Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office Newsletter
January–June 2022
Welcome to the latest newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO)! This newsletter is a semiannual resource that includes a recap of recent news and events, as well as a preview of upcoming activities. Visit the archives for past newsletters.
In this issue:
In the News
DOE HFTO Launches H2 Matchmaker
H2 Matchmaker was first introduced during the December H2IQ Hour and went live in January. This tool helps match hydrogen producers, suppliers, users, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for growing the hydrogen ecosystem and realizing regional hydrogen hubs. A hydrogen hub is a regional network of hydrogen producers, potential or actual consumers, and connective infrastructure. H2 Matchmaker allows users to self-identify so they can reach out to other stakeholders in their region, aligning potential hydrogen needs in a specific geographic area within the United States. Additionally, HFTO’s H2 Matchmaker tool has served as inspiration to develop similar tools across DOE connecting stakeholders around other advanced energy technologies. For example, DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management recently launched the Carbon Matchmaker tool, which supports H2 Matchmaker in identifying opportunities for fossil-based hydrogen production routes coupled with carbon sequestration.
|
DOE Announces Winners of the First Hydrogen Business Case Prize Competition
DOE announced the winners of the first Hydrogen Business Case Prize Competition during the Hydrogen Program 2022 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR). This prize is part of the American-Made Challenges program, which recently passed its $100 Million Milestone. The competition challenged teams to develop practical financial analysis tools that address hydrogen production and adoption challenges. The first-place prize of $50,000 was awarded to Super Hydrogen Brothers for their Hydrogen Business Appraisal Tool, which consolidates information about state-of-the-art hydrogen technologies and determines how practical each one will be, given users’ preferences. View the rest of the winners.
The H2 Twin Cities Deadline is Approaching! Submissions Due July 25
Cities and regions around the world can submit their pairings for H2 Twin Cities until July 25. The initiative was launched last year by DOE in collaboration with Clean Energy Ministerial country members during the COP26 Climate Summit. H2 Twin Cities are self-assembled international community partnerships to exchange information, share best practices, and strengthen the commitment to environmental justice, social equity, and clean energy jobs, particularly at the city level.
|
Clean Hydrogen Energy Storage Project Receives DOE Loan Guarantee for More Than $500 Million
On June 8, the DOE Loan Programs Office issued a $504.4 million loan guarantee to finance Advanced Clean Energy Storage, a clean hydrogen and energy storage facility capable of providing long-duration, seasonal energy storage. The new facility in Delta, Utah, will be the nation’s largest hydrogen production and storage facility—combining 220 megawatts of alkaline electrolysis with two massive 4.5-million-barrel salt caverns to store clean hydrogen. Advanced Clean Energy Storage will capture excess renewable energy when it is most abundant, store it as hydrogen, then deploy it as fuel for a hydrogen-capable gas turbine combined-cycle power plant, part of the Intermountain Power Agency’s IPP Renewed project. The plan is to incrementally increase the amount of clean hydrogen in the turbine’s fuel mix to achieve 100% clean hydrogen by 2045. This is the first loan guarantee for a new clean energy technology project from DOE’s Loan Programs Office since 2014.
DOE Announces Nearly $25 Million for Clean Hydrogen Technologies for Electricity Generation
In May, DOE announced $24.9 million to fund six research and development projects to support the advancement of clean hydrogen technologies for electricity generation. These industry-sponsored projects will include improving the capture of carbon dioxide associated with hydrogen production from carbon-based resources and technologies to use hydrogen more efficiently in gas turbines for electricity generation.
