【ITIF】美国州和地区能源创新指数_72页_1mb

US State and Regional Energy Innovation Index Summary

Core Content

The US State and Regional Energy Innovation Index is a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate the potential of regional innovation ecosystems to contribute to the clean energy transition and the national net-zero strategy. It measures the capacity of states and regions to develop, improve, and scale clean energy technologies by assessing 9 key innovation system functions and 14 technology-specific areas.

The report emphasizes the importance of regional innovation ecosystems in driving the energy transition, as they foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and integration of complex systems. These ecosystems are crucial for reducing the cost and improving the performance of emissions-reducing technologies, which are essential for mitigating climate change while maintaining economic growth.

Main Points

• Clean Energy Innovation is Key to Net-Zero Goals: To address climate change, the US needs a diverse range of clean energy technologies that are both affordable and effective. Regional innovation ecosystems can significantly contribute to this effort.

• Federal Legislation Supports Regional Innovation: The 2021 American Rescue Plan and the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act have introduced new federal programs that support regional innovation ecosystems, such as the Tech Hubs initiative and the Clean Energy Demonstrations program.

• State and Regional Strategies Are Emerging: Many states and regions have adopted clean energy-based economic development strategies to position themselves for future growth, especially in the context of the energy transition.

• The Index Measures Key Functions: The index is composed of four subindices:

  • Knowledge Development and Diffusion
  • Entrepreneurial Experimentation
  • Supply Chain and Market Formation
  • Social Legitimation

• Technology-Specific Indicators: The report also includes 14 technology-specific indices, such as Advanced Energy Materials, Bioenergy, Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), Clean Energy Manufacturing, and Wind Energy, which help highlight regional specializations.

Key Information

Federal Programs and Support

• The Tech Hubs program, authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act, aims to make regions globally competitive in future industries. It includes:

  • 31 consortia eligible for grants of $50 million to $75 million.
  • 29 strategy development grants, with some targeting future eligibility.
  • Preference for fossil-fuel-dependent communities in many programs.

• The DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) is implementing an $8 billion program for clean hydrogen hubs and has $20 billion more for other clean energy demonstration projects.

Regional Case Study: New Energy New York (NENY)

• NENY is a regional initiative led by Binghamton University to develop a battery technology and manufacturing hub in New York’s Southern Tier.
• It includes state and local government, universities, community organizations, and nonprofits.
• NENY has secured significant federal funding, including:
  • $63.7 million from the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge.
  • $15 million from the NSF Regional Engine Award.
• The initiative focuses on technology prototyping, supplier certification, workforce development, and start-up incubation, with an emphasis on equity.

Limitations of the Index

• The index is not perfect, as it does not fully capture private R&D spending.
• There are data constraints in measuring clean energy employment and innovation policies, especially in the supply chain and market formation and social legitimation subindices.
• The report recommends that federal agencies invest in improved measurement systems to better inform state and regional economic development strategies.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The report concludes that regional innovation ecosystems are vital for the energy transition and net-zero strategy. It recommends:

• Continued federal support for state and regional capacity-building in clean energy innovation.
• Better coordination among federal programs.
• Improved measurement systems to enhance the accuracy and utility of the index.
• Sustained momentum in clean energy-based economic development (CEBED) strategies to ensure long-term success in the transition to a low-carbon economy.

These efforts will help regions adapt to the energy transition, repurpose existing assets, and build new capabilities in clean energy technologies, ensuring they remain economically dynamic in a future with reduced carbon emissions.