The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) filed a notice of intent to fund the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $8 billion program to develop regional clean hydrogen hubs – H2Hubs – across America, according to a DOE press release on June 6.
H2Hubs will create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. The production, processing, delivery, storage and end-use of clean hydrogen, including innovative uses in the industrial sector, is crucial to DOE’s strategy for achieving President Biden’s goal of a 100% clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“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,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm commented in the press release.
The regional H2Hubs will benefit from cross-office collaboration and consider factors such as environmental justice, community engagement, consent-based siting, equity and workforce development.
The DOE will select proposals that prioritize employment opportunities and address hydrogen feedstocks, end uses and geographic diversity. The notice provides a high-level draft plan for the current vision to meet the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's requirements for the H2Hubs, which will be supported by DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office.
In accordance with President Biden's decarbonization plans, the Bipartisan Infrastructure hydrogen technology investments will tackle industrial sector emissions, which account for one-third of domestic carbon emissions.
The U.S. currently produces about 10 metric tons of hydrogen annually, making up a small percentage of the 90 million tonnes of hydrogen produced annually worldwide. With the help of the H2Hubs, the U.S. will be able to produce hydrogen using clean electricity and nuclear power.