Granholm plans hydrogen hub talks in fall
On Thursday, US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm gave legislators assurances that the US Department of Energy (DOE) hopes to start talks with a few chosen businesses and states seeking funding to construct hydrogen centres in the US by the fall.
The DOE said last year that it has allocated $7 billion in funding for six to ten regional hydrogen centres, with full submissions due the following month. But, the agency is now holding back at least $1 billion in additional cash for projects in the future.
The DOE got a flood of concept papers from eager candidates, but only 33 were asked to submit official applications, and 46 others were turned down. For instance, the state of Oklahoma is working with Louisiana and Arkansas on a proposal for a regional initiative.
By 2026, the DOE must support at least four hydrogen hubs according to the infrastructure bill. The law also mandates “feedstock diversification,” which means that at least one hub must show that clean hydrogen can be produced from fossil fuels, renewable energy sources, and nuclear energy.
Nxtra envisions hydrogen-ready fuel cell data centres
In order to lessen its carbon footprint and dependence on non-renewable energy sources, the well-known colocation data centre Nxtra by Airtel is now testing the usage of fuel cells.
Now, 10% of Nxtra’s Bangalore data centre is powered by fuel cells that are prepared for hydrogen. The company now powers these fuel cells with CNG, or compressed natural gas. These fuel cells will operate on hydrogen in the future, eliminating carbon emissions.
The corporation claims that switching from diesel-based generators to fuel cells needs a large investment and will raise operating costs. However, the business is optimistic that these new technologies will eventually become more widely available, and Nxtra is currently placing a bet on it.
Belgium to host initial fleet of BMW iX5 hydrogen vehicles
The initial fleet of BMW iX5 Hydrogen vehicles will be based in Belgium.
A 401 horsepower (295 kW) electric motor powers the SUV’s rear wheels. Moreover, it is mounted at the back of the car. Under the bonnet is a 125 kW fuel cell. One of the two tanks was able to fit into the transmission tunnel, and the smaller of the two tanks is now under the back seat. G
The iX5 Hydrogen can hold 6 kg of H2 at 700 bars in total. The battery’s output is 170 kW when powered by cell and (some) regeneration. Before the most recent restyling, the X5’s design and layout are still present.
Southern Gas Networks plans further hydrogen network development
Further studies on the routes and the layout of the infrastructure for hydrogen transmission are being planned by Southern Gas Networks (SGN) throughout southern England and Scotland.
In addition to examining how the current petrol networks can support the growth of the “Scottish cluster” in the north and the “Solent cluster” in the south, the three pre-FEED (Front End Engineering Design) studies, which will be conducted over the next 12 months, are also intended to examine the likely cost and timeframes of any new infrastructure required.
The National Gas Transmission-operated national transmission system will be connected to the three projects.
With the help of existing pipeline assets that will be converted gradually to transport 100% hydrogen and connect production and storage facilities with end customers, National Gas Transmission’s Project Union aims to build a 2,000 km (1.225 mi) long hydrogen backbone in the United Kingdom.
Hydrologiq adds technical operations manager
With the first recruitment of 2023, Hydrologiq expands its core staff and capabilities. With Stuart Blackburn as Technical Operations Manager, the expanding start-up gains specialised knowledge of petrol systems and greater deployment capability.
There is a clear need to add a technical operations manager to the core team as Hydrologiq begins to develop its proprietary hardware, concentrates on optimising future hydrogen generator deployments, and creates a shopping list of other technical things.
Stuart Blackburn has been named as Hydrologiq’s new Technical Operations Manager following a highly competitive hiring process. Stuart has left Thermo Fisher Scientific and is joining the Hydrologiq team.
SunHydrogen shares progress on nanoparticle-based green hydrogen technology
SunHydrogen CEO Tim Young updated shareholders. SunHydrogen’s largest nanoparticle-based green hydrogen technology splits water molecules into high-purity green hydrogen and oxygen using solar energy in February 2023.