HFTO Director Satyapal Provides Testimony on Clean Hydrogen to Senate
In February, Dr. Sunita Satyapal, HFTO director and Hydrogen Program coordinator, testified to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources during the Full Committee Hearing on Clean Hydrogen. Her remarks covered the status of clean hydrogen in the United States, key challenges, market and workforce growth potential, opportunities for hydrogen applications, and additional hydrogen-related opportunities to come through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Funding and Engagement Opportunities
DOE Launches Program for Clean Hydrogen Hubs
During this year’s Hydrogen Program Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR), DOE announced a notice of intent to fund the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $8 billion program to develop regional clean hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) across the United States. The notice of intent was released by HFTO in collaboration with the new DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. These hubs will create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. H2Hubs will aid in reaching the Hydrogen Shot goal of $1 per 1 kilogram of clean hydrogen in 1 decade (“1 1 1”) as well as President Biden’s goal of a 100% clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
DOE Announces Hydrogen Shot Incubator Prize
During this year’s Hydrogen Program AMR, DOE launched the Hydrogen Shot Incubator Prize. The $2.6 million competition will foster innovative concepts to produce clean, affordable hydrogen and support the DOE Hydrogen Program’s efforts to identify, develop, and test technologies that reduce the cost of clean hydrogen production. Secretary Granholm first announced the prize during DOE’s American-Made Earth Day Celebration in April. DOE held an H2IQ hour webinar about this prize on July 7, 2022. |
|
 |
Employment Opportunities and Internships
Are you interested in becoming a clean energy champion? HFTO has its own hiring page with several positions opening soon for technical experts to assist with the office’s clean hydrogen production, fuel cells, and technology acceleration efforts. There are many other ways to get involved: the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Science, Technology, and Policy Fellowships (including the Hydrogen Shot Fellowship) and various clean energy jobs and internships at EERE. Stay up to date with new opportunities by viewing current vacancies and subscribing to the EERE Career Opportunities email list.
 Become a Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Project Reviewer!
HFTO is looking for a diverse pool of subject matter experts to review applications for federal funding programs. Desired areas of expertise include (but are not limited to):
- Hydrogen production, storage, and delivery
- Hydrogen fuel cell technologies
- Hydrogen energy infrastructure
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Safety, codes and standards.
We highly encourage submissions from candidates in historically underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business, and entrepreneurship. We also encourage submissions from individuals at minority-serving institutions, historically black colleges and universities, minority business enterprises, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, or entities located in underserved communities. HFTO may provide an honorarium for reviewers’ time and expert feedback. Apply to be a reviewer today!
Closed Opportunities
FECM Funding for Clean Hydrogen Projects
In February, DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced $28 million in funding for research and development and front-end engineering design projects to advance clean hydrogen as a carbon-free fuel for transportation, industrial use, and electricity production. This funding will leverage innovative approaches to clean hydrogen production to support the Administration’s emissions goals and the Hydrogen Shot Initiative. This funding opportunity announcement closed on March 30.
HFTO Funding to Support the HBCU and OMI Talent Pipeline
HFTO contributed $2 million as part of an amendment to a funding opportunity announcement from FECM, which closed on May 31. The amendment aims to build a talent pipeline of scientists and engineers from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority institutions (OMIs). This funding, facilitated by the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s Crosscutting Research program, will help bridge the gap in clean hydrogen workforce development.
Requests for Information to Inform Implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
On February 15, DOE released two requests for information (RFIs) to collect feedback from stakeholders. These RFIs will inform the implementation of the $9.5 billion hydrogen provisions under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (closed March 21) and the Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing, Recycling, and Electrolysis Programs (closed March 29). RFI feedback from stakeholders allows DOE to issue well-informed notices of intent and funding opportunity announcements. HFTO would like to thank all those who submitted feedback.
Webinars, Workshops, and Events
Save the Date! Global Clean Energy Action Forum September 2022
The Global Clean Energy Action Forum will take place September 21–23 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, convening the 13th Clean Energy Ministerial and the 7th Mission Innovation Ministerial, and bringing together representatives from international organizations, governments, the private sector, academia, and the public. The event will cover topics including clean hydrogen and will feature:
- A high-level plenary
- Roundtables with CEOs, industry experts, and energy and science ministers from more than 30 countries
- Side events
- Technology demonstrations
- And more!
Register for the forum.
H2IQ Hour Webinar Recordings and Presentations Are Available for Viewing
HFTO hosts monthly H2IQ Hour webinars to share information about the status and progress of DOE-funded hydrogen and fuel cell projects and initiatives. Recent H2IQ Hour topics included:
- Greenhouse Gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technologies (GREET) Model for Hydrogen Life Cycle Emissions
- Concentrated Solar Power as a Pathway for Electrolytic Hydrogen Production
- Design and Operation of Metallic Pipelines for Service in Hydrogen and Blends
- Overview of DOE Requests for Information Supporting Hydrogen Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Provisions, and Environmental Justice Priorities.
