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About Us |
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The goal of the New Jersey Hydrogen Learning Center is to help strengthen the emerging network of hydrogen and fuel cell related activity in New Jersey and to leverage those resources to inform policymakers about the role hydrogen could play in the state's energy portfolio. Consistent feedback from stakeholders and other participants indicates a desire for more leadership by state policymakers in identifying and mitigating the impacts of the major roadblocks to natural expansion of the hydrogen economy. Chief among these needs are greater public investment, education and outreach, the advancement of local policy to more easily integrate hydrogen energy systems into existing facilities, and further research and development support.
In October 2008, the State of New Jersey released it's Energy Master Plan. This comprehensive plan assessed projected energy demand through the year 2020 and proposes ways of meeting this demand that are environmentally responsible, economically sound, and maintain energy reliability. The overarching goal of the plan, articulated by Governor Corzine, is to reduced energy consumption of traditional energy resources by 20% by 2020. This aggressive goal requires investments in more energy efficient technology, as well as non-traditional alternative fuels. Hydrogen's flexibility to be used to provide both stationary and transportation power may be ripe for helping to meet this goal.
In February 2007, Governor John Corzine issued Executive Order 54 for the Reduction of Greenhouse Gases. This Order calls for greenhouse gases to be stabilized at 1990 levels by 2020 and to reduce to 80 percent current (2006) levels by 2050. These are extremely aggressive goals with as of yet unclear technological or strategic paths to completion. Although the demand reduction goals of the Energy Master Plan will likely allow the State to reach its 2020 goal with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, the 2050 goal is very challenging.
The purpose of the Hydrogen Learning Center is to bring some of the possible technologies into focus that could help New Jersey to meet its aggressive 2050 greenhouse gas reduction goal.
For more information, please contact Jaci Trzaska
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