The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced a notice of intent (DE-FOA-0003212) for potential funding to accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) of affordable clean-hydrogen technologies. This potential funding will reduce the cost and improve the performance of critical elements of hydrogen infrastructure, while streamlining and improving processes essential to the efficient, timely, and equitable deployment of clean hydrogen technologies.

DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) would administer the potential funding, which is expected to focus on advancing fueling infrastructure for heavy-duty (HD) vehicles and other HD transportation applications; addressing key challenges to siting, permitting, and installation; and improving community engagement and outreach to ensure equitable deployment of clean hydrogen systems.

By improving key technologies, spurring deployment, and helping industry achieve economies of scale, funded activities would support and reinforce the long-term viability of DOE’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) and other commercial-scale hydrogen projects.

Potential topic areas include:

• Components for Hydrogen Fueling of Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles to develop advanced components for gaseous and/or liquid hydrogen dispensing;

• Standardized Hydrogen Refueling Station of the Future to develop and demonstrate a low-cost, standardized, and replicable hydrogen fueling station that reduces operating and capital cost and offers scalability and hydrogen fuel flexibility (e.g., gaseous vs liquid);

• Enabling Permitting and Safety for Hydrogen Deployment to identify and address the primary challenges to siting, permitting, and installation across the value chain from hydrogen production through end-uses; and

• Equitable Hydrogen Technology Community Engagement to design and implement activities focused on understanding the concerns of communities and providing education on hydrogen technologies.

For all topic areas, HFTO envisions awarding financial assistance awards in the form of cooperative agreements with periods of performance ranging from approximately two to four years and DOE encourages applicant teams that include stakeholders within academia, industry, and national laboratories across multiple technical disciplines. Teams are also encouraged to include representation from diverse entities such as minority-serving institutions.

DOE plans to issue the FOA before or in January 2024.