International
U.S. Energy Department funds new natural gas and hydrogen projects
The U.S. Department of Energy announced up to $51.5 million for new and innovative research of technologies for trucks, off-road vehicles, and the fuels that power them. Funded through the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), this FOA addresses priorities in gaseous fuels research, including natural gas and hydrogen; hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell technologies for heavy-duty applications; and energy efficient off-road vehicles.
“As the fastest growing fuel users, trucks offer an important opportunity to use innovation to improve energy productivity,” said Under Secretary of Energy Mark Menezes. “Through research and new developments in both energy efficiency and domestically-sourced fuel technologies, we can not only strengthen our energy security but also improve transportation affordability for our nation’s trucking industry – helping those who deliver American goods and those who use them.”
Concept papers for this funding opportunity are due March 29, and full applications will be due May 15. The topic areas include:
Gaseous Fuels Research and Technology Integration for Medium- and Heavy-duty Vehicles (up to $16.5 million) – This topic includes multiple sub-topics, including novel materials for high density gas storage and transport, advanced waste to energy technologies, and technology integration that focus on lowering the cost of and overcoming technical barriers to the use of medium- and heavy-duty natural gas and hydrogen fueled vehicles.
High Throughput Hydrogen Fueling Technologies for Medium- and Heavy-duty Transportation (up to $6 million) – Projects will develop technologies for fast-fill hydrogen storage and fueling components.
Moreover, the Department of Energy announced up to $31 million in funding to advance the H2@Scale concept. The focus of H2@Scale is to enable affordable and reliable large-scale hydrogen generation, transport, storage, and utilization in the United States across multiple sectors. “Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can unite our nation’s abundant energy resources,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.
Concept papers are due April 8, 2019 and full applications are due May 29, 2019. Topics include:
Advanced Hydrogen Storage and Infrastructure R&D (up to $9 million) including novel materials or hydrogen carriers for transporting and storing hydrogen, and materials for hydrogen infrastructure components.
Innovative Concepts for Hydrogen Production and Utilization (up to $12 million) including advanced water splitting materials, affordable domestic hydrogen production technologies, co-production of hydrogen for additional sources of revenue, and reversible fuel cell technologies.
H2@Scale Pilot – Integrated Production, Storage, and Fueling Systems (up to $10 million) including innovative approaches that successfully integrate and optimize the complete system encompassing hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and use.