Vision and Framework for Strategy and Planning
Published August 2005

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Key Initiatives

• The Hydrogen Fuel Initiative focuses on hydrogen production from renewable, nuclear, and fossil sources; storage, safety, and infrastructure for hydrogen; fuel cells; and the underlying basic research. It is closely aligned with the FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership, listed below.

• Carbon Sequestration involves R&D into the capture, transport, storage, and sequestration of CO₂ from fossil fuels, which for decades will likely continue to be the world’s most widely used form of energy. It is closely aligned with the FutureGen partnership, listed below.

• FutureGEN is a public-private partnership to build world’s first emissions-free coal-fired power plant, aimed at demonstrating the viability of a high-efficiency, coal-based electricity generation plant that has the ability to co-produce low-cost hydrogen.

• The Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Initiative is focused on developing the next-generation fission energy systems, which can offer advances in sustainability, proliferation resistance, physical protection, safety, waste reduction, and cost-effectiveness.

• ITER is an international project to develop fusion as a commercially viable power source. The U.S. rejoined ITER in 2003.

Several other important CCTP-related research areas are listed below. Although not identified as key initiatives, these areas, which also serve multiple policy goals, constitute some of the more significant elements of the CCTP core portfolio.

• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy research in technologies, such as wind, biomass, and solar, can make a substantial contribution to achieving CCTP goals.

• Clean Coal and Other Power Systems include FutureGen (see below) and advanced central systems, such as Integrated Gasification and Combined Cycle (IGCC) and the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance (SECA) for fuel cells.

• The FreedomCAR and Fuel Partnership is a collaboration among the DOE, the U.S. Council for Automotive Research (USCAR), and five energy companies. Working in concert with ongoing hydrogen research, this partnership focuses on the development of fuel cell-powered and other highly efficient transportation vehicles of the future.

• The 21st Century Truck Partnership is a partnership among U.S. truck manufacturers, supporting industries, and the Federal Government. It is aimed at safely and cost-effectively moving larger volumes of freight and greater numbers of passengers, while dramatically increasing vehicle efficiency and emitting little or no air pollution.

• Nuclear Power 2010 is a public-private partnership to accelerate the market penetration of new, non-emitting nuclear power plants.

In addition, in order to enhance U.S. activities through both domestic and international outreach, there have been a number of international and regional partnerships established to ensure collaboration on key initiatives and technology research.

• The International Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy addresses the technological, financial, and institutional barriers to hydrogen technologies and now involves sixteen countries and the European Commission.

• The international Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, established in February 2003, coordinates data gathering, R&D and joint projects to advance the development and deployment of carbon sequestration technologies worldwide.

• The domestic Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships include seven regional partnerships, with state agencies, universities, and private companies forming the core of a nationwide network designed to determine the best approaches for capturing and permanently storing CO₂.

• The international Methane-to-Markets Partnership, established jointly in July 2004 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of State, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Energy. It currently has 14 international partners. The Partnership will deliver significant energy, safety, and environmental benefits through the recovery and use of methane, while reducing global GHG emissions. Partners will focus on deploying cost-effective technologies in the near term at landfills, coalmines, and natural gas and oil systems.

• The Integrated Earth Observation System (IEOS) is the U.S. contribution to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems, involving nearly 60 countries. IEOS will enable and facilitate sharing, integration and application of global, regional and local data from satellites, ocean buoys, weather stations and other surface and airborne Earth observing instruments. While IEOS serves multiple purposes, one outcome will be the strengthening of U.S. capabilities to measure and monitor GHG emissions and fluxes.

The forthcoming CCTP Strategic Plan will provide a comprehensive basis for review of the portfolio and for identifying additional gaps, opportunities, and high-priority adjustments.