A “first-of-its-kind” hydrogen proto-hub has been opened by Frontier Energy, GTI Energy and the Centre for Electromechanics at the University of Texas in Austin.
As part of the Demonstration and Framework for H2@Scale in Texas and Beyond project, the hydrogen research and demonstration facility has been designed to foster innovation in the production and deployment of low-carbon hydrogen.
The partners involved in fulfilling the initiative included Air Liquide, Chart Industries, Shell, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Chevron amongst others.
H2 View understands it will generate hydrogen using electrolysis powered by solar and wind energy, along with steam methane reformation of renewable natural gas from a Texas landfill.
The hydrogen will power a stationary fuel cell to provide reliable energy for the Texas Advanced Computing Centre and supply power to a fleet of Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and fuel cell-powered drones.
The H2@Scale project is backed by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, created to develop and demonstrate paths to renewable hydrogen as a cost-effective fuel. The facility in Texas will serve as both an academic research centre and a model for future large-scale hydrogen deployments.
A recent study released as part of the project highlighted Texas’ strong position for clean hydrogen production, due to its existing infrastructure and abundant wind and solar resources.
The report read, “New hydrogen projects can leverage existing hydrogen pipelines and facilities while offsetting existing carbon-intensive demand, particularly in sectors such as heavy-duty transportation, industry and oil/chemical refining, with clean hydrogen from new production.”
Paula Grant, President and CEO at GTI Energy said, “Through public-private partnerships enabled by H2@Scale, DOE continues to build as an accelerator for the collaborative early-stage research, development and demonstrations needed for effective energy system transitions.”
Michael Lewis, Research Scientist at UT Austin Centre for Electromechanics, explained that the facility will “provide the educated workforce and engineering data needed for success.”
He added, “Beyond the current project, the hydrogen research facility is well-positioned for growth and impact in the emerging clean hydrogen industry.”
Participants of the DOE-funded HyVelocity Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub will gain valuable insights from the H2@Scale project and “inform the development of a comprehensive hydrogen network across the region.”
Read more: US DOE selects seven hydrogen hubs for $7bn funding
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