The project will focus on all forms of clean hydrogen, including low-cost coal via gasification, massive natural gas resources via methane reforming, and relatively high-capacity wind energy via electrolysis, as well as potential for solar, nuclear and more.

Read more: US DOE provides grant to explore hydrogen opportunities in Wyoming
Read more: Wyoming explores the hydrogen opportunity

This could be a significant development for the state and bolster its hydrogen expertise attracting further investment and economic growth.

The $500,000 in funding will be received over a period of five years and will support stakeholders in Wyoming to increase adoption of the clean energy carrier and bolster its decarbonisation methods.

Holly Krutka, Executive Director of the University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources, said, “This generous gift is paramount to helping us launch our efforts on growing a robust applied research program focused on building a new industry in Wyoming.

“This gift also demonstrates Williams’ dedication to its employees and assets in Wyoming. This contribution, along with that already received from Anschutz, federal research grants and support from the state of Wyoming, will allow SER to officially stand up H2ERC by hiring its first dedicated research staff.”

Chad Zamarin, Senior Vice-President of Corporate Strategic Development at Williams, said, “Williams is proud to play a leading role in this important step toward the research and development of a clean hydrogen economy in Wyoming and beyond.

“As a longtime owner and operator of energy infrastructure in Wyoming, Williams is well positioned to leverage our existing assets for the blending, storage and transportation of green hydrogen to local and regional markets, including the Pacific Northwest via our Northwest Pipeline.”