Hitachi Energy has joined forces with the US Department of Energy’s ‘H2@Scale in Texas and Beyond’ project. Partnering with GTI Energy, Frontier Energy, The University of Texas at Austin, and other industry leaders, Hitachi Energy brings its top-notch expertise in integrating large-scale renewable energy sources with power grids.
The H2@Scale Project
The H2@Scale project focuses on various hydrogen production methods, including a vehicle refueling station and a fleet of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Most of the activities are based at the University of Texas JJ Pickle Research Center in Austin. This project aims to explore how efficiently and cost-effectively hydrogen can be produced from renewable resources. It’s one of the largest collections of renewable hydrogen production, storage, and end-use technologies at a single site, paving the way for hydrogen to help Texas decarbonize.
The Importance of Clean Hydrogen
Clean hydrogen is crucial for reducing emissions in tough-to-decarbonize sectors like metals, fertilizers, chemicals, and oil and gas. It’s also useful for providing clean energy to remote construction sites and backup power where needed. Producing clean hydrogen requires a lot of energy, with electricity playing a central role.
Hitachi Energy’s Role
Hitachi Energy is involved in every stage of the hydrogen value chain. From the early planning and design phases to ensuring compliance and managing power systems, the company offers comprehensive solutions. With over 10 manufacturing sites in North America and R&D centers in Raleigh, NC, and Montreal, QC, Hitachi Energy is a global leader in power grids.
Hands-On Contribution
Hitachi Energy experts will be hands-on in operating demonstration equipment, installing monitoring devices, and developing procedures and applications to optimize the demonstration site’s system. This collaboration will help gather important data on power quality and system design, which will be crucial for future large-scale hydrogen plants.
Future Plans
The project teams will conduct studies to explore scaling up hydrogen production and use. They aim to develop a strategic plan for the H2@Scale project in the Port of Houston and the Gulf Coast region. The teams will also look at how existing hydrogen pipelines, potential users, and industrial infrastructure can be leveraged to maximize the environmental and economic benefits of hydrogen in the area.
This initiative by Hitachi Energy and its partners marks a significant step towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, showcasing the potential of renewable hydrogen in decarbonizing industries and providing clean energy solutions.