The US Department of Energy (DOE) on Tuesday (Feb 15) unveiled the major clean hydrogen initiatives as a vital move to decarbonise the industrial sector, which accounts for a third of domestic carbon emissions in the US, and ramp up the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier.
Clean hydrogen production is a focal point of the announcement, as the DOE looks to focus on technologies that could allow for the production of hydrogen using clean electricity from renewable energy. Over time, these greener routes could replace grey hydrogen, which represents the majority of the US’ hydrogen production.
On the initiatives, Jennifer Granholm, US Secretary of Energy, said, “Clean hydrogen is key to cleaning up American manufacturing and slashing emissions from carbon-intensive materials like steel and cement, while creating good-paying jobs for American workers.
“We’re seeking feedback from the American public on how to make scaling this clean, affordable energy source a reality for the US.”
The DOE’s request for information will gather input from a range of stakeholders, including regional leaders, local groups, environmental justice community members, researchers, technology developers, businesses and many more to help develop the clean hydrogen programmes.
Today’s move is yet another example of Biden’s belief in hydrogen as a future fuel. Just late last year in November (2021), the President unveiled $8bn for large-scale regional clean hydrogen hubs, $1bn for clean hydrogen electrolysis research and development and $500m in funds for clean hydrogen manufacturing and recycling under a $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Prior to that, in his first 100 days in office, Biden has said he will convene a climate world summit to directly engage the leaders of major greenhouse gas-emitting nations to persuade them to join the US in making more ambitious national pledges, above and beyond the commitments they have already made.
Later, in February (2021), in February, the Biden-Harris Administration said it was targeting low-cost hydrogen production as part of a newly launched Climate Innovation Work Group, and later in July we say President Biden and a bipartisan group sign an agreement that will see $550bn invested into the American infrastructure with hydrogen included.
US President Joe Biden on Wednesday (31st March) unveiled the American Jobs Plan, through which the US Government will invest $15bn in demonstration projects for climate research and development (R&D), including hydrogen and utility-scale energy storage.
A move that will create millions of skilled jobs and rebuild the US’ infrastructure, the President’s plan will unify and mobilise the country to meet the great challenges of our time: the climate crisis.
President Biden believes that the market-based shift toward clean energy presents enormous opportunities for the development of new markets and new industries and plans to push forward with the country’s clean energy future.
Continue reading here.