US Launches $8 Billion Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub Programme

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced through a Notice of Intent (NOI) that it will fund the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $8 billion program to develop regional clean hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) across America. According to the official statement of the department, H2Hubs will create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.

DOE claims that the production, processing, delivery, storage, and end-use of clean hydrogen, including innovative uses in the industrial sector, is crucial for achieving President Joe Biden’s goal of a 100% clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. DOE says that the investments in hydrogen technology from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are vital to decarbonize the industrial sector, which accounts for a third of domestic carbon emissions.

Jennifer M. 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.”

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The US agency says that hydrogen energy could decarbonize multiple economic sectors, including heavy-duty transportation and steel manufacturing, create good paying jobs, and pave the way towards a grid powered by clean energy resources.

At present, the US produces about 10 million metric tons of hydrogen annually, compared to approximately 90 million tonnes produced per year globally. DOE says that while most of the hydrogen produced in the U.S. comes from natural gas, electrolysis technology is an emerging pathway with dozens of installations across the country.

DOE also maintains that the selection of the regional H2Hubs will utilize cross-office collaboration and consider factors such as environmental justice, community engagement, consent-based siting, equity, and workforce development.

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There is also a high-level draft plan for DOE’s current vision to meet the BIL requirements for the H2Hubs, which will be supported by DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstration and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office.

In 2021, DOE also launched the Hydrogen Shot to cut the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per 1 kilogram of clean hydrogen in 1 decade. Last year, it was reported that DOE projected that 13.5 GW of electrolysis projects will come online for green hydrogen production by 2030.