When America Leads: User Guide to Competitiveness Research and Analysis

Strategic investments in clean energy technologies can lead to significant, lasting benefits for the US economy by 2050. A landmark set of two reports by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), commissioned by Third Way and Breakthrough Energy, shows how the US can create a unique advantage across ten clean energy technologies and capture a significant cut of an estimated $130 trillion market. Breaking down the value chain for each technology, from the raw materials to the manufacturing process to product off-take to after-market services, the reports show how we can apply smart policies to sharpen our competitive edge in an evolving global market and create millions of long-lasting jobs. The result will boost the American economy and help spread clean, affordable, and reliable energy on a global scale–and when America leads in clean energy, the world benefits.

To streamline access to our wide range of helpful resources, we have compiled a convenient and centralized collection of material, seamlessly broken down by each clean energy technology type, for policymakers, researchers, and clean energy enthusiasts looking to learn more about US competitiveness and how policy can strengthen America’s advantage.

Potential for US Competitiveness in Emerging Clean Technologies

This comprehensive report analyzes the first six clean technologies, assessing each segment of their respective value chains and identifying opportunities for the US to establish a durable competitive advantage in the global market. This Appendix has additional data and analysis behind the report. And below you’ll find a memo for each technology outlining Third Way's policy recommendations to enhance US competitiveness, a slide deck showing an assessment of how recently passed legislation is impacting the technology's cost and deployment, and a status report outlining key milestones and compelling examples of how the US is strengthening its competitive edge in each technology.

Electric Vehicles

• Status Report: American Competitiveness in Electric Vehicles
• Electric Vehicles: Policies to Help America Lead
• Impact of IRA, IIJA, CHIPS, and Energy Act of 2020 on Electric Vehicles

Clean Steel

• Status Report: America's Competitive Advantage in Clean Steel
• Clean Steel: Policies to Help America Lead
• Impact of IRA, IIJA, CHIPS, and Energy Act of 2020 on Clean Steel

Advanced Nuclear Small Modular Reactors

• Status Report: America's Competitive Advantage in Advanced Nuclear
• Advanced Nuclear Reactors: Policies to Help America Lead
• Impact of IRA, IIJA, CHIPS, and Energy Act of 2020 on Advanced Nuclear Small Modular Reactors

Low-Carbon Hydrogen

• Status Report: US Competitiveness in the Clean Hydrogen Economy
• Clean Hydrogen: Policies to Help America Lead
• Impact of IRA, IIJA, CHIPS, and Energy Act of 2020 on Low-Carbon Hydrogen

Long Duration Energy Storage

• Status Report: America's Competitive Advantage in Long-Duration Energy Storage
• Long Duration Energy Storage: Policies to Help America Lead
• Impact of IRA, IIJA, CHIPS, and Energy Act of 2020 on Long Duration Energy Storage

Direct Air Capture

• Status Report: American Competitiveness in Direct Air Capture
• Direct Air Capture Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Policy Memo: Coming Soon
• Impact of IRA, IIJA, CHIPS, and Energy Act of 2020 on Direct Air Capture

Two Paths to US Competitiveness in Clean Technologies Report

This report examines US competitiveness in four additional clean energy technologies and provides insights on how the US can strategically position itself as a leader across key clean energy value chain segments. See Report Appendix for more detailed data and analysis. And look below for information on how federal policy can boost America’s advantage in each technology.

Geothermal

• Status Report: America's Competitive Advantage in Geothermal Energy
• Geothermal: Policies to Help America Lead
• Impact of IRA, IIJA, CHIPS, and Energy Act of 2020 on Geothermal

Offshore Wind

• Status Report: America's Competitive Advantage in Offshore Wind
• Offshore Wind: Policies to Help America Lead
• Impact of IRA, IIJA, CHIPS, and Energy Act of 2020 on Offshore Wind

Solar

• Status Report: America's Competitive Advantage in Solar Energy
• Solar Power: Policies to Help America Lead
• Impact of IRA, IIJA, CHIPS, and Energy Act of 2020 on Solar

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage

• Status Report: US Leadership in CCUS Technology
• Direct Air Capture Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Policy Memo: Coming Soon
• Impact of IRA, IIJA, CHIPS, and Energy Act of 2020 on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage

For more information on US competitiveness and how to use these documents, please contact Third Way’s Senior Resident Fellow, Ellen Hughes-Cromwick.