Aug 29, 2024
The 2024 USEER highlights the significant growth and employment trends within the hydrogen sector, reflecting its increasing importance in the energy transition.
2024 United States Energy & Employment Report (USEER) Summary
The 2024 USEER provides an in-depth analysis of employment trends across the U.S. energy sector, highlighting the significant growth in jobs related to clean energy technologies, energy efficiency, and traditional energy sources. The report covers various sectors, including electric power generation, fuels, transmission, distribution, storage, energy efficiency, and motor vehicles.
One of the key takeaways is the robust growth in clean energy jobs, driven by increased investments and federal policies like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The clean energy sector, encompassing renewable energy, energy storage, and energy efficiency, saw substantial job increases, reflecting the accelerating transition toward a low-carbon economy. The electric vehicle (EV) sector, in particular, experienced rapid expansion, with significant job gains in battery manufacturing and EV production.
The report also discusses the ongoing challenges in the traditional energy sectors, such as oil, gas, and coal, which have seen varying levels of employment decline or stagnation due to market dynamics and the shift towards cleaner energy sources.
Overall, the 2024 USEER underscores the evolving landscape of the U.S. energy industry, where clean energy technologies are becoming increasingly dominant, leading to new opportunities and challenges in the workforce. The report emphasizes the importance of continued investment, policy support, and workforce development to sustain growth and ensure a just transition for workers across all energy sectors.
Hydrogen-Related Employment and Industry Overview
The 2024 USEER highlights the significant growth and employment trends within the hydrogen sector, reflecting its increasing importance in the energy transition. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and associated technologies are becoming critical components in the clean energy landscape. The report indicates that employment in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) grew by 11.5% in 2023, adding 2,019 jobs, showcasing the sector's rapid expansion. This growth is part of the broader trend in clean vehicle technologies, which saw a total increase of nearly 25,000 jobs across various clean vehicle categories, including hydrogen​.
The report also emphasizes the critical role of hydrogen in the energy transition, with significant investments and policy support aimed at fostering the development of hydrogen infrastructure and applications. These investments are expected to drive further job creation in the hydrogen sector, supporting both the manufacturing and operational aspects of hydrogen energy.
Moreover, the report discusses the broader implications of hydrogen's integration into the energy mix, noting that it is part of a diversified strategy to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security. The sector is poised for continued growth as federal policies and incentives, such as those included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), provide robust support for hydrogen and other clean energy technologies.