The US Department of Energy (DOE) has announced almost $8 million in funding for nine collaborative initiatives that will complement existing H2@Scale efforts and help DOE achieve its Hydrogen Shot target of lowering the cost of clean hydrogen by 80% within a decade.
The selected projects, known as cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs), will use the ARIES platform to allow the integration of hydrogen technologies in future energy systems, including energy storage and an emphasis on safety and risk reduction.
Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Kelly Speakes-Backman stated, “Achieving our Hydrogen Shot targets will involve all of us – the scientific community, business, government, and all stakeholders working together and utilizing each other’s skills and experience.” “By promoting collaboration between the private sector and DOE National Laboratories to bring clean and cost-competitive hydrogen to scale, these programs announced today will help us achieve exactly that.”
The selected projects will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 by testing key hydrogen systems, including safety components, and providing real-world data to guide future clean hydrogen deployments in the United States, in addition to supporting DOE’s Hydrogen Shot initiative.
From the H2@Scale CRADA Call Supporting ARIES in 2021, the following projects were chosen:
H2@ARIES—Integrated Hydrogen Energy System Testing/Validation is the first topic.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and GKN Metallurgy will test and demonstrate the dynamic functioning of a 520 kg hydrogen metal hydride storage subsystem, which will be integrated with ARIES megawatt-scale hydrogen capabilities. (Amount of award: $1,722,089)
NREL and GE Renewable Energy will improve wind turbine design particularly for electrolysis hydrogen generation, and validate designs utilizing NREL’s ARIES facilities. (Amount of award: $500,000)
The connectivity and interoperability criteria for grid forming fuel cell inverters will be evaluated by NREL, Southern California Gas, and the University of California Irvine, allowing hydrogen technologies to replace existing power production equipment. (Amount of award: $1,189,000)
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) will collaborate on a PEM electrolysis hydrogen production project that will focus on grid integration, variable operation with renewables, system size optimization, and modeling to investigate future hydrogen system scaling. (Amount of award: $1,157,219)
Applied Risk Assessment and Modeling for H2@Scale Applications is the second topic.
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Wabtec will conduct risk assessments on a hydrogen-powered locomotive and tender design, which will include fuelling, onboard storage, and hydrogen transfer from the tender vehicle to the locomotive. (The sum of the award is $525,000.)
To expedite the Port of Seattle and Seattle City Lights’ adoption of hydrogen for energy storage and port operations, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Seattle City Light, Port of Seattle, and SNL will conduct a large-scale hydrogen storage risk assessment. (Amount of award: $770,000)
To support TriMet’s planned deployment of hydrogen buses, PNNL, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet), and SNL will undertake a thorough set of risk assessments of the agency’s whole hydrogen system. (The sum of the award is $525,000.)
Topic 3: Sensor Technologies of the Future
In support of the Low-Carbon Resources Initiative, NREL, the National Energy Technology Laboratory, the Gas Technology Institute, EPRI, and Paulsson, Inc. will investigate developing hydrogen leak detection technologies for outdoor wide-area monitoring applications. (Amount of award: $1,000,000)
To increase safety, NREL, Renewable Innovations, Inc., Boyd Hydrogen LLC, and Element One, Inc. will use sophisticated sensor technologies to detect hydrogen leaks more reliably in indoor hydrogen infrastructure applications. (The sum of the award is $525,000.)
“I’m ecstatic to see the National Energy Technology Laboratory’s expertise being put to work on developing new, creative technologies that will enable the widespread deployment of clean hydrogen.” This major investment in research into new leak detection technology will help lower the cost of clean hydrogen and guarantee that it can be generated, transported, and utilized safely and effectively in a variety of hard-to-decarbonize industries. Senator Joe Manchin (R-WV), Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, stated, “As Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I will continue to push for creative energy solutions that are vital to charting a route to a cleaner energy future.”
Senator Shelley Capito (R-WV) stated, “It is critical for the United States to embrace an all-of-the-above strategy and make investments in a range of energy sources, including hydrogen.” “Today’s announcement is excellent news, as it will provide funds to promote and develop research into breakthrough sustainable energy solutions.”
Senator Michael F. Bennet stated, “Meeting our climate goals requires an all-of-the-above approach, which includes substantial investment in renewable energy innovation” (D-CO). “The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is leading the way in making hydrogen technology more cheap and accessible while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change.”
