Manufacturing Climate Solutions
Manufacturing Climate Solutions presents new research on technologies that can protect the climate by reducing CO2 emissions. In this ongoing series, we ask, “What are the U.S. job opportunities in clean tech?” Technologies analyzed so far include:
Smart Grid
Turning the electric power system into an “energy internet” can reduce CO2 emissions, stimulate technology innovation, expand the use of renewable energy, and create tens of thousands of U.S. jobs.
U.S. Smart Grid 
April 19, 2011
Research Triangle Region, NC Smart Grid May 24, 2011
Lithium-ion Batteries
U.S. firms are racing against more established Asian firms to build a supply chain for the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles. What’s at stake is not just the batteries, but the U.S. position in the future auto industry.
Lithium-ion Batteries for Electric Vehicles: The U.S. Value Chain October 5, 2010
Rail Vehicles
The U.S. supply chain for passenger rail vehicles includes a surprising 249 manufacturing sites spread across 35 states. Still, U.S. firms need to capture higher-value activities like design, engineering and systems integration.
U.S. Manufacture of Rail Vehicles June 24, 2010
Public Transit Buses
Buses represent 25,000 to 33,000 domestic jobs, many overlapping with the heavy truck industry. U.S. firms are leading the development of hybrid, all-electric and other “green” buses--the future of the industry.
Public Transit Buses 
October 26, 2009
Wind Power
U.S. employment in wind power is estimated at 85,000 jobs and growing quickly, with opportunities to employ workers and capacity from other industries like automotive and aerospace.
Wind Power September 22, 2009
Residential Re-Insulation
With 46 million underinsulated homes in the United States, an expanding re-insulation market could save energy and create U.S. jobs for contractors, insulation installers, distributors, manufacturers, and material suppliers.
Residential Re-Insulation August 6, 2009 - Revised: August 2, 2010
Hybrid Drivetrains for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Trucks
The United States is well positioned to take the lead in hybrid commercial trucks, a new, fast- growing market that promises future U.S. jobs in truck manufacturing, advanced energy storage, electronics, and software.
Hybrid Drivetrains for Trucks June 10, 2009
Carbon Capture and Storage
Carbon dioxide capture and storage will allow the United States to continue using fossil fuel for power generation while also achieving national goals to reduce CO2 emissions. In addition, these billion dollar projects present huge U.S.-based employment opportunities in fields ranging from research and development to manufacturing and construction.
Carbon Capture and Storage May 4, 2009
Recycling Industrial Waste Energy
Many industrial processes discard exhaust heat, combustible gases, and other “waste” energy. These highly recoverable resources can be harnessed to generate electricity, thus saving energy costs, reducing CO2 emissions, creating new jobs, and protecting existing jobs by increasing productivity and competitiveness.
Recycling Industrial Waste Energy February 27, 2009
Heat Pump Water Heaters
New ENERGY STAR criteria for residential water heaters and new models expected in 2009 could increase demand for these energy-saving products, opening greater opportunities for U.S. component manufacturing in the value chain.
Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters February 27, 2009
LED lighting
Leading U.S. manufacturers find it crucial to ensure high quality and to protect their innovations--two good reasons to keep the manufacturing close to home.
LED Lighting November 2008
High-performance windows
The U.S. industry faces new, more stringent efficiency criteria that may spur manufacturers to retool production lines and further innovate.
High-Performance Windows November 2008
Auxiliary power units for trucks
Integration of auxiliary power units into long-haul truck manufacturing in the near future will likely increase penetration rates dramatically, with a corresponding boost to manufacturing.
Auxiliary Power Units November 2008
Concentrating solar power
The new market for concentrating solar power plants has potential to create numerous U.S. manufacturing and construction jobs as U.S. companies grow and foreign firms come to the United States.
Concentrating Solar Power November 2008
Super Soil Systems
This new technology for treating hog wastes could allow the United States to become a global market leader in a sector where, until now, no adequate alternative has been available.
Super Soil Systems November 2008
We use a value chain lens to present the technology, break it down into its main materials and components, identify companies and their locations, and give examples of the associated jobs. We believe this series is a useful starting point to explore opportunities for U.S. job growth and technology leadership in the new, carbon-constrained global economy.
The Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness prepared the 2008 report for five sponsors: Environmental Defense Fund, the Building and Construction Trades Department (AFL-CIO), Industrial Union Council (AFL-CIO), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters.
*The views expressed here are those of the
authors and do not necessarily reflect the
views of any of our sponsors or collaborators.
