Economic study reveals growth of Northeast region’s hydrogen and fuel cell industry

A new study’s findings suggest that the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in the Northeast region experienced growth over the last four years based on several factors such as employment, revenue and investment, labor income, and state and local tax revenue.

The Northeast Electrochemical Energy Storage Cluster (NEESC), administered by the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, (CCAT), recently commissioned an independent IMPLAN economic analysis of the region’s hydrogen and fuel cell industry.

In 2015, the hydrogen and fuel cell supply chain had a significant bearing on the region’s economy, contributing nearly $1.4 billion in revenue and investment, more than 6,550 direct, indirect and induced jobs, and labor income of approximately $620 million. The study also reported that 2015 state and local tax revenues stemming from the Northeast region’s hydrogen and fuel cell industry were in excess of $83 million.

Several key companies in the Northeast region experienced growth in either employment or investment and revenue, including FuelCell Energy, Proton Onsite, Giner Inc., and Plug Power.

Underscoring the strength of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in the region is Doosan Fuel Cell America, the newest addition to Doosan’s global industrial and energy-related businesses. The Connecticut-based company has increased its employee base from 30 to more than 300 since its founding in 2014.

“We were very pleased to see growth in the industry here in the Northeast given the competitive nature of the industry and the significant recruitment efforts from other countries,” stated Joel Rinebold, director, energy initiative, CCAT. “The policies and programs in place to support these companies from the individual states and several federal agencies, such as the Small Business Administration and the Department of Energy has really paid off.”

The report highlighted the contribution of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in three key states in the Northeast, including Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut. Currently, more than 600 Connecticut companies that are part of the Northeast supply chain. According to the study, Connecticut’s hydrogen and fuel cell sector will produce $726 million in revenue and investment, generate 3,400 direct, indirect and induced jobs and more than $340 million in labor income, and contribute more than $39 million in state and local tax revenues in 2015.