Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office Newsletter
July–December 2022
Welcome to the latest newsletter from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO), in collaboration with other offices in the DOE Hydrogen Program! 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
Draft DOE National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap Released
In September, DOE released the draft DOE National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap for public comment. The Strategy and Roadmap provides a snapshot of hydrogen production, transport, storage, and use in the United States today. The Strategy and Roadmap explores the potential for clean hydrogen to contribute to national clean energy goals across multiple sectors and identifies opportunities for expansion of domestic clean hydrogen production to 10 million metric tons (MMT) per year by 2030, 20 MMT/year by 2040, and 50 MMT/year by 2050. Public comments were collected via email through December 1, 2022. Feedback will be used to finalize the document and develop updates as required by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The Strategy and Roadmap will be finalized in early 2023 and updated per the BIL at least every three years.
President Biden Signs Inflation Reduction Act into Law—with Key Hydrogen Provisions
In August, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and President Biden signed it into law. The IRA includes several incentives for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, including the potentially game-changing Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit, which will provide credits of up to $3/kg of clean hydrogen based on the carbon intensity of production. The U.S. Department of the Treasury is working closely with DOE to collect public comments regarding the implementation of the tax credit. Read more about these financial incentives for hydrogen and fuel cells and how the IRA will advance the U.S. hydrogen economy.
Secretary Granholm Announces H2 Twin Cities Winners
In November, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, in collaboration with the governments of Japan and the United Kingdom, announced the winners of the 2022 H2 Twin Cities program at COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt. H2 Twin Cities is part of the Clean Energy Ministerial Hydrogen Initiative (CEM H2I), under which self-assembled international community partnerships are formed to exchange information; share best practices; and strengthen commitment to environmental justice, social equity, and clean energy jobs, particularly at the city and municipality levels. Read more about the H2 Twin Cities 2022 winners.
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DOE Awards $29 Million to Advance Clean Hydrogen Production from Biomass, Blended Feedstocks, and Natural Gas
In August, DOE announced the selection of 15 industry- and university-led projects to receive $28.9 million in funding to advance clean hydrogen production from biomass and blended feedstocks, and from natural gas with carbon sequestration. These projects include R&D efforts to advance technologies for low-cost, carbon-neutral hydrogen production from sustainable biomass feedstocks and for hydrogen production from blended feedstocks (including biomass, waste coal, waste plastics, and municipal solid wastes). Other selected projects are conducting front-end engineering design studies to design and implement carbon capture systems that enable the production of clean hydrogen from natural gas. This funding opportunity was administered by the DOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), and DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will manage the selected projects. Read more about the 15 selected projects.
DOE Announces $4.7 Million in Funding to Improve Hydrogen Turbine Performance and Reduce Energy Costs
In September, DOE announced almost $4.7 million in funding for six projects to advance the development of ceramic-based materials for hydrogen-fueled turbines. These materials have the potential to improve the efficiency of turbines that may one day be used in power plants. Selected projects are focused on R&D of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) components, which allow hydrogen turbines to operate at higher working temperatures, ultimately improving cycle efficiency. Specifically, this R&D will enable operation at 150°C higher than current CMC technology and 450°C higher than existing nickel-based materials allow, while reducing the amount of cooling air required. These improvements will lead to increased turbine efficiency, ultimately resulting in reduced electricity costs, as well as lower greenhouse gas emissions as clean hydrogen displaces natural gas as a turbine fuel. This funding opportunity was administered by FECM, and NETL will manage the selected projects.
DOE Awards $1.5 Million to Train the Next-Generation Hydrogen Workforce at Minority Serving Institutions
In November, DOE announced $1.5 million in funding for five projects to advance key clean-hydrogen technologies while growing the skills and knowledge of students at minority serving institutions (MSIs). Advancements in these projects will support the administration’s climate goals and the Hydrogen Shot goal of reducing the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per 1 kilogram in 1 decade (“1 1 1”) while giving participating students the opportunity to work directly with DOE national laboratory researchers. DOE awarded two projects at the University of Texas at El Paso, the nation’s largest federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI); two projects at the University of California, Riverside, both an HSI and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI); and one project at California State University, Los Angeles, an AANAPISI. HFTO will manage these projects, which are funded by HFTO through an amendment to a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) administered by FECM.
