The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the allocation of $47.7 million in funding for 16 research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects that aim to advance clean hydrogen technologies. These projects, managed by DOE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, will be conducted across 13 states and will contribute to efforts to reduce the production cost of clean hydrogen.
Some of the initiatives that will receive funding include the University of Hawaii's development of robust fuel cells for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty trucks, the Colorado School of Mines' focus on capturing lost hydrogen during liquid transfers, and GE Research's design of composite tanks for liquid hydrogen transport in heavy-duty trucks and aircraft.
The University of Southern California, Los Alamos and Brookhaven National Laboratories, and Louisiana State University are also among the recipients of funding for their projects related to efficient hydrogen transport chemicals and cost-effective hydrogen storage methods.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the importance of making next-generation climate technologies cost-competitive. She stated that the funding announcement will help accelerate efforts to advance clean hydrogen, providing the nation with another tool to clean up energy-intensive sectors and revitalize American manufacturing.
These RD&D efforts are focused on fuel cell applications, particularly for heavy-duty trucks, in order to reduce CO2 emissions and eliminate harmful tailpipe emissions. The projects collectively contribute to driving forward clean hydrogen technology in line with sustainability and emissions reduction goals.