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NYSERDA awards US$1.2 million for hydrogen research

Published by , Assistant Editor
Global Hydrogen Review,


The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced more than US$1.2 million has been awarded to four innovative clean hydrogen research and development (R&D) projects through the Advanced Fuels and Thermal Energy Research Programme.

The awarded projects will demonstrate new designs for clean hydrogen electrolysers, devices that split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, that have the potential to lower costs, mitigate supply chain risks, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels in hard-to-electrify sectors, such as industrial operations or transportation.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris, said: “NYSERDA is proud to support these federally supported clean hydrogen projects that show promise in advancing technology that can ensure reliability in bringing clean energy to the grid. At the same time, clean hydrogen has the potential to be a game-changer for reducing emissions and pollution from energy intensive industrial processes and transportation.”

The projects were selected by NYSERDA through its Advanced Fuels and Thermal Energy Research Programme, which over the years has supported clean fuel innovation projects to decarbonise industrial process heat, integrate clean fuel production with renewable energy, and demonstrate clean fuel power generation systems to support the grid. The awarded contracts announced today allow New York State companies to leverage a total of US$18.3 million in federal funding announced by the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) in March 2024 for selected projects to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen systems. NYSERDA is providing funding to the four projects to meet the cost share requirements of the federal DoE awards.

The awarded projects include:

  • Bettergy Corp., Peekskill, NY awarded US$167 000 to produce a more durable membrane that can be used to improve the performance and durability of anion exchange electrolyser systems and to optimise the membrane's preparation processes to enable scale up.
  • Ecolectro, Inc., Ithaca, NY awarded US$720 000 to develop membranes for electrolysers using polymers that have rigid backbones, high thermal properties, and mechanical strength to improve the performance and durability of anion exchange membrane electrolyser systems.
  • Orion Polymer Corp., Cohoes, NY awarded US$200 000 to explore the development of highly conductive, chemically stable, and mechanically durable solid membranes to improve the performance and durability of anion exchange membrane electrolyser systems.
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY awarded US$187 000 to develop novel low-fluorine polymer membranes which can help lower the costs and reduce the safety risks associated with hydrogen crossover in polymer exchange membrane electrolyser systems.

Bettergy Corporation Chairman Lin-Feng Li, added: “Bettergy Corp. is proud to have selected by NYSERDA to scale up its patented high-performance anion exchange membrane technology for the development of commercials scale advanced electrolyser units. The innovative technology offers exceptional performance and stability in harsh operating environments, making it critical for advancing cost-effective and efficient gigawatt electrolyser unit manufacturing that will help to reduce energy costs, mitigate supply chain risks, and promote sustainable solutions in the energy and manufacturing sectors.”

Ecolectro, Inc. CEO and Founder Gabriel Rodriguez-Calero, commented: "Our team at Ecolectro is thankful to NYSERDA for the continued support that will advance our PFAs-free and Iridium-free electrolysers. The funding will be used to accelerate developments of new chemistries and scale-up of Ecolectro's best-in-class AEMs that will enable production of the lowest cost green hydrogen."

Orion Polymer Corp. Chief Operating Officer Cathryn Olsen, added: “Orion Polymer’s NYSERDA award to investigate new designs in water electrolysers, which will produce hydrogen as a clean fuel, empowers this local, successful clean energy company to put its resources into research that will benefit the citizens of New York State. Our goal is to further develop sources of energy that do not pollute, will benefit all, and will bring down the cost of energy across our state and nation. We sincerely appreciate the vision and support of NYSERDA in supporting a better future of cleaner air and water.”

Senator Kevin Parker, said: “New York is putting our money where our mouth is and continuing to make investments to meet the climate challenge and advancing research and development support implementation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. I want to congratulate NYSERDA and the awardees as we take steps that will bolster research and innovation into clean hydrogen, aiding our transition to a clean energy and greener environment.”

Assembly member Didi Barrett, stated: “Our clean energy transition will require us to use all of the tools in our toolbox to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. These clean hydrogen projects are an exciting opportunity that will help us diversify our clean energy portfolio.”

Senator Pete Harckham, explained: “Successfully transitioning to clean energy means embracing a variety of sources, from solar and wind to geothermal. Hydrogen power is an intriguing alternative, and investing in making it safe and efficient is key to that journey. Thank you to the Governor and NYSERDA for exploring clean energy solutions.”

Assembly member John T. McDonald III, RPh, said: “By supporting the development of advanced clean hydrogen technologies, we are not only investing in cutting-edge science, but also in a sustainable future for New York State. These efforts will help lower costs, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and create good-paying jobs, all while taking steps toward achieving our climate goals. RPI has long been a leader in innovation, and this funding is a testament to the great work happening right here in Troy. I am proud to see our local institutions at the forefront of this energy transformation.”

Assembly member Dana Levenberg, said: “Congratulations to all of the recipients of these Clean Energy Fund grants and especially to Bettergy, based in my district. It is so exciting to see such cutting-edge research and development happening right in our own backyard. I am proud that New York is continuing its investments in clean energy, and grateful to see these funds coming to Assembly District 95. Climate action is an urgent necessity, and we must continue to use our ingenuity to create solutions to our most pressing problems.”

Assembly member Anna Kelles, stated: “The funding for state of the art electrolysers represents a clear pathway to decreasing the cost and increasing the efficiency of green hydrogen production. This award is the final step to establish a successful commercialisation of Cornell Research funded by the Department of Energy and is a valuable example of a responsible public private partnership dedicated to environmental solutions to climate change.”

Troy Mayor Carmela Mantello, commented: “As we continue to face the challenges of a clean energy future, investments in innovation are critical. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s commitment of US$1.2 million to advance clean hydrogen research and development, underscores the importance of finding alternative sources of energy as we build our future. We are particularly proud to see RPI, a pillar of research excellence in our region, among the awardees. Their cutting-edge work in clean hydrogen technology holds great promise for reducing emissions, advancing energy efficiency, and driving economic growth.”

The announcement builds on New York State’s ongoing investments in clean hydrogen and scaling it as a resource through a connected network of projects across the state. Clean hydrogen technology has the potential to reduce pollutants state-wide, including disadvantaged communities that are disproportionately impacted by airborne pollutants from industrial processes and high volumes of traffic in congested areas. In October 2024, NYSERDA through its Advanced Fuels Innovation Programme awarded more than US$8 million in eight clean hydrogen projects which include hydrogen production, manufacturing facility and different end uses.

New York State’s investments in research, development, and commercialisation support innovators accelerating the clean energy transition to meet the State’s goal for economy-wide carbon neutrality. NYSERDA’s Innovation and Research (I&R) programme is deploying approximately US$1.2 billion over 15 years as direct research investments and commercialisation support. To date, more than US$700 million in private investments and US$200 million in project finance capital have been enabled, and more than 450 innovative clean energy products have been commercialised as a result of NYSERDA’s technology and business development investments in energy use energy innovation, grid modernisation, clean power generation and storage, and advanced fuels and thermal energy systems.

Today’s awarded contracts are funded through the State's 10 year, US$6 billion Clean Energy Fund.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/28012025/nyserda-awards-us12-million-for-hydrogen-research/

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