On November 21, 2024, the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) signed a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under its Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. This agreement marks the beginning of Phase 1 of the project, which has received $22.2 million in federal funding. The initial phase is set to last between 12 to 18 months and will focus on planning and community engagement [a5ad968a].
MachH2 aims to produce over 1,000 metric tons of clean hydrogen per day, contributing significantly to the United States' clean energy goals. The initiative is part of the H2Hubs Program established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated up to $7 billion for clean hydrogen initiatives across the country [a5ad968a].
In a related development, the U.S. has recently discovered 110,000 tons of hydrogen, raising concerns about the methods of extraction. The Mississippi Clean Hydrogen Hub, led by Hy Stor Energy, is among the key players aiming to secure federal funding for hydrogen production. They submitted their application in April 2024 and are the 22nd confirmed hub applicant [c524137d].
The Mississippi hub plans to produce 150 metric tons of clean hydrogen daily by 2030, utilizing underground salt domes for storage. Hy Stor is currently constructing caverns capable of holding 30,000 metric tons of hydrogen. However, the project faces challenges, including a terminated deal with Nel, high production costs, and unclear tax credits [c524137d].
The initiative has garnered support from key political figures, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. They have emphasized the potential for job creation and environmental benefits, with MachH2 anticipating the generation of approximately 12,000 jobs and promoting equitable energy distribution in the Midwest [a5ad968a].
This development aligns with other significant advancements in the hydrogen sector, such as the Mississippi Clean Hydrogen Hub (MCHH), which is set to become the largest emission-free hydrogen generation plant in the U.S. The MCHH aims to utilize renewable energy sources for hydrogen production and storage, further enhancing the country's clean energy landscape [13dc377f].
Additionally, the U.S. Department of Defense is exploring hydrogen fuel cell microgrids, as seen in a project at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii. This initiative aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of solar-hydrogen storage in enhancing operational energy resilience [013a3c8e].
While the hydrogen sector shows promise, challenges remain, particularly regarding the high costs associated with hydrogen production and infrastructure. RenewEconomy highlights that despite hydrogen's potential to decarbonize specific industries, the most effective way to reduce emissions remains through green electricity [ebee282c].
As the market for low-carbon hydrogen evolves, accurate certification of carbon intensity will be crucial. Wood Mackenzie stresses the importance of understanding the carbon footprint of hydrogen production processes to ensure compliance with future regulations and incentives [d019b651].
In summary, the cooperative agreement between MachH2 and the DOE represents a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions in the Midwest, while the recent hydrogen discovery in Mississippi adds another layer of complexity and opportunity to the national hydrogen strategy [c8d68b9f][c524137d].