After the monumental $8 billion Hydrogen Hubs program was included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, it was safe to say that the entire world, not just the U.S. and potential winners, were anxiously awaiting the results.  In October 2023, the first seven Hydrogen Hub projects were announced.

The seven Hub winners chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) include 16 states and are projected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the regions they represent. They were selected to showcase different hydrogen production pathways, as well as how that hydrogen will be utilized, in markets such as heavy-duty vehicles, fuel production, power generation, and industrial decarbonization.  Collectively, these efforts are expected to produce approximately 3 million metric tons of hydrogen a year and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 25 million metric tons a year.  It is also anticipated that this investment by the DOE will lead to more than $40 billion in private sector cost share and investment.

In July 2024, the first tranches of funding came from DOE’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) for three selectees to begin their outlined Phase 1 efforts.

ARCHES

The first announcement was on July 17, $30 million to the California Hydrogen Hub, led by the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) that will be used to build out a network of clean hydrogen production sites that incorporate multiple facilities at three large California ports.

According to an ARCHES factsheet, the hydrogen generated will power more than 200 cargo-handling vehicles and equipment; 5,000 heavy-duty fuel cell trucks; 1,000+ fuel cell buses; and a marine vessel; as well as provide stationary power to fuel cells and turbines.  Additionally, there are plans to develop 60 heavy-duty fueling stations, approximately 165 miles of open-access pipelines, and hydrogen liquefaction capabilities.