The PNWH2 Hub concept envisions creating a dynamic Pacific Northwest network of clean, renewable hydrogen suppliers and end-users to decarbonize some of the hardest-to-abate sectors, such as heavy-duty transportation, aviation, maritime, agriculture, and industrial operations.
The PNWH2 Hub’s goal is to exceed the U.S. Department of Energy’s benchmark of 50 to 100 metric tons per day for hydrogen production.
"We don't really have a Mr. Fusion out there to go 600, 700 miles," said the report's key author and NACFE's Director of Emerging Technologies Rick Mihelic, "and as much as we appreciate battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), they really aren't set up to go those really long distances with heavy loads."
“I see the battery as the first step into the direction of zero-emission mobility,” Lohscheller told me. “The real potential is for us in the fuel cell truck because it has a longer range. It has less fueling time. It has less weight, and we can combine it with our energy.”
...executed a strategic collaboration agreement including liquid hydrogen storage tanks, transport trailers, and the development of new mobile and modular hydrogen refueling stations for quick deployment. This agreement includes additional collaboration on the advancement of hydrogen technology for infrastructure and truck on-board fuel systems.
"Ports are ideal spaces to invest in hydrogen and ammonia infrastructure since investments there will make fuel available for marine, rail, and truck applications," said Chris Connor, AAPA President, and CEO. "The Hydrogen for Ports Act will make innovative energy projects around the country possible, mitigating emissions and opening up new opportunities for jobs and economic growth.
With California’s current grid reliability challenges and need for more power generation capacity – coupled with the state’s continuing “overdemand” – all energy and mobility solutions must be brought to bear. National Lab studies have demonstrated the grid infrastructure required to charge battery electric vehicles of all sizes. The use of fuel cell electric vehicles, fueled by hydrogen, avoid further compounding grid reliability challenges.
Article 6 of the regulation will mandate the construction of one gaseous hydrogen refuelling station (HRS) every 200 km on the TEN-T core network by the end of 2030, as well as one HRS in every urban node. The stations will have a daily supply capacity of one ton of hydrogen for all modes of road transport. Member States must prepare an HRS deployment plan by 2027 that will satisfy the needs of hydrogen powered road mobility.
“They’re not bound by their history. A startup like Nikola can be anything they want to be, so it's probably easier for them as opposed to a [legacy truck manufacturer] or anybody who's been around for a hundred years to say, ‘I'm going to provide the fuel too.’ It’s creating a whole new widget – and challenge and business – that's quite likely needed. And at the same time, do we want to get into it?”
Elrick said that legacy companies have had longstanding partnerships with large fuel companies that could prove advantageous when it comes to pairing up fuel cell deployments with hydrogen station rollouts.
“[Legacy OEMs] are so well connected,” Elrick said. “Why would they go compete against somebody who's been a partner over the decades?”
"This bill would greatly enhance the opportunity for Washington to become a hydrogen hub," Abbarno said. "Communities in Southwest Washington and beyond are competing on the national and international stage to become part of a hydrogen hub and this legislation will help keep us competitive."
Commerce initially received 23 applications in a two-phase review process that resulted in the selection of these projects for funding:
Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Port of Olympia partnership, Thurston County – $89,000 for the Joint Nisqually Indian Tribe-Port of Olympia Hydrogen for the Transportation and Energy Reserve Power Project. Conversion studies will be conducted for the Tribe’s 160-vehicle fleet and the Port’s vehicle and industrial equipment. The study will assess emergency resiliency and scaled deployment of a modular on-site H2 electrolytic energy system with public access through the Tribe’s fueling and convenience stores.
German battery technology company Freudenberg e-Power Systems, shipbuilder Meyer Werft and cruise line Royal Caribbean Group have joined forces to develop a completely new fuel cell system tailored to the maritime sector.
The two ports will also collaborate on alternative fuels, as well as on strategies to incorporate new and emerging green technologies to minimize the impact of port operations on local communities and the overall environment.
The hub projects are expected to showcase an entire hydrogen supply chain, including production, storage and distribution as a way forward on decarbonization in various sectors.
With specific terminals signing on to take part, the ports’ portion of the California hub could include on-road trucks, fueling stations, yard tractors, top handler equipment and tugboats.
Under his watch, new Toyota CEO Koji Sato says a top focus through the end of the decade will be expanding the hydrogen infrastructure and the array of industries using the futuristic fuel.
Nevada and Arizona have a unique energy ecosystem, with geological resources and transportation routes that support favorable conditions for a clean hydrogen market. These include strategic access to critical transportation routes for energy delivery; the geological resources to support storage of large volumes of salt deposits at low cost; and pre-existing infrastructure and pipelines for integration with other renewables.
These attributes provide the region with an opportunity to meet energy demand and export to larger markets via major interstates, rail and pipelines.