Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

Manufacturing Innovation is Needed to Support Clean Power

As new clean energy technologies are developed and refined, experts say problems in production are one of the biggest barriers to widespread adoption. With advances in additive manufacturing and a commitment to innovation, manufacturers may hold the key to the advancement of clean power technologies for everyone.

clean powerMark Johnson, the Department of Energy’s resident innovation expert, told GreenBiz that while new energy-centric technologies are being invented, there remain challenges producing them in a cost-effective manner. “We can do a lot to invent new technologies relevant to energy…But where you get those real breakthrough adoption moments is when the technology drives to the point where it reaches cost parity because of manufacturing innovation,” said Johnson.

3D printing, additive manufacturing, and the IoT has the potential to help improve clean energy technology manufacturing by reducing waste and improving efficiency. Mike McKittrick, leader of the Critical Materials Institute at the Department of Energy, told Energy.gov that additive manufacturing can potentially solve the nation’s rare earth material challenge, which is critical to driving clean energy technologies. Because additive manufacturing precisely deposits materials only where they are needed, it enables new shapes and designs that were previously impossible, minimizes waste and lowers manufacturing costs.

“Where you get those real breakthrough adoption moments is when the technology drives to the point where it reaches cost parity because of manufacturing innovation.”

The Department of Energy’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative aims to increase U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing clean energy technologies. The DOE also launched the Energy Materials Network (EMN) in 2015 to help accelerate innovation around the material challenges in the clean-energy industry. The department noted in a public statement that there is a lack of available high-performance materials. These materials are the “key enablers” for countless transformational clean energy technology advancements. While their discoveries are made in labs, most never reach widespread market development, or spend too long in costly cycles. The EMN said it can take up to 20 years for some of these materials to move from the lab to market.

“As a result, the development timeframe for advanced materials isn’t keeping pace with America’s goals to combat climate change and build a clean-energy economy,” said the release.

An article at McKinsey & Company said it’s important not to paint clean energy technologies with a broad brush. Of the 16 sectors looked at by the authors, every single one has made progress over the past decade but “some are moving much faster than others.” The article notes that “profit margins have certainly been squeezed in some areas.” And in other cases, companies with decreasing subsidies and limited capital have scaled back investments in clean tech. While some new technologies are being potentially being held back due to production issues, some technologies are advancing and costs are decreasing.

“Costs for onshore wind, solar PV, and lithium-ion batteries have all fallen faster than many industry watchers anticipated, for example, and art continuing to drop,” said the article.

The McKinsey & Company article said for successful cleantech businesses to survive, the critical elements that must come together include costs, access to capital, go-to-market approach, and regulation. Yet the most important contributors may be from innovative manufacturers that improve their processes to increase efficiencies and reduce costs. “The principles that apply to any manufacturing business, such as reducing procurement costs and improving productivity through lean manufacturing, are increasingly important for clean technologies as well,” said the article.


MORE LIKE THIS

  • Get the CEO Briefing

    Sign up today to get weekly access to the latest issues affecting CEOs in every industry
  • upcoming events

    Roundtable

    Strategic Planning Workshop

    1:00 - 5:00 pm

    Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

    Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

    1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
    2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
    3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

     

    Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

    To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

    New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

    Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

    2:00 - 5:00 pm

    Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

    Limited space available.

    To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

    Golf Outing

    10:30 - 5:00 pm
    General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
    Sponsored by UBS

    General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

    The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

    To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.