In the quest for a sustainable future, innovation in clean energy stands as a central pillar. The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation's (ITIF) Center for Clean Energy Innovation is at the forefront of this imperative, advocating for policies that drive both clean and competitive energy solutions. The Center's mission is to elevate the discourse around clean energy, conducting rigorous research, offering nonpartisan analysis, crafting policy proposals, and facilitating discussions among key stakeholders in the policy and analytical communities.
One of the Center’s significant contributions is the development of the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI). This congressionally chartered nonprofit, included in the 2022 CHIPS Plus Science bill, aims to bolster the Department of Energy’s (DOE) mission. FESI is designed to support DOE in advancing energy security and innovation, and the Center continues to play a pivotal role in its ramp-up. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure that clean energy technologies are both viable and scalable, addressing critical energy security concerns while promoting innovation.
The DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, established in 2021, has a mandate to pursue large-scale energy demonstration projects. The Center for Clean Energy Innovation is deeply involved in expanding this portfolio, providing analytical support and engaging in outreach to improve project management. This work is essential in showcasing the practical applications of clean energy technologies, demonstrating their feasibility, and paving the way for broader adoption.
Tracking funding pathways for energy research
An important aspect of the Center’s work involves tracking the funding pathways for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) at the DOE. This tracking is crucial for understanding how federal investment drives innovation in clean energy. The Center’s interactive data visualization tool allows stakeholders to explore these funding patterns over time and across different programs and subprograms, providing valuable insights into the allocation of resources and the impact of governmental support.
Regional energy innovation ecosystems
Regional energy innovation ecosystems are vital components of any national strategy to achieve net-zero emissions. These ecosystems harness local resources and capabilities, contributing significantly to the development and deployment of clean energy technologies. The Center emphasizes the importance of benchmarking these regional efforts to understand their potential impact on the price and performance of clean energy solutions.
A realist approach to hydrogen
Hydrogen, while a promising clean energy carrier, presents several practical challenges, including high production costs and transportation difficulties. The Center advocates for a realist approach to hydrogen policy, focusing on overcoming these hurdles to make hydrogen a viable component of the global green transition.
Mission innovation: Reflecting on progress
Despite the ambitious pledges made by 23 countries and the European Union in 2015 to double their investments in clean energy RD&D by 2020, only one nation met this goal. The Center’s analysis of Mission Innovation Phase 2 reveals continued underinvestment in clean energy, highlighting the need for renewed commitments and realistic strategies to meet these targets.
The Center argues that the green transition cannot be achieved solely through subsidies, regulations, and exhortations. Instead, the focus should be on developing clean technologies that can compete with conventional energy sources on price and performance. By achieving this parity, markets will naturally adopt these technologies at scale, driving the green transition forward.
The Center for Clean Energy Innovation’s efforts align closely with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. By promoting policies and innovations that enhance the affordability and competitiveness of clean energy technologies, the Center is contributing to a global movement towards a sustainable energy future. These efforts are crucial in addressing climate change and ensuring that clean energy solutions are accessible and effective on a global scale.
The ITIF’s Center for Clean Energy Innovation is a driving force in the quest for clean, competitive energy solutions. Through research, policy advocacy, and strategic initiatives, the Center is making significant strides towards a sustainable and energy-secure future, in alignment with global goals for affordable and clean energy.
Sources and more information: https://itif.org/centers/clean-energy-innovation/
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