New Report from AEIC Identifies Four Key Objectives to the Hydrogen Hubs Program’s Success
Washington, DC – Clean hydrogen is emerging as a critical technology for decarbonization. The Department of Energy’s new Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program aims to accelerate the industry’s development but must get buy-in from the private sector and local communities. A new report from a group of technology and energy executives offers specific recommendations to help DOE foster a collaborative relationship with industry that will maximize the program’s chances of success.
The American Energy Innovation Council’s report, High Hopes for Hydrogen Hubs, offers an industry-informed perspective on how the H2Hubs program can bring together clean hydrogen supply, demand, and infrastructure to decarbonize multiple sectors, produce economic benefits, and put the United States on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050.
“By planting the location pins for hub development, this program will help de-risk hydrogen projects and spur clean energy infrastructure development,” said Norm Augustine, AEIC co-chair and retired Lockheed Martin CEO. “But to deliver on the promise of hydrogen and reach commercial scale, the private sector needs the Energy Department to be a strong partner in guiding this industry’s development.”
With the help of AEIC’s experienced clean energy leaders, the paper details thirteen recommendations based on a set of four core objectives for the H2Hubs program:
- Drive innovation and investment in a range of technologies that allow for diverse modes of clean hydrogen production and utilization.
- Leverage synergies between clean hydrogen projects and other clean energy projects and align H2Hubs program goals with other decarbonization efforts.
- Support partnerships and community engagement practices that promote local buy-in for clean hydrogen projects.
- Manage projects from entry to exit in a manner that maximizes learning, both about technical issues and project management practices, to help scale clean hydrogen.
“These government-supported hydrogen hubs can be an amazing catalyst for new regional job growth and technology innovation,” said Chad Holliday, AEIC co-chair and former chairman of Royal Dutch Shell. “By making the right program design and project selection choices, the Energy Department can spur lasting economic opportunity within these communities well beyond the H2Hub’s program lifecycle.”
Successful implementation of the H2Hubs program is critical to set the United States on a path to meet DOE’s National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap target to produce 10 million metric tons of clean hydrogen annually by 2030.
If implemented, this report’s tangible recommendations will help DOE drive innovation and investment in a diverse set of technologies, synergize efforts and project objectives, promote local buy-in, and utilize knowledge sharing practices that are central to a hub’s success.