USA

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

•  Funding Will Lower Production Costs and Establish a North American University Consortium to Help States and Tribes Pursue Grid Modernization.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $40 million in funding to advance the development and deployment of clean hydrogen technologies. To further decarbonize the grid, DOE is also launching a $20 million university research consortium to help states and Tribal communities successfully implement grid resilience programs and achieve decarbonization goals. By lowering the costs of clean hydrogen and leveraging industry investments in clean technologies, DOE is making significant strides towards President Biden’s goal of a net-zero carbon economy by 2050 that prioritizes historically disadvantaged communities.

Underground storage of hydrogen is a key research area associated with NETL’s overall contribution to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrogen Shot.

• The demonstration research project will produce hydrogen from renewable natural gas for fuel cell buses to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

LOS ANGELES — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced the official groundbreaking on construction of a first-of-its-kind advanced hydrogen generation system at SunLine Transit Agency in Thousand Palms, California. The project, called H2 SilverSTARS, will produce hydrogen from renewable natural gas (RNG) and help fuel SunLine’s fleet of 17 hydrogen fuel cell electric buses. At scale, this demonstration project has the potential to provide clean hydrogen at any location adjacent to a natural gas pipeline, which will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate California’s climate and clean air goals.

Hydrogen Utopia International PLC (AQSE:HUI, OTCQB:HUIPF), a company pioneering non-recyclable waste plastics to hydrogen technology, is delighted to announce that its first American investor roadshow will start on the 22nd of August and last a week.

• Accelerates design and development of hydrogen fuel cells for use in Phoenix vehicle and equipment lines.

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Phoenix Motor Inc. (Nasdaq: PEV) (“Company” or “Phoenix”), a leader in manufacturing of all-electric, medium-duty vehicles, announced the acquisition of hydrogen fuel cell manufacturing assets, including an automated, robotic fuel cell assembly line, from Altergy Systems (“Altergy”). Phoenix will utilize the manufacturing facility to design and produce hydrogen fuel cells to power forklifts, hybrid buses, vans and trucks, and long-range, heavy-duty trucks.

Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk advisor, today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind insurance and reinsurance facility that provides dedicated insurance capacity for new and existing green and blue hydrogen energy projects. Developed by Marsh in collaboration with insurers Liberty Specialty Markets, part of Liberty Mutual Insurance Group, and AIG, the facility provides up to US$300 million of cover per risk for the construction and start up phases of hydrogen projects globally.

• Jordan Ferguson joins H2scan as European Director and Jeff Donato joins H2scan as Director of Safety, Power Storage Systems.

VALENCIA, Calif. — H2scan, a world leader in providing sensors for hydrogen economy applications with electric utilities, energy and industrial markets, today announced it has hired Jordan Ferguson to direct the company’s expansion in Europe, as the company broadens its focus into the growing hydrogen economy. Additionally, the company has hired Jeff Donato, a proven expert in power industry battery and storage system safety. Donato will lead the expansion of H2scan’s impact in the power industry for hydrogen safety and reliability.