Missed the last issue of Currents? Click here to view it in your web browser! | | FuelCell Energy Announces Partnership to Form Acquisition and Development Company for Off-Grid Data Center Power Projects | | |
On March 10, FuelCell Energy, Diversified Energy, and TESIAC announced a strategic partnership intended to supply as much as 360 megawatts of electricity to data centers in three locations in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
The partnership has agreed to create an Acquisition and Development Company (ADC) focused on delivering reliable, cost efficient, net-zero power from natural gas and captured coal mine methane to meet the soaring demand of data centers for reliable power.
The collaboration among the three companies would leverage in-basin natural gas production, advanced energy generation via fuel cell technology, and infrastructure financing to create a highly efficient, scalable, and sustainable energy solution tailored for the rapid expansion of data center power capacity requirements.
| | |
(Source: FuelCell Energy)
Click here for the full press release from FuelCell Energy.
| | Plug Announces Partnership with Southwire to Advance Carbon Reduction from the Supply Chain | | |
On March 13, Plug and Southwire, a North American manufacturer of wire and cable, announced a partnership to implement a clean hydrogen ecosystem at its new distribution site in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Under the recently signed agreement, Plug will supply more than 50 hydrogen-powered forklifts, equipped with GenDrive fuel cells, and a fueling station featuring four GenFuel dispensers. Plug will also source hydrogen from one of its production facilities in Georgia, Tennessee or Louisiana. Additionally, Plug will provide on-site service for the fuel cells for an initial five-year period and maintain the hydrogen infrastructure for 10 years.
Click here for the full press release from Plug.
| | Nel Signs Collaboration Agreement with Samsung E&A | | |
On March 11, Nel announced it signed a collaboration agreement that allows SAMSUNG E&A to offer its customers complete hydrogen plants of its own design using Nel’s electrolyzers. In a separate transaction, SAMSUNG E&A will purchase 10% of newly issued Nel ASA shares through a direct placement, implying a post transaction ownership of 9.1%. As a result of this transaction, SAMSUNG E&A will become the largest single shareholder in Nel.
Click here for the full press release from Nel.
| |
Be sure to stay on top of state and DC-based events through FCHEA's This Week in Hydrogen and Fuel Cells email newsletter. If you are not already subscribed, please contact Connor Dolan at cdolan@fchea.org.
| | Hydrogen Technology Expo North America 2025 | | |
Taking place at the NRG Center in Houston, Texas, on June 25-26, 2025, this premier event brings together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers to drive the future of hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
- 550+ Exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge solutions
- 10,000+ Attendees from across the global hydrogen value chain
- 250+ Expert Speakers delivering insights on policy, technology, and market trends
- Unlimited Networking with key stakeholders and industry pioneers
FCHEA members receive 15% off registration with code FCHEA.
Click here for more information.
| | |
They Said It Best
"Regardless of the availability or absence of these incentives, the likely changes in funding and policy do not mean all climate progress will be for naught. The Trump administration has repeatedly shown that it is driven toward business and economic progress, so hydrogen technology advancements need to show that they will provide sensible returns."
- Whitaker Irvin, Jr, CEO, Q Hydrogen
Source: The Role Of Hydrogen In Securing America’s Energy Future
| | Requests for Papers, Proposals, & Information | | *NEW* Canada's Energy Innovation Program Clean Fuels Call for Proposals | | |
The Clean Fuels Call for Proposals under Canada's Energy Innovation Program is currently accepting applications to fund research, development, and demonstration projects that advance sustainable and cost-effective clean fuel technologies.
The initiative focuses on two key areas: Clean Fuels Production, which aims to develop innovative technologies, reduce carbon intensity, and improve feedstock availability; and Clean Fuels Transport and Storage, which seeks to enhance safety, efficiency, and integration into existing infrastructure. The application process consists of an Expression of Interest (EOI) phase open to all eligible applicants, followed by a Full Project Proposal (FPP) phase for invited participants. EOIs must be submitted by April 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Click here for more information.
| | *NEW* Delaware Transit Corporation Request for Information: Hydrogen Fuel Supply Information | | |
Delaware Transit Corporation (DTC) is requesting information from the industry to understand
the availability of hydrogen fuel in the local and regional area, in preparation for the operation of
hydrogen fuel cell electric buses (FCEBs).
DTC invites interested and capable firms to provide informative feedback based on their
knowledge and experience as further described and requested in this RFI. Information received
may be used to inform and aid DTC in finalizing preparations for a subsequent Request for
Proposal (RFP) procurement process. DTC encourages participation, acknowledging that
participation is voluntary. You may choose to provide information on some or all listed
requirements.
Questions may be asked in writing to dtccontractadministration@delaware.gov until 4:30 pm
EST, March 31, 2024.
DTC will accept Vendor responses to this RFI until 4:30 pm, EST April 11, 2025. The responses
must be emailed to dtccontractadministration@delaware.gov.
Responses need to:
- Include a cover letter on the letterhead of the company or organization submitting the
- response. The cover letter must briefly summarize the vendor’s ability to provide the
- services specified and identify all materials and enclosures being forwarded collectively in
- response to the RFI.
- Identify a contact person and include his/her phone number and email address.
