Duke Study Identifies a New Economy of Emerging Low Carbon Technologies

New economy, jobs, and climate change solutions—just what everyone hopes for, may be giving us something more to grasp onto in this era of uncertainty. 

The work of academia at Duke University and non-profit leader, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) as well as union and trade association sponsorship are showcasing climate change solutions that may be what feeds the government’s economic plan to create 5 million jobs in environmental industries.  

Jackie Roberts, Director of Sustainable Technologies, EDF, and joint partner in the large-scale study, indicated Duke and EDF completed analysis on 15 solutions, five of which are included in the original report that are going to help solve our vast environmental problems: LEDs, High Performance Windows, Auxiliary Power Units for Trucks, Concentrating Solar Power, and Super Soil Systems.  Ms. Roberts has said, “When you look at a climate solution, there may be a lot of jobs installing wind and solar, but most of the jobs are in the making of components that go into these different technologies.”

The Center on Globalization, Governance, and Competitiveness (CGGC) at Duke University has published these analyses in a series of reports, titled Manufacturing Climate Solutions. The subsequent sections, following the initial publication of the five low carbon technologies, will focus on transportation and the SmartGrid. The extensive study delves into the vast, value chain framework of industries positioned to provide industrial upgrading in global supply chains of carbon-reducing technologies and rebuilding the U.S. foothold in manufacturing once again.

Professors and researchers took on this enormous task when they asked the key question, “What are the U.S. job opportunities in technologies that can reduce carbon emissions?” The study authors are represented from Duke academia and research staff in cooperative enterprise with the EDF, the Building and Construction Trade Department (AFL-CIO), Industrial Union Council (AFL-CIO), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. 

The study outcomes are many, including significant numbers of jobs, a rebuilding of U.S. manufacturing industries through the web of related supply chains, as well as a wider net of solutions to climate change, particularly the following five emerging low carbon technologies.

Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). According to the study, LED lighting currently represents only a small portion, 0.1% of the total lighting market, estimated at $40-$100 billion, of which one third consists of light bulbs, but is expected to reach $1.6 billion by 2012. End uses include mobile appliances, signs and displays, and automotive applications. Top U.S. manufacturer: Cree, Inc.

High-Performance Windows. The U.S. Green Building Council LEED certification has developed prerequisite criteria mainly Energy Star for high performance windows, and is expected to impact component manufacturers with its proposed new updates. The largest market for high performance windows is home remodeling, according to the Duke study. Top U.S. manufacturers:  Andersen, Jeld-Wen, Masonite International, and Pella.

Auxiliary Power Units for Trucks. The market for auxiliary power units (APUs), which are used to power long haul trucking vehicles with auxiliary power such as air conditioning is expected to grow exponentially if carbon emissions goals set by the EPA’s SmartWay Transportation Partnership guidelines are to have an impact. High upfront costs have limited product development, however, U.S. SBA is planning loan packages for trucking companies that implement recommended SmartWay strategies. Top U.S. manufacturers: Thermo King Co., RigMaster Power, Inc., and Black Rock Systems.

Concentrating Solar Power. As solar power technology assumes an increasing role in renewable energy and integration in the electricity supply grid, more jobs in manufacturing, construction, operations and maintenance will be born.  According to the study, eight of the 13 largest concentrating solar power (CSP) supply plants will be located in California and Arizona and the U.S. Sun Belt has an even larger potential for growth due to the natural supply of sunshine.  Top U.S. manufacturers (subsidiaries of international companies): Abengoa Solar USA,  ACCONIA Solar Power, Inc., and Solel, Inc.

Super Soil Systems. Critical environmental problems from livestock farm waste, particularly hog farms, include air pollutant health risks, water contamination,  and methane gas, which represent the largest percentage of greenhouse gas emissions (GhG) measured in C02 equivalent. Investigating the conversion of farm waste shows a promising new technology has developed and what are called Super Soil Systems that essentially treat waste streams through on-farm waste treatment and off-farm composting facilities. U.S. is one of the leading producers of materials.

The backbone of innovation, namely the study's research, as well as market forecasts,  provides opportunities for supply chain solutions that may attract startups and proliferation of the green job market. What’s more, the study also portrays the U.S. manufacturing companies that are taking leadership roles in low-carbon technology solutions, namely Cree, Inc., as shown in its product development success in LED lighting.  

The report is a bounty of information for green entrepreneurs, job seekers, and environmental advocates (see full initial report). This article represents Part 1 of 3 in a series of articles on this research and the published work.