DOE announces intended funding for hydrogen hubs across the nation

Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) announced its intention to release a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) in collaboration with the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s (EERE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office within the year. This FOA, titled “Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs” or “H2Hubs” will outline funding phases to promote the expansion of clean hydrogen energy and aid in the development of at least four clean hydrogen hubs throughout the U.S.

Funding for these H2Hubs will primarily come from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which was signed by President Biden in November 2021. In the BIL, over $62 billion was allocated to DOE for investments in clean energy innovation and expansion. Among this $62 billion, about $8 billion is specifically appropriated over five years to support expanding the hydrogen economy and building H2Hubs. These hubs are defined by the DOE as a network of clean energy producers, consumers, and relevant infrastructure in a region.

The anticipated FOA will also include equity considerations such as environmental justice, community engagement, inclusive workforce development, and quality jobs. Efforts to grow the network of hydrogen hubs in the U.S. will support the Biden administration’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 to 52 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, develop a carbon-pollution-free power sector by 2035, and reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Specifically, these H2Hubs are intended to help decarbonize sectors of the economy.

DOE anticipates releasing the FOA in September or October 2022 and expects it will result in the selection of four H2Hubs in various regions throughout the U.S. Selected proposals will be expected to feature characteristics like feedstock diversity, end-use diversity, geographic diversity, and employment. The projects will also need to create a balanced supply and demand of hydrogen, provide connected infrastructure, and be financially viable following DOE funding. The FOA is expected to feature four phases:

• Phase 1: Detailed Project Planning
• Phase 2: Project Development, Permitting, and Financing
• Phase 3: Installation, Integration, and Construction
• Phase 4: Ramp-UP and Sustained Operations

More information on the anticipated H2Hub funding opportunity can be found in this DOE Notice of Intent.