The U.S. should reduce its carbon emissions by 80 percent by mid century. It is our responsibility to bring down our use of energy and we can do this without sacrificing our prosperity," he said.

The Obama administration has an investment outlay of $80 billion for clean energy and $8 billion for innovation, he added.

Chu underscored the importance of developing and deploying renwable energy including solar, wind and other forms such as algae for biofuels.

"The UAE is making great strides in algae (as biofuel) and that has real potential," he said.

From algae, Chu moved on to energy efficiency comparing the Bar-tailed Godwit with the Boeing 777 saying that both the bird and the airplane fly non-stop for 11,000 km (6,835 miles) without using up all their energy. (Reporting by Amena Bakr and Stanley Carvalho; Editing by Keiron Henderson)