Website: [energy.gov/oced](https://www.energy.gov/oced/office-clean-energy-demonstrations) ### Introduction The Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) was established in 2021 as part of the broader push to accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Headquartered in Washington, D.C., within the DOE’s organizational structure, the OCED does not have a specific employee count publicly disclosed, but it operates as a key division managing significant [[Federal|federal]] funding for energy projects. Its mission is to deliver clean energy demonstration projects at scale, bridging the gap between research and commercial deployment to support the U.S. transition to a net-zero emissions economy by 2050. The OCED focuses on de-risking innovative technologies through large-scale pilots and demonstrations, ensuring they are ready for widespread adoption. As a government entity, the OCED is not a public or private company and thus has no ticker symbol or market status. It was created to oversee approximately $27 billion in funding allocated for clean energy initiatives, targeting sectors such as carbon capture, advanced nuclear, hydrogen, and renewable energy integration [GAO.gov](https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-106748). However, recent structural changes under the Trump Administration in 2025 have led to the absorption of the OCED into the newly formed Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), raising questions about its future focus and funding priorities [pv-magazine-usa.com](https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/11/24/department-of-energy-removes-renewable-energy-climate-offices/). ### Key Products and Technology The OCED does not produce specific products or technologies itself but funds and oversees demonstration projects across various clean energy sectors. Below are the key technology areas it supports, based on available information up to 2025: - **Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Demonstrations** - **Type**: Industrial carbon capture systems - **Technical Specifications**: Varies by project; typically targets capturing 90%+ of CO2 emissions from industrial sources or power plants - **Energy Source**: Applied to fossil fuel plants or industrial processes - **Key Differentiators**: Focus on scalability and cost reduction for commercial deployment - **Development Stage**: Multiple projects in pilot and demonstration phases - **Target Customers**: Industrial sectors (cement, steel), power utilities, and government programs - **Advanced Nuclear Reactor Demonstrations** - **Type**: Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and other advanced designs - **Technical Specifications**: Power output varies (e.g., 50-300 MWe per unit); designs emphasize passive safety - **Fuel Type**: Uranium-based, with some projects exploring thorium or high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) - **Key Differentiators**: Modular construction for lower costs, enhanced safety features - **Development Stage**: Several projects under demonstration or pre-construction - **Target Customers**: Utilities, government entities, industrial users - **Hydrogen Production and Infrastructure** - **Type**: Clean hydrogen hubs (e.g., electrolysis-based production) - **Technical Specifications**: Focus on green hydrogen via renewables; output capacity varies by hub - **Energy Source**: Renewable electricity (solar, wind) for electrolysis - **Key Differentiators**: Regional hub model to integrate production, storage, and use - **Development Stage**: Early demonstration; some hubs selected for funding - **Target Customers**: Industrial users, transportation, power generation - **Renewable Energy Integration** - **Type**: Grid-scale storage and renewable deployment projects - **Technical Specifications**: Battery storage systems (e.g., lithium-ion) with multi-hour duration; renewable capacity in MW scale - **Energy Source**: Solar, wind, paired with storage - **Key Differentiators**: Emphasis on grid reliability and resilience - **Development Stage**: Operational pilots and scaling demonstrations - **Target Customers**: Grid operators, utilities Information on specific projects’ technical details is limited due to the OCED’s role as a funding and oversight body rather than a direct developer [energy.gov](https://www.energy.gov/infrastructure/clean-energy-infrastructure-funding-projects-and-programs). ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a DOE office, the OCED itself is not subject to regulatory licensing like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) process for nuclear projects. Instead, it facilitates funding and support for projects that must navigate their own regulatory pathways. For instance, advanced nuclear projects funded by OCED often require NRC design certification or combined operating licenses, but these are managed by the project developers (e.g., companies like [[NuScale Power|NuScale]] or [[[[TerraPower]]]]). The OCED’s role includes ensuring compliance with federal environmental and safety guidelines for funded projects. Key regulatory milestones for OCED-supported initiatives include the selection of projects under the BIL, such as hydrogen hubs and CCS pilots, which must adhere to DOE and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. However, with the 2025 DOE reorganization absorbing OCED into CMEI, there is uncertainty regarding regulatory priorities and timelines for ongoing projects. Recent reports indicate cancellations of clean energy grants, which may delay or alter regulatory progress for some demonstrations [act-news.com](https://www.act-news.com/news/doe-reorganization-removes-key-clean-energy-offices/). Estimated timelines for commercial deployment vary widely by technology, with some hydrogen and storage projects targeting the late 2020s, while advanced nuclear may extend into the 2030s. ### Team and Leadership As of the latest available data, the OCED operates under the broader DOE leadership structure. Specific executives dedicated solely to OCED are not consistently detailed in public sources following the 2025 reorganization. Historically, the DOE Secretary, currently under the Trump Administration, oversees major offices like OCED (or its successor within CMEI). Prior to the restructuring, the OCED was led by a Director, but current leadership details are unclear due to the recent absorption into CMEI [hklaw.com](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/11/doe-releases-updated-agency-structure-and-organization-chart). No verified X handles for specific OCED leaders are available at this time. Updates on leadership may be found through DOE announcements or press releases. ### Funding and Financial Position The OCED was initially allocated approximately $27 billion