The US Department of Energy (DOE) has released a notice of intent (NOI) to fund the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s (BIL’s) $8bn scheme to develop at least four domestic low-carbon hydrogen hubs.

The scheme—known as H2Hubs—aims to create a network of hydrogen producers, consumers and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.

“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,” says US energy secretary Jennifer Granholm.

“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 BIL set aside $8bn for regional clean hydrogen hubs and $1.5bn for clean hydrogen manufacturing and recycling research, development and demonstration.

“Hydrogen energy has the power to slash emissions from multiple carbon-intensive sectors” Granholm, DOE

The financing forms a key part of Biden’s plan to decarbonise the industrial sector—which accounts for one-third of domestic carbon emissions.  

The DOE will select proposals that prioritise employment opportunities, are geographically diverse and have a solid demand proposal.

The NOI provides a high-level draft plan for meeting the BIL’s requirements for the H2Hubs scheme, which will be supported by DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstration and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office.    

At least four consortiums have already submitted hub plans, two of which are in the Midwest while one is in south Texas and the other is in the northeastern US. 

The DOE also launched the Hydrogen Shot initiative in 2021, with the aim of cutting the cost of clean hydrogen to $1/kg by 2030. Green hydrogen in the US currently costs c.$5/kg.

The DOE also has demonstration projects underway through its H2@Scale programme, including at a steelmaking facility in Missouri and a datacentre fitted with a fuel-cell battery in Washington, DC.

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Author: Tom Young