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SoCalGas and National Grid both said it would help if states adopt renewable fuel standards that would require utilities to buy a certain amount of renewable gas to encourage energy firms to produce more of it.

“Hydrogen is essential to decarbonize sectors that cannot be electrified, like aviation, maritime, and high-heat manufacturing and should therefore be prioritized for these sectors,” said Remi Eriksen, Group President and CEO of DNV. “Policies do not match hydrogen’s importance. They will also need to support the scaling of renewable energy generation and carbon capture and storage as crucial elements in producing low-carbon hydrogen.”

South Korean companies including conglomerate SK, Hyundai Motor and steel major Posco announced last year that they would spend a combined 23 trillion won ($18.2 billion) on hydrogen ambitions, but they face competition.

• Bosch to put first sector-coupled hydrogen cycle into operation at its Industry 4.0 lead plant in Homburg.
• In partnership with Maximator Hydrogen, Bosch Rexroth to set up 4,000 hydrogen filling stations worldwide by 2030.
• Bosch to equip pilot customer Telekom with stationary fuel cells.
• Bosch wants to develop components for electrolyzers that produce hydrogen.
• Bosch to set up project unit to make hydrogen-related activities ready for volume production.
• Hannover Messe: Bosch to present technology for industrial-scale hydrogen applications.

President Biden today issued presidential determinations providing the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with the authority to utilize the Defense Production Act (DPA) to accelerate domestic production of five key energy technologies: (1) solar; (2) transformers and electric grid components; (3) heat pumps; (4) insulation; and (5) electrolyzers, fuel cells, and platinum group metals. The DPA determinations are part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to lower energy costs for families, strengthen national security, and achieve lasting American energy independence that reduces demand for fossil fuels and bolsters our clean energy economy.

Demand for clean energy technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps, and electrolyzers for hydrogen has increased significantly as the costs of these technologies have plummeted over the last decade. As the world transitions to a clean energy economy, global demand for these essential products and components is set to skyrocket by 400-600% over the next several decades. Unless the U.S. expands new manufacturing, processing, and installation capacity, we will be forced to continue to rely on clean energy imports—exposing the nation to supply chain vulnerabilities, while simultaneously missing out on the enormous job opportunities associated with the energy transition. 

Technologies Included in the President’s DPA Announcement
DPA authority, with the necessary funding appropriated by Congress, will allow the federal government to invest in companies that can build clean energy facilities, expand clean energy manufacturing, process clean energy components, and install clean energy technologies for consumers.

Electrolyzers, Fuel Cells, and Platinum Group Metals — Electrolyzers, fuel cells, and platinum group metal (PGM) catalysts are vital for increasing domestic production and utilization of clean hydrogen, a versatile energy carrier. Clean hydrogen produced through electrolysis is projected to contribute significantly to achieving U.S. decarbonization goals. President Biden’s actions supporting domestic supply chains for electrolyzers, fuel cells, and PGM catalysts will enhance national and energy security by reducing U.S. reliance on imported fossil fuels, particularly Russia (the world’s second-largest producer of PGMs) and China. Consumers will benefit from clean hydrogen’s price stability relative to fossil fuels, cost reductions as the hydrogen economy scales up, and resilient domestic supply chains.

Similarly, during the recent World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam, Daryl Wilson, Executive Director of the CEO-led Hydrogen Council, stated that "the pipeline of hydrogen projects globally exceeds 500 projects valued at more than $500bn of investment. In Europe there are 328 projects, yet barely more than 5% have made final investment decision. Crossing the investment decision line requires the confidence that policy will support both demand and supply for the investment horizon of several decades. The public and private sectors need to come together and establish the conditions to take this critical step urgently."

The North Las Vegas facility will produce 30 tons of liquid hydrogen per day and will be powered by renewable electricity, according to the release.

The facility can also use renewable natural gas to meet the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard and provide enough hydrogen for over 40,000 fuel-cell vehicles in that state.

Air Liquide's $250 million investment in the U.S. hydrogen market has created jobs for 700 contractors and 25 people full-time with the plant at full capacity, the company said.