The Energy Department has selected three projects to receive up to $2 million in new funding for analysis of the hydrogen and fuel cells domestic supply chain and manufacturing competitiveness. Funded in part by the Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative, this funding opportunity supports the Department's broader effort to boost U.S. competitiveness in the manufacturing sector.
The projects selected will support activities that facilitate the development and expansion of the domestic supply chain of components and systems necessary for the manufacturing and scale-up of hydrogen and fuel cell systems in the United States. Awardees will also conduct competitive analysis of global hydrogen and fuel cell manufacturing aimed at quantifying trade patterns and identifying key drivers of U.S. competitiveness. Developing a robust supply chain to support mass production of these systems can enable the market for these technologies to grow.
Selections include the following three projects:
- Westside Industrial Retention & Expansion Network's GLWN of Cleveland, Ohio, will receive $695,000 to complete detailed manufacturing analysis of fuel cell systems (automotive and stationary), high pressure hydrogen storage systems, and key high value hydrogen and fuel cell subsystems and components. The analysis will span systems and components manufactured in the United States, Europe, and Asia to determine the global cost leaders, best current manufacturing processes, key factors determining competitiveness, and potential means of cost reduction. During this project, GLWN will be required to work closely with NREL to ensure that their analysis is aligned with prior competitive analyses previously conducted in other renewable energy sectors (e.g., solar, photovoltaic, wind, and electric vehicle battery technologies).
- Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University of Harrisonburg, Virginia, will receive $450,000 to develop a nationwide Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Opportunity Center consisting of an innovative internet-based resource to grow the domestic fuel cell and hydrogen industry. The project will include the development of a communications database that features a comprehensive national supplier list and identifies new suppliers and encourages them to become engaged in the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. The database will allow for the release and maintenance of a directory tool for public interaction with the data.
- Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition (OFCC) of Elyria, Ohio, will receive $450,000 to develop a robust supply chain for fuel cell and hydrogen systems that will accelerate mass production, reduce cost, and improve performance and durability. They plan to establish an integrated network of four Regional Technical Exchange Centers to increase communication between OEMs and hydrogen and fuel cell component suppliers and to establish a nationwide, web-accessible database containing inputs from suppliers and OEMs along with a supplier contact list. OFCC will also assemble a working group to tackle component and subsystem standardization.
The Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy accelerates development and deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality. Learn more about the Energy Department's broader efforts to develop affordable, efficient fuel cell and hydrogen technologies on EERE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cells page.