 The Wells Dam in Doulgas County is powering an affordable source of hydrogen fuel. Photo: Douglas County Public Utility District.
October News
MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY
Douglas County's green, affordable hydrogen fuel featured
An affordable hydrogen fuel station managed by the Douglas County Public Utility District was recently featured by the online news source Driving Hydrogen.
The hydrogen fuel is produced at the Wells Dam site, supported by hydropower on the Columbia River. The fuel is sold at $4 per kilogram, up to 90% below current retail rates in the U.S., according to the report. Surplus energy from the Wells Hydroelectric Project powers an electrolyser, which splits water into hydrogen and oxygen.
“When grid demand falls below the hydro plant’s output, Douglas PUD faces a choice: it can either reduce generation by adjusting flow through the turbines – which adds mechanical wear and limits operational efficiency – or find a productive use for the surplus power,” Driving Hydrogen reports.
Hydrogen powered vehicles used by the utility district are using the fuel, among other local examples. Read more or check out this video from the Douglas County PUD.
Puget Sound Energy breaks ground on 142 megawatt Appaloosa Solar Project
Puget Sound Energy has begun construction on a utility-scale solar facility in southeastern Washington, the company reports.
The Appaloosa Solar Project is located in Garfield County. The project is capable of generating 142 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power 30,000 homes. By leveraging existing transmission rights and infrastructure, project costs and local impacts are minimized, the company reports.
The project is expected to create 300 jobs during construction and will include local suppliers when available, promoting economic development in the region. Construction will continue through 2026 and commercial operation is expected by the end of next year. Learn more.
POLICY
Ferguson pauses approval of central Washington solar project
Gov. Bob Ferguson has delayed approval of the Carriger Solar project in Klickitat County to allow the Yakama Nation more time to provide input on cultural resource protections, the Washington State Standard reports.
The state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council has recommended approval, but Ferguson directed the panel to reconsider tribal concerns before finalizing the agreement by Oct. 21. The project would generate 160 megawatts of solar power and includes a proposed 63 megawatt battery system to power 32,000 homes and help Washington meet its clean energy goals.
Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub faces funding setbacks
The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub has suffered another setback as Portland General Electric and Mitsubishi Power withdrew from a major hydrogen project near Boardman, Oregon, citing economic and policy uncertainties, the Washington State Standard reports. This follows earlier exits by Fortescue and First Mode.
And on Oct. 1, the White House cancelled $1 billion in federal funding for the regional hydrogen hub, Axios reports.
"It's a major and significant setback," Chris Green, president of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association, told Axios.
Gov. Bob Ferguson called the move outrageous.
"We're working with the Attorney General's Office to fight this illegal action," Ferguson said in a statement.
Still, hydrogen remains a viable product for energy dominance and represents a market worth hundreds of billions of dollars, the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association said in a statement.
"With or without federal support, this industry will continue to drive the innovation and infrastructure needed to fortify America’s energy economy," the association reports.
Interior Department cancels Lava Ridge Wind Project
A large wind farm project in Idaho has been cancelled by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Idaho Capital Sun reports. The department announced the reversal of a decision to approve the Lava Ridge Wind Project in August.
The project would have built more than 200 wind turbines producing an expected 1,000 megawatts of power, the Sun reports.
The cancellation underscores ongoing tensions between federal renewable energy siting and local stakeholder engagement.
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