This 1.5-square-foot panel contains 16 hydrogen producers, light absorbers, catalysts, membranes, gas collection, and liquid delivery.
SunHydrogen panel is the only self-contained nanoparticle-based hydrogen generating technology that splits water molecules into high-purity green hydrogen and oxygen using solar radiation. Our scalable system design, low-cost, abundant materials, and flexibility to use water of various purities distinguish us from conventional electrolyzer systems.
The team is working to improve the panel’s hydrogen production rate, durability, and cost per kilogramme. We are working to improve our hydrogen panel’s design and internal components to give the most cost green hydrogen solution.
The scientific team is also collaborating with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the University of Iowa to integrate cutting-edge, low-cost semiconductors into our nanoparticle-based system to boost the power conversion efficiency of our hydrogen panels.
The company also works with Corning Laser Technologies GmbH and Geomatec to reduce voltage loss between the anode and cathode catalysts, improving power conversion efficiency.
Finally, we are collaborating with the Singh Lab at the University of Michigan to improve catalyst and membrane integration. Our catalyst will last longer, lowering hydrogen generation costs.
Allgäu and Lake Constance region work on hydrogen development
In terms of hydrogen, the Allgäu and the Lake Constance region hope to set an example. The “HyAllgäu-Bodensee” model project looked into the potential and possible applications of hydrogen.
Four hydrogen-powered buses could start operating in the Lindau district’s Lindenberg as early as 2024. A freight forwarder in Biessenhofen, Ostallgäu, plans to deploy hydrogen trucks shortly. One can envision switching numerous ships to hydrogen propulsion for Lake Constance cargo. In the area, four hydrogen projects will be immediately implemented. In the long run, there might be a lot more.
Four hydrogen filling stations are initially planned to be constructed between Ostallgäu and Lake Constance for the provision of hydrogen, for instance on the B12 between Biessenhofen and the A96 in Lindau. The green hydrogen should preferably be produced locally, perhaps nearby Buchloe using solar or wind energy.
As the largest hydrogen region in southern Germany, the Allgäu and the Lake Constance region may then contribute to energy security and climate protection.
HRS gets new contracts for refueling stations
For HRS, the year is off to a strong start ( Hydrogen Refueling Solutions ). The company from Grenoble (Isère), which had two contracts inked in January and February, has lately disclosed a fresh order from Hympulsion.
In collaboration with banks and manufacturers, the latter is the public-private entity in charge of implementing the Zero Emission Valley (ZEV) initiative in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes area for the establishment of the hydrogen industry there.
Being a component of ZEV, HRS already opened a first station in Saint-Priest, in the Rhône, in November 2022. At 40 kg every hour, or one tonne per day, the two new stations have a capacity that is three times more than the capacity of the previous two. The “list” price of only one of these products is between 2.5 and 3 million euros, assuming that the contract’s dollar number has not been made public.
Former NATO ammunition depot could become hydrogen plant
On the location of the former NATO ammunition storage facility in the Grafrather Forest, towards Jesenwang, hydrogen could be produced.
At the request of the greens in the local council, the expansion of renewable energies was also incorporated into the proposal. It also pertains to the municipality’s energy independence.
Private initiatives are already promoting photovoltaics: According to reports, Max Riepl-Bauer, a farmer near Mauer and a member of the CSU local council, wants to install an open-air system there.
PSdeG asks Xunta to expand public participation to green hydrogen and storage projects
Valentn González Formoso, general secretary of the PSdeG, has “welcomed” the “turn” in the Xunta’s energy policy with the creation of a public company to participate in energy projects, but requests that it not be limited to parks wind farms and be extended to storage systems, biomass, and green hydrogen projects.
In a press conference held this Wednesday in Santiago de Compostela following the Galician Government’s announcement that the Xunta will participate in wind projects installed in Galicia, Formoso called the administration’s involvement “essential.”
Furthermore, he recalled that his formation was already proposed through the “historic” Wind Pact signed with various union and rural organisations and that he himself transferred to President Alfonso Rueda at the meeting in San Caetano.
