New York’s Climate Act, the nation's most ambitious clean energy initiative to date, challenges industries and communities to reach 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040, 70% renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy-wide carbon neutrality.
Experts predict cleantech will increase jobs, drive the development of new technologies, and strengthen both the regional and state economies. Already, investments in cleantech have created approximately 158,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector, just in the year 2020.
The challenges of reaching a net-zero world are significant, and innovation, investment, and adoption must increase exponentially to achieve it. In addition, climate technologies rarely stand alone — As noted by McKinsey Sustainability, “Most climate technologies are viable only if other climate technologies are also implemented at the level of facilities, enterprises, regions, or value chains.” Rochester's reputation as a hotspot for innovation and fuel cell manufacturing makes it attractive to top manufacturing and industrial companies working in the climate technology space.
Some examples of exciting recent green tech initiatives in Rochester are:
Plug Power’s Gigafactory
Plug Power’s Gigafactory recently announced the opening of a new Innovation Center in Monroe County, which is the world’s first-ever Gigafactory for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) technology. With over 38,000 fuel cell systems for e-mobility, more than any other company in the world, Plug Power has become the largest buyer of liquid hydrogen. Their new facility will manufacture hydrogen fuel cell stacks and electrolyzers utilized in the generation of green hydrogen from renewable electricity.
Regional Cleantech Energy Hydrogen Hub
Announced in March 2022, the Regional Clean Energy Hydrogen Hub establishes an initial group of 40 hydrogen ecosystem partners dedicated to clean infrastructure and clean hydrogen R&D, with a goal to support climate leadership and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85% by 2050. Rochester Institute of Technology is a part of the initiative and will be involved in defining the vision and strategy and supporting environmentally responsible opportunities to develop hydrogen.
Ionomr Innovations
Ionomr Innovations is opening a research and development center in New York, with the roots of the project being planted in Monroe County. This facility will establish the Canadian company’s U.S. presence and focus on advancing the commercialization of fuel cells, hydrogen electrolysis, and green fuels, supporting New York’s efforts to move to a carbon-neutral economy.
SunDensity
SunDensity signed a research agreement with the University of Rochester Institute of Optics to further develop its sustainable energy product. SunDensity produces Photonic Smart Coating for utility solar power producers that need to reduce the cost of energy, with its nano-optical coating improving solar output by 20% more than other coatings for solar panels. This collaboration will not only provide learning experiences within the optical school but also speed up the manufacturing process and design of SunDensity’s nano-optical coating equipment while working towards its climate change goals.
At Launch Team, we are working throughout the energy and manufacturing industries to help them create real and lasting change by prioritizing sustainable goals. We approach business challenges with technical depth and the ability to learn and translate complex technologies into understandable concepts. New York State, and especially the Rochester community, are excited about these clean energy initiatives.
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