The Heartland Hydrogen Hub plans to use renewable energy and nuclear power to produce hydrogen
It will use renewable energy and nuclear energy to produce hydrogen
Grand Forks, ND The US Department of Energy has selected the Heartland Hydrogen Center (HH2H) to advance a regional clean energy project. Negotiations are currently underway to obtain financing of up to $925 million. HH2H is a collaborative initiative that will produce low-carbon hydrogen, decarbonize regional supply chains, and create clean energy jobs throughout Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
The University of North Dakota Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC), Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC), TC Energy, and Xcel Energy are leading the development of the HH2H. MPC and TC Energy are working with the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas to establish their meaningful participation in the initiative.
“We thank the Department of Energy for recognizing the Heartland Hydrogen Hub’s commitment to the federal government’s goals for clean hydrogen,” said Charles Gorecki, CEO at EERC. “We look forward to developing the ‘all of the above’ approach that hydrogen energy conversion enables.”
HH2H aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by integrating technologically diverse clean hydrogen projects. The use of various energy sources will provide clean hydrogen to multiple end-use markets, including industrial processes, ammonia and urea fertilizer production, natural gas blending for power generation and existing local distribution facilities. In addition to boosting the clean hydrogen market, HH2H will help reduce carbon emissions — by more than 1 million metric tons annually — from multiple sectors in the region, such as agriculture and industrial manufacturing.
“Clean fuels are critical to enabling economy-wide decarbonization. The Heartland Hydrogen Hub is a game-changing initiative that demonstrates how we are accelerating the development of next-generation clean energy technology,” said Bob Frenzel, Chairman, President and CEO of Xcel Energy. “With significant benefits to our customers and the environment.” “The strong partnership with our states in the Upper Midwest and other energy providers demonstrates our commitment to increasing economic impact while achieving our customers’ carbon reduction goals.”
HH2H collaborated with communities, tribes, and other stakeholders to identify strategies and programs to promote shared prosperity in the project area. This work contributes to the federal government’s Equity Goal 40, which aims to ensure that 40% of the total benefits of federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.
“As we continue to challenge ourselves to lead in sustainable energy, we are excited about the possibilities opened up by the Heartland Hydrogen Hub financing,” said Dave Hebner, senior vice president of strategy and business development at MPC. “We are confident that the future of the sustainable energy industry in this region is bright.”
“We are committed to being a leader in providing reliable, low-carbon energy solutions to our customers across North America,” said Omar Khayyum, TC Energy, vice president of energy creation and development. “This award from the Heartland Hydrogen Center provides our partner group with validation that hydrogen is an important component of a low-carbon energy future.”
The Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) will launch a national network of clean hydrogen producers and consumers and connected infrastructure while supporting the production, storage, delivery, and end-use of clean hydrogen. Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, H2Hubs will accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen – helping to generate clean, dispatchable energy; creating a new form of energy storage; and decarbonisation of heavy industry and transport. Together, they will also work to reduce 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from end-uses each year and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the country while supporting healthier communities and strengthening America’s energy security.
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About the Center for Energy and Environmental Research
The Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) is a world leader in developing cleaner, more efficient energy to power the world and environmental technologies to protect and clean air, water and soil.
About Marathon Petroleum Company
Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) is a leading integrated energy company headquartered in Findlay, Ohio. The company operates the largest refining system in the country. MPC’s marketing system includes branded locations throughout the United States, including Marathon branded retail outlets. MPC also owns the general partner and limited majority interest in MPLX LP, a mid-market company that owns and operates gathering, processing and retail assets, as well as crude oil and light product transportation and logistics infrastructure.
About TC Energy
TC Energy is a major North American energy company, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, that develops and operates energy infrastructure in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The company operates three core businesses: natural gas pipelines, liquids pipelines, and energy solutions. Energy Solutions aims to leverage the size and scale of our energy grid and trading platform to be the most reliable and dependable source of low-carbon energy for the industrial, oil and natural gas sectors in North America.
About Excel Energy
Xcel Energy is a major American electric and natural gas company with operations in eight western and midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive range of energy-related products and services to 3.7 million electric customers and 2.1 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. The company’s headquarters are located in Minneapolis.
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contact information: eercinfo@undeerc.org
