January 1, 2014—The U.S. Department of Energy has released three new reports showcasing strong growth across the U.S. fuel cell and hydrogen technologies market, including growth in fuel cell commercial deployments such as material handling equipment (forklifts, etc.), combined heat and power systems (CHP), and emergency power units.
According to these reports, the United States continues to be one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets for fuel cell and hydrogen technologies. In 2012, nearly 80 percent of total investment in the global fuel cell industry was made in U.S. companies, says the DOE.
The DOE’s 2012 Fuel Cell Technologies Market Report details trends in the U.S. fuel cell and hydrogen technologies market. The report highlights continued growth in fuel cell commercial deployments, including material handling equipment such as forklifts, as well as combined heat and power systems and back-up and auxiliary power units. The report also notes that research and development on light duty fuel cell electric vehicles continues to advance, and several large automakers anticipate commercialization by 2017.
The States of the States, Fuel Cells in America 2013 report highlights leadership among U.S. states to grow domestic fuel cell manufacturing and deployment. The report recognizes California, Connecticut, New York, Ohio and South Carolina for leading the country with continued and expanded support for fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, helping to reduce emissions, improve energy efficiency, and create new job and business opportunities. The report also highlights efforts in Delaware, New Jersey, Texas and other states to advance fuel cell technologies.
According to the third report, Pathways to Commercial Success: Technologies and Products Supported by the Fuel Cell Technologies Office, the DOE’s fuel cell research and development efforts over the last decade have helped manufacture about 40 new commercial technologies in the United States, support 65 new technologies that are expected to reach commercial scale within the next three to five years, and issue more than 450 U.S. patents.
“Building a U.S. fuel cell and hydrogen technologies industry over the past few years is helping to pave the way to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future that protects our air and water, gives businesses more transportation options and reduces oil dependence,” said DOE Secretary Ernest Moniz. “As part of an all-of-the-above energy approach, fuel cell technologies are paving the way to competitiveness in the global clean energy market and to new jobs and business creation across the country.”
