Metro Hartford Alliance Newsroom
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – Nov. 29, 2016 – Connecticut is one of the top three states, including California and New York, leading the statewide use of hydrogen and fuel cells in the United States, according to the State of the States: Fuel Cells in America 2016 report issued by the U.S. Department of Energy this month.
The designation by the U.S. DOE is significant, recognizing the state support to increase the environmental performance, reliability and cost-effectiveness of stationary and transportation energy systems. Connecticut also comprehends the economic value of these clean energy systems; with growth of the industry comes growth of the state economy and job creation.
As stated in the report, Connecticut ranks second in the nation behind California in stationary fuel cell installations “with 35MW installed, 20 MW planned and a 63.3 MW installation approved by the state’s Siting Council that would become the largest fuel cell park in the world.”
Currently, more than 600 Connecticut companies are part of the Northeast supply chain. An IMPLAN economic analysis of the Northeast region’s hydrogen and fuel cell industry, commissioned by the Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster (NEESC), revealed that Connecticut’s hydrogen and fuel cell sector realized $726 million in revenue and investment, generated 3,400 direct, indirect and induced jobs plus more than $340 million in labor income, and contributed more than $39 million in state and local tax revenues in 2015.
Leading Connecticut’s hydrogen and fuel cell charge are state government agencies including the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut’s congressional delegation and state legislature, the Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition, and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT), which administers the Coalition and NEESC.
About CCAT
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT) is a nonprofit organization, headquartered in East Hartford, Conn., that creates and executes bold ideas advancing applied technologies, IT strategies, energy solutions, STEM education, and career development. By leading state, regional, and national partnerships, CCAT helps manufacturers, academia, government and nonprofit organizations excel. Learn more at ccat.us, or follow CCAT on Twitter – @CCATInc.
About NEESC
The Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster is a network of industry, academic, government and non-governmental leaders working together to provide energy storage solutions. The cluster is focused on the innovative development, production, promotion and deployment of hydrogen fuels and fuel cells to meet the pressing demand for energy storage solutions. The cluster is based in New York, New Jersey, and the New England States. Its initial formation and development is funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Innovative Economies Initiative and administered by CCAT. www.neesc.org
About CHFCC
The Connecticut Hydrogen-Fuel Cell Coalition, administered by CCAT, is comprised of representatives from Connecticut’s fuel cell and hydrogen industry, labor, academia, government, and other stakeholders. CCAT and the Coalition work to enhance economic growth in Connecticut through the development, manufacture, and deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies and associated fueling systems.