US unveils USD 750m in grants for electrolysis R&D projects

The US Department of Energy (DOE) has pledged to disburse USD 750 million (EUR 685.9m) in grant funding to projects across 24 states, seen to support the domestic production of electrolysers and critical equipment for the green hydrogen industry.

The funding will be made available to 52 projects seen to help advance electrolysis technologies and enhance the production of clean hydrogen systems and components, the government agency said on Wednesday. The initiative is also aligned with a goal for cutting the cost of producing clean hydrogen to USD 1 per kg.

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The selected projects represent a combined investment of USD 1.6 billion and fall in six areas of the hydrogen industry. Almost half of the total funding pot will go to back research and development (R&D) for the production of electrolysers, with the category allocating a total of USD 316 million to eight projects. The production of key electrolyser components will be supported with USD 81 million and USD 72 million is earmarked for innovations and advanced technologies in electrolyser manufacturing.

An additional USD 150 million will be spent on lowering the cost of fuel cells, while 10 projects dedicated to R&D related to the domestic supply chain for fuel cell materials and components will get USD 82 million in total. Some USD 50 million will go to research the recycling of critical materials used in hydrogen production.

“The projects announced today—funded by the President’s Investing in America agenda—will supercharge our progress and ensure our leadership in clean hydrogen will be felt across the nation for generations to come,” said  Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.915)