It is hoped the H2Hubs will create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of clean hydrogen as a clean energy source.
The announcement comes as the Biden Administration pushes to decarbonise the industrial sector, which accounts for a third of carbon emissions in the US.
H2 View understands the DOE will select hub proposals based on prioritisation of employment opportunities and those that address hydrogen feedstocks, end uses and provide geographic diversity.
The planned hubs come as part of the DOE’s strategy for achieving a 100% clean electric grid by 2035 and reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, as well as the ‘Hydrogen Shot’ which aims to cut the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogramme within a decade.
Jennifer Granholm, US Secretary of Energy, said, “Hydrogen energy has the power to slash emissions from multiple carbon-intensive sectors and open a world of economic opportunity to clean energy businesses and workers across the country.
“These hydrogen hubs will make significant progress towards President Biden’s vision for a resilient grid that is powered by clean energy and built by American workers.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was announced in November 2021 and promises $8bn to regional hydrogen hubs, $1bn for clean hydrogen electrolysis and development, and $500m for clean hydrogen manufacturing and recycling.
Since then, numerous US states have announced intent of becoming regional hydrogen hubs. Most recently, Pennsylvania State Governor, Tom Wolf, revealed plans to decarbonise the state with hydrogen.
Read more: Pennsylvania pushes to become a clean hydrogen hub
Following President Biden’s funding announcement, coalition of hydrogen focuses companies, Hydrogen Forward, praised the support of the industry.
In a press release, Hydrogen Forward, said, “Hydrogen Forward applauds the Biden Administration’s invocation of the DPA to accelerate the development of domestic clean energy supply chains, including electrolysers, fuel cells and platinum group metals.
“Advancing the domestic hydrogen value chain and working with key global allies will create jobs, achieve decarbonisation goals and enhance US energy independence and security in the decades to come.
“This latest action continues to demonstrate the Administration’s long-term commitments to stable economic growth while transitioning to clean energy solutions, including hydrogen.”
North American Hydrogen Summit
H2 View is taking its events platform to America’s original clean hydrogen hub of California. Together with the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP), we will stage our North American Hydrogen Summit in San Francisco on July 14-15.
As our summit theme Building Bridges: Hydrogen hubs and investment suggests, the event will explore the $8bn of funding announced to create at least four regional hydrogen hubs in the US. These hubs will turbo-charge the nation’s progress toward heavy trucking and industrial sectors that run without producing carbon pollution – and they may just provide the path forward to a hydrogen-fuelled future.
With California and Texas vying to be America’s hydrogen capital today, where are the hubs of tomorrow? Further still, what can other states, and countries, learn from California’s success story? And how can we build bridges to a successful flow of international investment?
If you are a member of the CaFCP, be sure to grab your ticket at a discounted rate with a code that can be provided to you by the events team.
Full information about this event including attendance and sponsorship packages can be found here.