Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub selected for award negotiation

The hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) will kickstart a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers, and connective infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen. Funded by President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the H2Hubs will accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen – helping to generate clean, dispatchable power, create a new form of energy storage, and decarbonise heavy industry and transportation. Together, they will also reduce 25 million tpy of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from end-uses – an amount roughly equivalent to combined annual emissions of 5.5 million gasoline-powered cars.

“Unlocking the full potential of hydrogen – a versatile fuel that can be made from almost any energy resource in virtually every part of the country – is crucial to achieving President Biden’s goal of American industry powered by American clean energy, ensuring less volatility and more affordable clean energy options for American families and businesses,” said US Secretary of Energy, Jennifer M. Granholm. “With this historic investment, the Biden-Harris Administration is laying the foundation for a new, American-led industry that will propel the global clean energy transition while creating high quality jobs and delivering healthier communities in every pocket of the nation.”

Battelle, an independent applied science and technology company, will lead ARCH2 as the overall programme manager and prime recipient of ARCH2 funding from DOE/OCED. Battelle will be supported by a programme management office team, including GTI Energy, Allegheny Science & Technology (AST), and TRC Companies. ARCH2 is composed of entities with operations across the Appalachian region spanning the hydrogen value chain, as well as energy technology organisations, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), consultants, academic institutions, community organisations, and non-government organisations that will provide commercial, technical, and programmatic leadership for the development and buildout of the hub.

Concentrated in Appalachian counties across West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania, ARCH2 will leverage diverse regional resources to build a safe, sustainable clean hydrogen hub that can scale and integrate into a national clean hydrogen network. The region is the ideal location for a clean hydrogen hub, due to its unique access to ample low-cost natural gas feedstock, vast industrial end-user demand, workforce and technology capability, and carbon sequestration potential.

“I am honoured to announce that today the US DOE has selected the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub for up to US$925 million in federal support under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” said Senator Joe Manchin (D – WV). “This means West Virginia and the Appalachian region will be the new epicentre of hydrogen in the US."

“We’re thrilled the DOE chose the ARCH2 team to advance this vital path toward a clean energy future,” said Lou Von Thaer, Battelle President and CEO. “We intend to lead this public-private partnership with vigour and excellence meeting government and industry objectives, addressing technical, commercial, and social justice goals, including proving hydrogen’s economic viability, in a highly transparent manner.”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/16102023/appalachian-regional-clean-hydrogen-hub-selected-for-award-negotiation/