DOE opens $7B hydrogen hub funding opportunity, issues draft production standard

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Energy is now accepting applications for $7 billion in funding to develop at least a half dozen regional clean hydrogen hubs across the country. Alongside the funding opportunity announcement, the agency issued guidance for a draft production standard for qualifying clean hydrogen projects. DOE's hydrogen hub program calls for the development of six to 10 hubs funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Additional funding opportunities "May follow to accelerate and expand the network of clean hydrogen projects," the agency said. The funding opportunity is part of a larger $8 billion investment the federal government is making to develop hydrogen hubs. DOE also released draft guidance for a clean hydrogen production standard, setting a target of 4 kg CO2e per kgH2 for lifecycle greenhouse emissions associated with hydrogen production. The production standard is not a regulatory standard, DOE said in its proposal, and the agency "May not necessarily require future funded activities to achieve the standard." Hydrogen hubs funded by the infrastructure law will need to show they can achieve that standard.