The Energy Department today announced up to $4 million in new funding to address critical challenges and barriers to advanced hydrogen delivery technology development. These investments are helping to reduce the nation's reliance on gasoline and diversify our nation's energy portfolio while reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

The new funding opportunity solicits projects focused on innovative hydrogen delivery materials, components, and systems needed to establish the technical and cost feasibility for renewable and low carbon hydrogen delivery. The long-term goal of production and delivery research and development is a high-volume hydrogen cost of $2–$4 per gallon gasoline equivalent (gge) (delivered and dispensed, but untaxed) to allow fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to be competitive on a dollar per mile basis with gasoline in hybrid electric vehicles. More specifically, the portion of the cost goal apportioned to delivery is <$2/gge hydrogen. Selected projects will represent a wide range of hydrogen delivery research and development projects. Topic areas include:

  • Forecourt compressors for 700 bar gaseous hydrogen dispensing: Projects selected under this topic will support the development of gaseous and liquid compression systems for the delivery of gaseous hydrogen at a minimum pressure of 875 bar to allow for 700 bar gaseous dispensing.
  • Integrated intelligent hydrogen dispensers for 700 bar gaseous refueling of fuel cell electric vehicles: Projects selected under this topic will support the development of the next generation of integrated intelligent hydrogen dispensers for 700 bar refueling.
  • Forecourt hydrogen storage at 875 bar or greater: Projects selected under this topic will support the development of low-cost, high-pressure hydrogen storage options for use at the hydrogen refueling station (forecourt) which are projected to meet a cost target of <$1,000/kg hydrogen stored at pressures of 875 bar. 

The Energy Department will make available up to $4 million for projects from industry, academia, and national labs. Any additional funds are subject to appropriation. Concept papers are due December 9, 2013, and full applications are due February 14, 2014. More information, application requirements, and instructions can be found on the EERE Funding Opportunity Exchange website.