Center for Clean Energy Innovation
Innovation to make energy both clean and competitive must be a central goal of climate and energy policy. ITIF’s Center for Clean Energy Innovation exists to elevate this imperative in the policy debate in the United States and around the world. We conduct research, provide nonpartisan analysis, generate policy proposals, and convene members of the analytical and policymaking communities with this mission firmly in focus. (Read more about the Center.)
- Spotlight: Building the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI)—The Center was instrumental in developing the congressionally chartered nonprofit foundation that was included in the 2022 CHIPS Plus Science bill to assist DOE and advance its mission, and we are continuing to support FESI’s ramp-up.
- Spotlight: Expanding DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations—Congress authorized and funded a new DOE office in 2021 to pursue large-scale energy demonstration projects. The Center has an ongoing stream of analytical and outreach work seeking to expand that portfolio of projects and improve their management. See our “OCED Observatory Newsletter,” and contact Hannah Boyles if you’d like to be added to its email list.
- Spotlight: Tracking funding pathways for RD&D at the U.S. Department of Energy over time and across programs and subprograms. See the interactive data visualization.
- Stay up to date with the Center’s work by signing up for ITIF’s weekly emails and checking the box for more on “Clean Energy Innovation.”
- Make a tax-exempt donation to support the program—as The New York Times and Vox have recommended as one the most effective ways to fight climate change based on evidence-based analysis.
Featured Publications
Decarbonizing the Chemical Industry: Policy Insights From a Case Study of PVC
A recent first-of-its-kind study of the value chain for polyvinyl chloride production in the United States provides valuable insights into the types and sequencing of policies that will be required to decarbonize chemical production.
Climate Innovation Policy From Glasgow to Pittsburgh
In September, ministers will gather in Pittsburgh to consider how their governments should respond to the energy and climate innovation imperative. Building on Glasgow, the meeting should strive to fill critical gaps in areas such as capital-intensive demonstration projects and innovation-friendly trade in carbon-intensive goods.
The Hydrogen Hubs Conundrum: How to Fund an Ecosystem
Recent federal legislation provides $8 billion to develop at least four hydrogen hubs, but little guidance. DOE should focus its funding on the capital costs of hydrogen production and infrastructure, while generally eschewing operating expenses and support for end users.
Closing the Gap: Priorities for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building RD&D Portfolio
The building sector is not on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Federal RD&D investments have been disproportionately low, while national strategies that address the key hurdles of decarbonizing the building sector have been lacking.
Mission, Money, and Process Makeover: How Federal Procurement Can Catalyze Clean Energy Investment and Innovation
Using federal procurement to advance sustainable energy goals has had only limited success in the past. To break the pattern, the White House needs a plan that aligns with agency missions, is adequately funded, and fixes perverse budget and procurement rules.
Events
March 16, 2023
Petrochemicals Without the Petro: A New Initiative?
Watch to learn more about these exciting innovations and to discuss a federal initiative (such as a DOE EarthShot) to accelerate them.
October 27, 2022
Mission Critical: Accelerating Innovation at COP 27
Watch thought leaders from ITIF, IIT-Delhi School of Public Policy, and the Climate Policy Lab at The Fletcher School, Tufts University share their visions for a successful COP for innovation, building off the September 12th forum published in Nature Energy.
October 13, 2022
Decarbonizing Chemical Production: Innovation Strategies
Watch the webinar where we shared new work from ITIF, George Mason’s Center for Energy Science and Policy, and the Center for Houston’s Future that investigates these pathways and explores policy options to decarbonize chemical production.
September 7, 2022
Buying Power: How Federal Procurement Can Drive Clean Energy Innovation
Join ITIF for an expert panel discussion about a new report by ITIF board member and former DOD and GSA sustainability leader Dorothy Robyn.
July 26, 2022
Accelerating More Equitable EV Adoption Through Technological, Business Model, and Policy Innovation
ITIF’s Center for Clean Energy Innovation hosted an expert discussion on the findings and policy implications of a new report examining the connection between equity and innovation in the context of EVs.
Staff
More From the Center
March 23, 2023|Testimonies & Filings
Comments to DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions Regarding the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI)
FESI is an idea whose time has come. DOE drives action toward many of the United States’ most vital goals: a strong, secure economy; global leadership in science and technology; eliminating climate pollution at home and around the world, and much more. Congress seized an historic opportunity to accelerate progress toward these goals by authorizing DOE to establish and collaborate closely with FESI.
March 22, 2023|Testimonies & Filings
Comments to the DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstration Regarding Demand-Side Support for Clean Energy Technologies
Demand-side support measures such as direct procurement, advanced market commitments, and guaranteed price floors can advance DOE’s mission by providing a predictable commercial market for clean energy technologies.
March 17, 2023|Blogs
FESI for Regions: How the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation Can Contribute to Place-Based Energy Innovation
DOE needs to build deeper connections with the nation’s diverse regional economies in order to advance FESI's mission effectively.
March 8, 2023|Blogs
An Unenergized America: A Midterm Assessment of U.S. Energy Funding
The FY 2023 omnibus bill increased the Energy Department’s budget by $1.4 billion. Along with provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, the future of clean energy innovation should be bright. But a closer look reveals notable funding gaps.
March 3, 2023|Reports & Briefings
OCED Observatory Newsletter, Issue 5: H2Hub Competition Narrows
DOE has received 79 applications for hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) funding and recommended that 33 submit a full proposal. This edition of the newsletter also includes two special sections: a review of major hydrogen investments and the outlook of European hydrogen efforts.
March 3, 2023|Blogs
Petrochemicals Without Fossil Fuels: A National Climate-Tech Initiative
Zero-emission petrochemical production has never enjoyed the focus, the visibility, or the resources directed at other energy innovations. This must change.
February 28, 2023|Op-Eds & Commentary
Drilling for Clean Energy Innovation
A portion of all new federal royalties from oil and gas drilling leases should go into a dedicated clean energy innovation fund, according to an op-ed written by Stefan Koester.