DOE Announces Phase-One Winners of the Hydrogen Shot Incubator Prize
In October, DOE announced nine phase-one winners of the Hydrogen Shot Incubator Prize competition. The $2.6 million prize competition fosters innovative concepts to produce clean, affordable hydrogen and supports the Hydrogen Program’s efforts to identify, develop, and test technologies that reduce the cost of clean hydrogen production. In this phase (Propose!), the winning teams received $60,000 for their early-stage concepts for novel hydrogen production technologies—$10,000 in cash and $50,000 in vouchers to spend at national laboratories to further develop their concepts. Winners of the next phase (Prove!) will receive $300,000 in national laboratory vouchers and $100,000 in cash to support their demonstration efforts in preparation for a “Pitch Day” with potential investors and commercial partners.
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Four Nuclear Power Plants Prepare for Clean Hydrogen Production
HFTO and the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) have begun teaming up with utilities to support four hydrogen demonstration projects at nuclear power plants. These include Nine Mile Point Nuclear Power Station in Oswego, NY; Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Oak Harbor, OH; Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant in Red Wing, MN; and Palo Verde Generating Station in Tonopah, AZ. Hydrogen produced from nuclear energy is expected to play a significant role in the clean hydrogen economy. The BIL mandates that at least one regional clean hydrogen hub will be focused on clean hydrogen production using nuclear energy, and DOE estimates that a 1,000-megawatt reactor could produce up to 150,000 tons of hydrogen each year, which can serve multiple regional end-uses. Traditional and advanced nuclear reactors are well-suited to provide the constant heat and electricity needed to produce clean hydrogen, which could open new markets for nuclear power plants.
Dr. Satyapal Receives the Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award
In November, Dr. Sunita Satyapal, director of HFTO and coordinator of the DOE Hydrogen Program, was awarded the Distinguished Executive Presidential Rank Award. This award was established under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 to recognize a select group of career members of the Senior Executive Series (SES) and select senior career employees for exceptional performance. View the full list of 2022 Presidential Rank Award winners.
Funding Opportunities
DOE Announces Funding Opportunity for Clean Hydrogen Hubs
In September, DOE announced a historic $7 billion in funding to create regional clean hydrogen hubs across the country. This initial funding is part of the $8 billion Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) Program funded through the BIL. The H2Hubs will create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. The H2Hubs are a critical component of the administration’s plan to invest in America’s workforce, jumpstart local economic growth, and create good-paying union jobs, while building a clean-energy economy, improving energy security, and meeting its aggressive climate goals. This FOA was developed jointly by HFTO and the DOE Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED); the remainder of the FOA process and selected projects will be managed by OCED, with ongoing support from HFTO. The deadline for submitting concept papers was November 7, 2022, and full applications are due by April 7, 2023.
Read the H2Hubs Frequently Asked Questions resource for additional information and register for the H2Hubs Applicant Informational Webinar on January 12, 2023 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST.
DOE Launches First Phase of $1.5 Billion in BIL-Funded Programs for Electrolysis, Manufacturing, and Recycling by Releasing Notice of Intent
In December, DOE released a notice of intent (NOI) to issue $750 million in funding from the BIL, to dramatically reduce the cost of clean-hydrogen technologies, providing critical long-term support for the Hydrogen Hubs and other industry deployments. This potential funding is an essential part of the Biden Administration’s comprehensive approach to accelerating the widespread use of clean hydrogen, and it represents the first phase of implementation of two BIL provisions that provide a total of $1.5 billion in funding. These provisions were created by the BIL as amendments to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT)—Section 815, which provides $500 million in funding for clean hydrogen manufacturing and recycling, and Section 816, which provides $1 billion for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of electrolysis technologies. HFTO will administer this first phase of potential funding, covering $750 million, which is expected for release in early 2023.
DOE Issues Notice of Intent for Funding in Support of Hydrogen Shot
In December, DOE released a notice of intent to issue funding to accelerate the RD&D of affordable clean-hydrogen technologies. This potential funding will reduce the cost and improve the performance of technologies for both hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cells and will advance the Hydrogen Shot goal of reducing the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per 1 kilogram in 1 decade (“1 1 1”). It is anticipated that funded projects will focus on RD&D of key hydrogen delivery and storage technologies as well as affordable and durable fuel cell technologies. Fuel cell RD&D efforts will focus particularly on applications for heavy-duty trucks, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and eliminate tailpipe emissions that are harmful to local air quality. HFTO will administer this potential funding opportunity, which is expected for release in early 2023.
