ABB, a Switzerland-based technology company, has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bair Energy, a program and construction management firm, to jointly develop the Clear Fork green hydrogen complex in Texas.
This article explores the goals, technology, potential impact, and challenges surrounding the project, highlighting the significance of this collaboration in advancing low-cost green hydrogen production and supporting sustainable transportation.
ABB will join the Bair Energy Green Hydrogen and Technology Alliance to provide expertise in automation, electrification, and digitalization technologies for the optimization of low-cost green hydrogen production at the Clear Fork facility. The companies will explore the utilization of ABB’s digital twin technology, including the ABB Ability 800xA Simulator and ABB Ability Process Power Simulator. These solutions combine electrical and process controls with dynamic simulation to create a virtual representation of the plant’s design, operation, and maintenance, enabling improved efficiency and shorter start-up periods.
The Clear Fork green hydrogen complex will have an initial capacity to generate up to 33,000kg of green hydrogen per day, using clean energy in its first phase. The facility’s daily capacity is expected to increase to 132,000kg by 2028. The generated green hydrogen will be liquefied on-site, stored, and transported to customers, establishing hydrogen networks in the mobility and transportation sector.
ABB Energy Industries President Brandon Spencer highlights the significance of this project in supporting low-cost hydrogen production and sustainable transport, particularly in the United States. The collaboration aligns with the incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and supports the goal of reducing the cost of green hydrogen production to under $0/kg by 2030. By deploying advanced technologies and methodologies, such as ABB’s Adaptive Execution, the Clear Fork project aims to lower capital expenditure (CAPEX) by 20% and accelerate the facility’s delivery time.
