Announcement puts US Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs on the horizon

The US Department of Energy (DOE) on Monday (June 6), released a Notice of Intent to fund the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $8bn programme to develop regional clean hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) across the country.

It is hoped the H2Hubs will create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of clean hydrogen as a clean energy source.

The announcement comes as the Biden Administration pushes to decarbonise the industrial sector, which accounts for a third of carbon emissions in the US.

The planned hubs come as part of the DOE’s strategy for achieving a 100% clean electric grid by 2035 and reach Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050, as well as the ‘Hydrogen Shot’ which aims to cut the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogramme within a decade.

Jennifer 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.

“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 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was announced in November 2021 and promises $8bn to regional hydrogen hubs, $1bn for clean hydrogen electrolysis and development, and $500m for clean hydrogen manufacturing and recycling.