Connecticut continues to move forward with aggressive implementation of an energy strategy that includes procurement of offshore wind, development of solar facilities, installation of fuel cells, and development of biomass facilities.
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Connecticut continues to move forward with aggressive implementation of an energy strategy that includes procurement of offshore wind, development of solar facilities, installation of fuel cells, and development of biomass facilities.
This renewable-energy agenda with zero- or low-carbon fuels makes good sense to increase energy sustainability and long-term reliability, reduce waste, improve air quality, and reduce carbon for climate control.
This energy agenda also appropriately includes replacement of older obsolete baseload facilities with new high-efficiency combined cycle natural gas facilities derived from our aerospace industry that are reliable and cost-effective as we transition into a fully sustainable energy environment.
Development of these energy resources in Connecticut helps to provide jobs related to construction and operation. These values are not insignificant in that they provide thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue to the Connecticut economy.
Further, Connecticut has a premier supply chain to research, manufacture, and assemble advanced energy technology, including energy storage, electrolyzers, fuel cells, turbines and blades made with advanced composites, and high-speed foil bearings.
New renewable-energy technologies made in Connecticut or supplied with components from the Connecticut manufacturing supply chain will further improve the value proposition for Connecticut with additional jobs and revenues.
High-tech businesses seeking to operate in Connecticut will also find this green-energy economy of value to support product lines that include IT server farms, bioscience and health care.
The message here: Connecticut is a technologically advanced state and we should continue to use our manufacturing and supply chain industries to research, manufacture and develop advanced renewable-energy technologies.
In addition, where and when possible, these technologies should be interconnected in Connecticut to provide reliable service directly to consumers.
It will not be possible to make and site all of these renewable technologies in Connecticut, but our policy goals can maximize the value proposition with jobs and revenues that provide research from our research institutions including UConn, utilize our manufacturing talent to make these technologies, engage our world-class supply chain for the production of components, and use our construction industry for assembly work.
With this policy for energy sustainability and action to facilitate transformation through replacement of older obsolete power facilities, Connecticut will be on a favorable pathway to provide clean, cost-effective and reliable energy to consumers in Connecticut that will further enhance Connecticut’s position as a world-class manufacturer and global leader in clean-energy technology.
Joel M. Rinebold is director of energy at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology.