DOE Announces Laboratory Call for Technology Commercialization Fund
In December, DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) announced this year’s Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) Base Annual Appropriations National Laboratory Call, Core Laboratory Infrastructure for Market Readiness (CLIMR). This lab call aims to help commercialize promising energy technologies and intellectual property (IP) coming out of the national labs, and it includes the opportunity for private-sector teams to partner with national labs. OTT is partnering with HFTO and eight other DOE program offices on this solicitation, and hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and related IP are among the technology areas eligible for funding. DOE will select projects from national labs and their private-sector partners in the following six topic areas: Market Needs Assessment, Curation of IP, Matchmaking, Technology Specific Partnerships, Streamlining Laboratory Processes, and Increasing External Partnerships.
DOE Announces Funding Opportunity for Nuclear-Coupled Hydrogen Production and Use
In September, DOE announced an amendment to an existing funding opportunity, which aims to support the development of nuclear plant thermal integration that would be required for high-temperature hydrogen production or hydrogen-coupled end uses for nuclear energy. This funding opportunity closed on October 11, 2022. The amendment is an example of collaboration between the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE) and HFTO.
DOE Funding Opportunity for University-Led Nuclear Research Includes Hydrogen Topic
In September, DOE announced a funding opportunity for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research, which includes a subtopic on “Integrated Energy Systems and Industrial Applications.” Activities funded under this subtopic can include development of reference designs for systems that integrate nuclear power generation with hydrogen production. Pre-applications are under review, and full applications are due February 8, 2023. NE is administering this FOA and will manage selected projects.
DOE Announces Funding Opportunity to Advance Clean Hydrogen Technologies and Decarbonize Grid
In August, DOE announced a funding opportunity that includes $40 million to advance the development and deployment of clean hydrogen technologies and $20 million for a university research consortium to help states and tribal communities successfully implement grid resilience programs and achieve decarbonization goals. Administered by HFTO, this FOA includes the following topic areas: technologies to create solar fuels by harvesting sunlight; improved hydrogen-emissions detection and monitoring; demonstration of higher-density and lower-pressure hydrogen storage technologies; and efforts to lower the costs and enhance the durability of hydrogen fuel cells for medium- and heavy-duty transportation applications. It will also provide three-year funding for a regionally diverse university consortium focused on developing a decarbonized and more resilient electrical power system in coordination with universities in Mexico and Canada. The FOA closed on December 1 and HFTO plans to announce selected projects in early 2023.
DOE Announces Funding Opportunity for Clean Hydrogen Production, Storage, Transport, and Utilization
In August, DOE announced $32 million in funding for clean hydrogen production, storage, transport, and utilization to enable a net-zero carbon economy. Administered by FECM, this FOA leverages innovative approaches to clean hydrogen production, storage, transport, and utilization in four areas of interest: natural gas to hydrogen; biomass, municipal solid wastes, coal wastes, and waste plastics to hydrogen; leak detection in hydrogen infrastructure; and safe, long-term subsurface hydrogen storage. This FOA closed November 8 and FECM expects to announce selected projects in early 2023.
Engagement Opportunities
Employment Opportunities and Internships
Interested in becoming a clean energy champion? HFTO has its own hiring page with five current open positions for technical experts to assist with the office’s hydrogen production and manufacturing efforts. There are many other ways to get involved, too: the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Science, Technology, and Policy Fellowships (such as the Hydrogen Shot Fellowship); careers; and internships. Stay up-to-date on EERE opportunities and subscribe to the EERE Career Opportunities email list.
Interested in Becoming a Hydrogen and Fuel Cells 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 groups historically underrepresented 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, woman-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!
Webinars, Workshops, and Events
DOE Celebrates National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day
Each year, HFTO and DOE celebrate National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day on October 8, 2022, in honor of hydrogen’s atomic weight: 1.008. This year’s celebrations included communications and outreach activities during the week of October 5–12 to engage and educate the community. Activities included a 1.008-mile walk, a hydrogen and fuel cell quiz, a blog on environmental justice and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility efforts in the DOE Hydrogen Program, and multiple news blasts, including social media posts by Secretary Granholm.