through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act to support clean energy demonstration projects. This funding was intended to span multiple years, with significant disbursements planned for initiatives like hydrogen hubs, CCS, and advanced nuclear demonstrations. Specific breakdowns of funding rounds or recent allocations are not fully transparent in 2025 data due to the DOE reorganization. Recent developments indicate that under the Trump Administration, significant portions of clean energy funding have been reprogrammed or canceled. For instance, unobligated funds from programs like the Regional Direct Air Capture Hub Program ($1.059 billion) have been redirected to other DOE priorities within the CMEI [hklaw.com](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/12/senate-appropriators-release-fiscal-year-2026-energy-funding-bill). Additionally, posts on X and news reports highlight cancellations of up to $13 billion in clean energy grants, impacting numerous projects across states [fuelcellsworks on X](https://x.com/fuelcellsworks). As a government entity, OCED does not generate revenue or have a market cap; its financial position is tied to federal budgets and policy shifts. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |--------------|------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 22, 2025 | Audit of Canceled Grants | DOE Inspector General launches audit into canceled clean energy grants, including hydrogen projects in California [fuelcellsworks on X](https://x.com/fuelcellsworks). | | Dec 18, 2025 | Watchdog Investigation | Internal DOE watchdog investigates termination of $7.6 billion in clean energy grants across 16 states [talk1370 on X](https://x.com/TALK1370). | | Dec 1, 2025 | FY 2026 Energy Funding Bill | Senate releases bill reprogramming unobligated clean energy funds (e.g., $1.059 billion from DAC hubs) to other DOE priorities [hklaw.com](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/12/senate-appropriators-release-fiscal-year-2026-energy-funding-bill). | | Nov 24, 2025 | DOE Reorganization Announced | OCED absorbed into Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) under Trump Administration’s energy dominance agenda [pv-magazine-usa.com](https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2025/11/24/department-of-energy-removes-renewable-energy-climate-offices/). | | Nov 21, 2025 | Clean Energy Program Uncertainty | Reorganization raises questions about the future of ongoing OCED projects and funding commitments [act-news.com](https://www.act-news.com/news/doe-reorganization-removes-key-clean-energy-offices/). | | Jul 15, 2025 | Project Cancellations Critiqued | Cancellation of two dozen major energy projects may impact U.S. competitiveness in decarbonization [resources.org](https://www.resources.org/common-resources/if-then-terminated-projects-at-the-us-department-of-energy-need-evidence-of-true-cost-savings/). | ### Partnerships and Collaborations The OCED has historically partnered with a range of entities, though specific partnerships are now under review due to 2025 reorganizations: - **Regional Hydrogen Hubs (e.g., ARCHES in California)**: Collaboration with state governments and private companies to establish clean hydrogen production and distribution networks. Strategic value lies in decarbonizing industrial and transportation sectors, though funding cancellations pose risks [fuelcellsworks on X](https://x.com/fuelcellsworks). - **Advanced Nuclear Developers (e.g., [[NuScale Power|NuScale]], TerraPower)**: Funding support for demonstration projects with private nuclear innovators. Strategic value includes advancing next-generation nuclear for baseload power. - **Utilities and Grid Operators**: Partnerships for renewable integration and storage pilots to enhance grid reliability. Strategic value is in supporting national energy security and resilience. Recent cancellations and funding reallocations may impact these collaborations, with uncertainty noted in current reporting [act-news.com](https://www.act-news.com/news/doe-reorganization-removes-key-clean-energy-offices/). ### New Hampshire Relevance The OCED’s focus on clean energy demonstrations has potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]] (NH), particularly in aligning with the state’s energy goals and infrastructure: - **Proximity to Infrastructure**: NH hosts [[Seabrook Station]], a nuclear power plant, and is part of the ISO-NE grid, making it a candidate for advanced nuclear or grid integration projects funded by OCED. SMR demonstrations could complement or replace aging infrastructure. - **Technology Readiness**: While some OCED-supported technologies (e.g., grid storage) are near deployment, others like advanced nuclear are further from NH’s immediate timeline (likely post-2030). - **Legislative Alignment**: NH’s HB 710 and interest in SMRs align with OCED’s nuclear demonstration focus, though funding shifts in 2025 may delay opportunities. - **Applications**: OCED projects could support NH grid power needs, data center energy demands in the Northeast, and industrial heat applications for local manufacturing. - **NH Connections**: No specific NH projects are documented in OCED’s portfolio, but the Northeast’s energy needs and clean energy policies suggest potential interest. The 2025 DOE reorganization introduces uncertainty for NH-specific initiatives, as federal priorities shift toward critical minerals and energy dominance [hklaw.com](https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/11/doe-releases-updated-agency-structure-and-organization-chart). ### Competitive Position As a government funding body, the OCED does not compete directly with private entities but operates alongside other federal programs and international efforts: - **DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE, now under CMEI)**: Focuses on R&D and early-stage technologies, while OCED targets demonstration at scale. Overlap in mission post-reorganization may dilute focus. - **European Union Horizon Europe Program**: EU’s clean energy funding emphasizes similar demonstration projects (e.g., hydrogen hubs). OCED’s advantage is its large budget, though 2025 cancellations pose risks to U.S. leadership. - **Department of Defense Energy Programs**: DOD funds energy resilience projects, sometimes overlapping with OCED’s grid and storage focus. OCED’s civilian focus is a differentiator but faces budget competition. The OCED’s unique role in de-risking technologies is critical, yet policy shifts introduce significant uncertainty compared to stable international programs. ### Closing Note The DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, now absorbed into CMEI, stands at a pivotal moment with its original mission to scale clean energy facing potential redirection under new federal priorities. *Report generated December 24, 2025*