(Invited) Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Enabled through the U.S. Department of Energy

Today the technology around generating efficient and sustainable energy is rapidly evolving and hydrogen and fuel cells are emerging, versatile examples within a portfolio of options. Through the dedication and contributions of numerous researchers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) in collaboration with the private sector, hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are now a commercial reality. This presentation will cover the history of DOE’s efforts along with examples of breakthroughs by leading contributors in electrochemistry. This is an exciting time in the fuel cell industry with over ten thousand commercial fuel cell vehicles sold or leased, hundreds of fueling stations worldwide, and more than a quarter of a million stationary fuel cells providing clean, reliable power. DOE’s Fuel Cell Technologies Office (FCTO) within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) addresses key technical barriers faced by hydrogen and fuel cells through a comprehensive portfolio of early-stage research and development (R&D) with the potential to meet technical and cost targets that enable competitiveness with incumbent technologies in the market, aligned with national priorities. The presentation will cover technology status versus targets as well as an overview of the global landscape in hydrogen and fuel cells. International government collaborations through partnerships such as the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) are contributing to progress and can enable large-scale deployment worldwide. The talk will cover the broad context of hydrogen within the energy system – the DOE’s H2@Scale initiative which will enable innovations to generate cost-competitive hydrogen as an energy carrier, coupling renewables, as well as baseload power generation, enhancing resiliency and avoiding curtailment. Hydrogen can be stored, distributed and used as a fuel or feedstock in transportation, stationary or back-up power and multiple industrial sectors, while creating an additional revenue stream for existing baseload and variable generation assets. The presentation will also provide an overview of national and regional efforts within the United States related to hydrogen and fuel cells and potential opportunities within the region.