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DOE’s Clean Hydrogen Efforts Take Center Stage at Global Clean Energy Event
During the first-ever Global Clean Energy Action Forum (GCEAF) in September, Secretary Granholm announced both the FOA for the regional clean hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) and the release of the draft DOE National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap. In partnership with the DOE Office of International Affairs (IA), HFTO convened leaders from ten government agencies spanning five continents and nine executives from organizations with significant international interests in the hydrogen industry for a roundtable discussion at GCEAF. The roundtable was chaired by Secretary Granholm, and participants identified several priority areas for actions that will increase supply and demand for clean hydrogen. Participants also agreed to support a call to action to identify or expand national targets within 12 to 24 months to accelerate growth of the clean hydrogen market. HFTO and IA also worked with multiple international partners to help organize 11 high-level side-events focused on hydrogen.
DOE Co-Hosts Hydrogen Americas Summit in Washington, DC
HFTO collaborated with IA to assist with the Hydrogen Americas Summit, which was jointly hosted by DOE and the Sustainable Energy Council on October 10–11, 2022. The Summit convened representatives from government, industry, and a wide range of stakeholder groups from the Americas and globally, to identify opportunities to advance the growth of clean hydrogen markets and industry in the Americas. Selected presentations from the Summit are available online.
Tribal Clean Energy Summit Includes Hydrogen Session
On October 4–5, 2022, tribal leaders joined Secretary Granholm and DOE’s Office of Indian Energy Director Wahleah Johns for a nation-to-nation discussion at the Tribal Clean Energy Summit, to explore how tribes can harness clean energy to enhance energy sovereignty, address climate resilience, and build stronger economies. The Summit included presentations on DOE’s hydrogen activities by HFTO, FECM, and OCED.
Save the Date! 2023 DOE Hydrogen Program Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting
The DOE Hydrogen Program’s 2023 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR) will take place June 5–8, 2023. The 2022 AMR was held online as a virtual meeting June 6–8, 2022, convening nearly 2,000 people from across the United States and approximately 60 countries, and included remarks from Secretary Granholm and DOE Energy Justice Director Shalanda Baker. The 2022 AMR focused on a high-level peer review of subprograms within HFTO and included opportunities for independent reviewers to comment on the DOE-wide Hydrogen Program, as well as on interdepartmental collaboration on hydrogen and fuel cells. You can view the entire 2022 proceedings and presentations on the 2022 AMR Proceedings Page.
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, and to provide a forum for exploration and discussion of general hydrogen and fuel cell topics. Recent H2IQ Hour topics included: the Hydrogen Shot Incubator Prize, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Projects in Disadvantaged Communities, NOx Emissions from Gas Turbines Fueled with Hydrogen, Workforce Development in Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, Demonstrations of H2A-Lite and H2FAST Models, and Record-Setting High-Throughput Hydrogen Fueling at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Recordings and presentation slides are available on the H2IQ Hour Webinar Page.
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DOE Hosts Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Workshops and Meetings
In 2022, HFTO hosted several workshops and meetings to convene experts from the research community, government, and the private sector—to identify gaps in research, development, demonstration, and deployment, identify next steps to enable large-scale hydrogen use, and inform the planning and design of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provisions. These included the following workshops and expert meetings:
- Advanced Liquid Alkaline Electrolysis Experts Meeting
- Bulk Storage of Gaseous Hydrogen Workshop
- Liquid Hydrogen Technologies Workshop
- High-Temperature Electrolysis Manufacturing Workshop
- H2-AMP: Advanced Materials for Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers Workshop
- Manufacturing Automation and Recycling for Clean Hydrogen Technologies Experts Meeting
All HFTO workshop and meeting proceedings can be found here.
In November, FECM and DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office hosted a workshop to assess the state of gasification technologies, which can be used to produce chemicals and viable transportation fuels (including hydrogen) from inexpensive materials such as wastes and biomass.
Studies, Reports, and Publications
DOE Publishes Draft Guidance for Clean Hydrogen Production Standard
In September, DOE released draft guidance for a Clean Hydrogen Production Standard (CHPS) for public comment, which closed on November 14. This initial proposal establishes a target of 4.0 kgCO2e/kgH2 for lifecycle greenhouse emissions associated with hydrogen production. The development of this document aligns with BIL requirements. The CHPS is not a regulatory standard, and DOE may not necessarily require future funded activities to achieve the standard. However, hydrogen hubs (H2Hubs) funded through BIL will be required to “demonstrably aid achievement” of the CHPS by mitigating emissions across the supply chain to the greatest extent possible.
