DOE to Launch Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Funding for Decarbonization
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) has announced its intention to issue a funding opportunity for Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies.
What is the Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Funding Opportunity?
This funding will focus on research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) projects to advance clean hydrogen technologies and drive the nation’s decarbonization efforts, particularly in hard-to-decarbonize sectors such as heavy-duty transportation and industrial applications.
What is the Purpose of the Fund?
The goal of this funding opportunity is to support the scaling of hydrogen infrastructure and increase the adoption of clean hydrogen across various sectors. This includes supporting the Biden Administration's carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 and net-zero emissions by 2050 targets. Projects will focus on reducing the cost of clean hydrogen production, improving hydrogen storage, and developing fuel cell technologies, particularly for heavy-duty transportation applications. This aligns with the DOE's Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) program and the Hydrogen Shot initiative, which aims to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen to $1 per kilogram within a decade.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
While specific eligibility details will be provided in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), potential applicants may include institutions of higher education, industry partners, state energy offices, national laboratories, and other stakeholders with expertise in hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.
What Project Activities are Eligible for Grant Funding?
The anticipated areas of interest under the upcoming NOFO include:
- Photoelectrochemical (PEC) Water Splitting Device Scale-Up: Developing scalable PEC devices for hydrogen production using sunlight.
- High-Performance Materials for Hydrogen Service: Advancing materials for hydrogen storage and transportation infrastructure, including cryogenic and high-pressure conditions.
- Sustainable Proton Exchange Membranes for Heavy-Duty Applications: Developing high-temperature, durable membranes for fuel cell systems.
- Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus Development: Demonstrating long-range hydrogen fuel cell motorcoach buses for heavy-duty transportation.
What are Allowable Costs for the Fund?
Allowable costs are expected to include RD&D activities, pilot-scale demonstrations, material development, and system integration. Specific cost categories will be detailed in the NOFO.
What is the Funding Availability for this Program?
The funding amount and number of awards will be specified when the NOFO is released. However, this initiative is part of broader DOE efforts to support clean hydrogen technologies and may include substantial federal funding.
What is the Grant Timeline?
- Expected NOFO Release Date: October 2024
- Concept Papers and Full Application Deadline: To be announced with the NOFO
The full Notice of Intent (NOI) is available here.
For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764