Ballard Power Systems has been selected for two grants by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), totaling $40 million.
The grants were awarded under the Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis, Manufacturing, and Recycling Program, showcasing a push towards environmental sustainability across the nation. The funds will be used to establish Ballard Rockwall Giga 1, a manufacturing facility in Rockwall, Texas, projected to be completed by the end of 2027.
Upon completion, this flagship facility is expected to manufacture 8 million membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs), 8 million bipolar plates, and up to 20,000 fuel cell stacks and engines on an annual basis. With the equivalent output of 3 gigawatts of fuel cells, it aligns with Ballard’s ‘local for local’ concept, promoting advanced regional manufacturing.
Ballard has also demonstrated its commitment to future growth, with arrangements permitting further development phases at the Rockwall site, aiming at increased production capacity with lower capital requirements. Wit the federal government backing the paradigm shift towards hydrogen fuel cells, the firm is well-positioned to advance its mission of becoming a global leader in the technology.
The grant funding consists of a $30 million grant for advanced proton exchange membrane (PEM) MEAs and automated stack assembly, along with an additional $10 million for a next-generation flexible graphite bipolar plate manufacturing line. Ballard’s commitment to next-generation manufacturing processes signifies a brighter future for cost-competitive fuel cell technologies.
Supportive public-private partnerships have materialized locally, with Ballard receiving land, financial and logistical assistance from the Rockwall Economic Development Corporation (REDC). The authorities’ active participation in the master plan, combined with the development’s proximity to the flourishing Gulf Coast Hydrogen hub, promises a successful venture for Ballard.
