Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - 2:20 PM
A Strategic Plan to Address Functional Energy Values and Economic Development
Many states have positioned themselves to take advantage of economic and/or functional values associated with the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. Connecticut and some of these states also face electric capacity deficiencies, aging energy infrastructure, and non-attainment for certain “criteria” pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. Consequently, there is a need for strategic energy planning to enhance energy reliability, improve environmental quality, and foster economic vitality. The State of Connecticut has addressed this challenge with a ‘Hydrogen Roadmap’, a strategic plan to address both functional energy values and economic development to ensure that Connecticut maintains energy independence and increases its position as a world leader in the hydrogen/fuel cell industry. The Roadmap includes market analyses, geographic targets for development, internal and external values, models for deployment of stationary and transportation fuel cell technology, initiatives for research and development, and plans for workforce development. Internal and external values are quantified for Connecticut ’s economy, employment, and energy production. Models for deployment include legislative directives, strategic funding, tax abatement, technological models for geographic targeting, environmental mandates, and renewable energy objectives. Market analysis includes identification of technological opportunities within regional, national and international markets. This strategic plan may serve as a model for other states to follow with proposed solutions for improved environmental quality, improved energy management and economic development.
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