Recordings and presentation slides are available on the H2IQ Hour webinars page.
|
DOE Hydrogen Program 2022 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting
Nearly 2,000 people from across the United States and approximately 60 countries tuned in to the DOE Hydrogen Program’s 2022 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR), which was held virtually June 6–8. The three-day event included remarks from Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Energy Justice Director Shalanda Baker, as well as presentations and panels addressing the Hydrogen Program’s priorities, such as the DOE Hydrogen Energy Earthshot. Independent reviewers attended presentations about DOE-funded hydrogen and fuel cell projects and evaluated their contributions to overall program efforts. You can view event proceedings and presentations on the 2022 AMR Proceedings page. Save the date for next year’s AMR: June 5–8, 2023.
HFTO Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Workshops and Meetings
Since January, HFTO has hosted four workshops and two expert meetings on Manufacturing Automation and Recycling for Clean Hydrogen Technologies; Advanced Materials for Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers; High-Temperature Electrolysis Manufacturing; Liquid Hydrogen Technologies; Bulk Storage of Gaseous Hydrogen; and Advanced Liquid Alkaline Electrolysis. View workshop and meeting proceedings.
Studies, Reports, and Publications
American Clean Energy Supply Chain Report
In February, the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy released seven deep-dive assessments of clean energy manufacturing supply chains. Each assessment focuses on a different technology or resource that will help the Biden Administration achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. HFTO contributed to the Water Electrolyzers and Fuel Cells Supply Chain Deep Dive Assessment, identifying key considerations that will help to meet the future demand for hydrogen production by electrolysis.
Hydrogen Program Record for PEM Electrolyzers
On June 6, the Hydrogen Program published a new program record for proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer installations in the United States. The record indicates that as of May, approximately 621 megawatts of PEM electrolyzers were either installed or announced in the United States. The record accounts for units of 120 kilowatts or greater and does not include smaller units such as those used in laboratory research. View all Hydrogen Program records.
Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable Report on Hydrogen
In April, DOE released the full report from the Foundational Science for Carbon-Neutral Hydrogen Technologies virtual roundtable in August 2021. The event was hosted by the Office of Basic Energy Sciences in coordination with the offices of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, and Nuclear Energy. The roundtable addressed barriers to carbon-neutral hydrogen production, storage, transport, utilization, and conversion and identified priority research opportunities to address associated scientific and technical challenges.
|
Spotlights
DOE Hydrogen Program Presents 2022 Awards at Annual Merit Review
Each year during its Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting, the Hydrogen Program presents awards to individuals from partner institutions for contributions to overall program efforts and to recognize research, development, and demonstration achievements in specific areas. This year’s awards recognized seven recipients in five categories: Hydrogen Technologies–Production; Hydrogen Technologies–Storage and Infrastructure; Fuel Cell Technologies; Technology Acceleration; and Technology Acceleration–Safety, Codes and Standards. View the full list of awardees.
DOE Announces Postdoctoral Recognition Awards
Each year, HFTO’s Postdoctoral Recognition Awards recognize postdoctoral fellows from DOE national laboratories who have made outstanding contributions to the research, development, and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The HFTO Postdoctoral Recognition Award aligns with the Hydrogen Program’s commitment to advancing and strengthening the hydrogen and fuel cell workforce in the United States. This year’s first-place winners were Carlos Baez-Cotto from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and ChungHyuk Lee from Los Alamos National Laboratory. Wenjuan Bian from Idaho National Laboratory and Ryan Klein from NREL were runners-up. View the 2022 HFTO Postdoctoral Recognition Awards to learn more about the recipients and view their award presentations, which include summaries of all four researchers’ accomplishments.
PBS NewsHour Highlights Keith Wipke and NREL
A PBS NewsHour segment released in April, “Could hydrogen be the clean fuel of the future?” featured hydrogen research at NREL. Keith Wipke, laboratory program manager for NREL’s Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technologies Program, gave PBS NewsHour science correspondent Miles O’Brien a tour of NREL’s facilities and offered insight into the laboratory’s work and accomplishments and the clean energy future that hydrogen is helping make possible.
|
