On January 27, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced its intent to invest up to $47 million in funding for clean hydrogen research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) as part of its “Hydrogen Shot” – a program intended to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogram in the coming decade by reducing costs and improving the performance of hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen Shot is also part of the Biden administration’s strategy to decarbonize the electric grid entirely by 2035 and to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Applicants can pursue funding by submitting an initial “concept paper” by February 24, 2023, and a “full application” by April 28, 2023. DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) will thereafter direct funding toward key hydrogen delivery and storage technologies through 2 to 4-year cooperative agreements. Emphasis is expected to be placed on applications that involve heavy-duty trucks, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and eliminate tailpipe emissions.

This investment in clean hydrogen technologies represents a clear step forward in developing the clean hydrogen industry. Applicants can use this new funding to reduce RD&D costs, improve clean hydrogen technologies, and accelerate the decarbonization of industrial, chemical, and transportation processes.

For more information, please contact our firm’s clean hydrogen team: Andrew Eastman, Michael Blackwell and Miguel Suazo.