Spotlights
HydroGEN Advanced Water Splitting Materials Consortium Receives R&D 100 Awards
In September, R&D Magazine honored two innovative technologies with ties to the HydroGEN Advanced Water Splitting Materials consortium, which is funded by HFTO. One of these innovations, a platinum group metal (PGM)–free catalyst for use in proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, was developed by Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) in a project funded by HFTO. This catalyst promotes the oxygen evolution reaction at the electrolyzer’s anode, where water is oxidized to form oxygen. By eliminating the need for costly iridium, it has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of clean hydrogen production using PEM electrolysis. The other HydroGEN-related innovation that received an award is SolarCatMesh, a photoelectrochemical device developed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that uses sunlight to directly convert water into hydrogen and oxygen. While SolarCatMesh’s development was not directly funded by HFTO, the inventors include current and former HydroGEN capability experts.
HFTO Launches New Spotlight Series
In September, HFTO launched a new spotlight series celebrating early career professionals and highlighting milestones in workforce development, particularly for those with backgrounds in historically underserved and underrepresented communities. The first in the series, which celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month, featured Carlos Baez-Cotto, a scientist at NREL and recipient of the HFTO Postdoctoral Recognition Award. In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, November’s spotlight featured two Native Americans making their mark in hydrogen and fuel cells: Deirdra Deswood, a student at Navajo Technical University and an intern at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and Talia Martin, the Tribal Department of Energy Director for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.
Women of Color Magazine interviews Dr. Sunita Satyapal
In October, Women of Color featured HFTO Director and DOE Program Coordinator Dr. Sunita Satyapal, who discussed the need for climate crisis awareness and the role diversity plays in that awareness. Read the full interview.
Amgad Elgowainy Named Argonne Distinguished Fellow
In November, Amgad Elgowainy, a senior scientist and group leader in ANL’s Systems Assessment Center of the Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis division, was one of three scientists recognized as an Argonne Distinguished Fellow for 2022. The Argonne Distinguished Fellow is the highest scientific/engineering rank at the laboratory, and this distinction is held by only a small fraction (approximately 3 percent) of the research staff. Dr. Elgowainy is the recipient of a 2012 AMR Award for his work on hydrogen delivery models. He was also recognized with a 2015 AMR Award for his contributions to a team that developed techno-economic and financial tools for hydrogen stations, and was recognized for his efforts as part of the U.S. DRIVE Cradle-2-Grave Working Group, which received the 2016 Joint HFTO and DOE Vehicle Technologies Office AMR Award.
Katherine Ayers Receives Electrochemical Society’s Sustainable Energy Technology Award
In September, Dr. Katherine Ayers, who has served as the principal investigator on several HFTO-funded low-temperature water electrolysis projects, was awarded the Electrochemical Society Energy Technology Division’s Walter van Schalkwijk Award in Sustainable Energy Technology. This award recognizes Dr. Ayers for her work in Low Temperature Water Electrolysis as a Near Term Enabler in Climate Change Mitigation. Dr. Ayers is vice president of research and development for Nel Hydrogen U.S. and is also the recipient of a 2021 AMR Award as part of a team that successfully led the development of benchmarks and test protocols for advanced water-splitting technologies, including low- and high-temperature electrolysis, photoelectrochemical, and solar thermochemical water splitting. The Walter van Shalkwijk Award recognizes and rewards research scientists, academicians, and entrepreneurs who make innovative and transformative contributions to sustainable energy technologies.
Jacob Spendelow Announced as a 2022–2023 ECS Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship Recipient
In August, Jacob Spendelow, a scientist at LANL, was awarded a 2022-2023 Electrochemical Society Toyota Young Investigator Fellowship for his research focused on fundamental and applied electrochemical science associated with energy devices such as fuel cells and electrolyzers. This fellowship helps to promote innovative and unconventional green energy technologies and encourages young professionals and scholars to pursue battery and fuel cell research.
Stay current with hydrogen and clean energy news!
- Subscribe to Hydrogen and Fuel Cell News from HFTO to stay up to date on hydrogen and fuel cell news and funding opportunities
- Subscribe to EERE’s Weekly Jolt, for the latest clean energy news from DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
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