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With global energy consumption projected to rise nearly 40 percent by 2030, future prosperity depends on new ways to meet the world's energy needs. Advanced energy - technologies, products, and services that make energy more secure, clean, and affordable - presents an economic opportunity for American companies and workers.

Ohio is already seizing the opportunity. Its advanced energy companies are building on the state's strong manufacturing base, the state's greatest asset for developing a vibrant advanced energy cluster. In 2010, the most recent year for which data is available, Ohio was the 5th most productive manufacturing state, generating $80 billion of output, and had the 9th highest manufacturing output per capita in the United States. Its businesses are also capitalizing on the state's legacy of innovation as well as supportive state policies.

A few examples of advanced energy growth in Ohio:

• Solar has thrived in Ohio, with installed capacity in the state more than doubling over the last two years to 45 MW as of February 2012.
• The state was 8th in ethanol production in 2010, with over $700 million of ethanol sales annually.
• Two large nuclear plants - located in Perry and Davis-Besse - provide Ohio 2.1 GW of capacity, making the state the 7th largest nuclear generator in country as of March 2012.

Ohio's companies have made significant strides, but there is far more room to grow. Ohio has the capacity to grow existing and planned wind projects 20-fold given its available wind resource, and the state has 288 MW of untapped hydropower potential. Energy efficiency may be the biggest opportunity of all. As the 7th largest energy consumer of the states, Ohio spends over $40 billion a year on energy.

Advanced energy is characterized by the benefits it provides in the field and in the marketplace. Electric and plug-in hybrid cars, lightweight composites for airplane bodies, natural gas fueled trucks, high-performance buildings, more efficient industrial processes, and the latest wind, solar, and nuclear technologies - these are all advanced energy, as they use energy more productively, diversify energy sources, and reduce health and environmental costs.