- Include a Table of Contents with page numbers for each of the components in the response.
- Include a detailed description of how the Vendor will provide the product/services outlined
- in this RFI. This part of the response may also include descriptions of any enhancements
- or additional services or qualifications the Vendor will provide that are not mentioned in
- this RFI.
| | Intercity Transit Announces RFP | | |
Intercity Transit, the public transportation provider in Thurston County, Washington, anticipates that it will soon seek proposals from qualified firms interested in providing a Hydrogen Refueling Station at its location in Olympia, Washington.
The solicitation documents for this project will be available online through Washington’s Electronic Business Solution (WEBS). If your firm may be interested in this opportunity, please register in WEBS so that you may download the solicitation documents once they have been posted.
The WEBS registration process can be started by visiting the website provided above and clicking “register now”. If you require assistance with the WEBS registration process, please contact WEBS customer service at (360) 902-7400.
| | DOE Issues Notice of Intent for Funding to Advance Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies to Drive National Decarbonization | | |
On September 10, the U.S. Department of Energy announced a notice of intent for potential funding to accelerate the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of affordable clean-hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to drive national decarbonization. The potential funding will focus on advancing technologies for hydrogen production, hydrogen infrastructure, and fuel cells, as well as demonstrating hydrogen and fuel cells in new, high-impact applications.
Potential topic areas include:
- Photoelectrochemical (PEC) Water Splitting Device Scale Up will develop and demonstrate PEC water splitting devices using low-cost, scalable synthesis and fabrication techniques.
- High-Performance Materials for Hydrogen Service, Including Cryogenic and/or High-Pressure Conditions will develop advanced materials for use in high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks, cryogenic service conditions, and fiber reinforced polymer hydrogen pipelines.
- Sustainable High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membranes and Ionomers for Heavy-Duty Transportation Applications will develop membranes and ionomers (key components of fuel cells) suitable for high temperature operation (up to 120°C) in heavy-duty fuel cell applications, without the use of perfluorosulfonic acid.
- Domestic Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Motorcoach Bus Development and Demonstration will develop and demonstrate domestically produced fuel cell electric motorcoach buses suitable for long-haul service.
For all topic areas, HFTO envisions awarding financial assistance awards in the form of cooperative agreements with periods of performance ranging from approximately two to four years.
Click here for more information from DOE.
| | OCED Announces Plans to Fund up to $400 Million for Clean Energy Projects in Rural and Remote Areas | | |
On August 22, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) for up to $400 million to spur innovative, community-focused clean energy solutions in rural and remote areas across the United States. This funding will support the deployment of a variety of commercially available, clean energy technologies, demonstrating their viability and benefits to rural and remote residents, and ultimately encouraging widespread adoption.
The anticipated new funding plans to support the demonstration of energy technologies that provide clean, resilient, reliable, affordable power, while also aiming to increase local energy independence and economic development. Eligible projects must address at least one of the following: improving overall cost-effectiveness of energy generation, transmission, or distribution systems; siting or upgrading transmission and distribution lines; reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy generation in rural or remote areas; providing or modernizing electric generation facilities; developing microgrids; or increasing energy efficiency.
Click here for more information.
| | Drayage Truck Funding from Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach Available to Stack with HVIP | | |
Starting Tuesday, November 14, 2023, the Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) will make $60 million provided by the Ports available for voucher requests for zero-emission Class 8 tractors performing drayage operations at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Voucher enhancements funded by the Ports are $100,000 per truck for fleets size 10 and smaller and $75,000 for fleets larger than 10, additional to the HVIP drayage voucher amount of $150,000 per truck and any other applicable HVIP voucher enhancements listed on www.californiahvip.org/funding. Purchaser qualifications are as defined in the HVIP Implementation Manual.
Funding is made available through the Ports’ Clean Truck Funds and administered by CALSTART on a first-come, first-served basis through the existing HVIP voucher request process and online Voucher Processing Center. Voucher requests will follow HVIP requirements, including the eligible trucks and dealers listed at www.californiahvip.org.
Additionally, all existing eligible unredeemed HVIP drayage truck vouchers that meet the Ports’ requirements will receive the same additional funds of $75,000 or $100,000 added to their HVIP voucher. Outreach to individual dealers and purchasers is already underway regarding this increase as additional actions are required to apply Port Clean Truck Funds to existing vouchers.
Click here for more information.
| | Zero-Emission Freight and Marine Statewide Grant Funding in California | | |
On August 22, the California Air Resources Board announced up to $20 million in funding is now available Statewide through the VW Zero-Emission Freight and Marine (ZEFM) program. This VW ZEFM solicitation incorporates the modifications to California's Beneficiary Mitigation Plan that were recently approved by the California Air Resources Board and has the following new features:
- Allows stacking with Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) and other state programs that don’t claim NOx emissions reductions
- Removed static funding caps for all project categories, including the funding cap for Airport Ground Support Equipment
- Includes a higher cost-effectiveness threshold (increased from $280,000 to $466,000 per ton of NOx reduced) that will be used as the primary factor in determining maximum funding
- Requires CARB’s pre-approval for projects with proposed award over $1 million
Funding is available for the following project categories:
- Heavy-lift forklifts (8,000 lb. lift capacity or greater) scrap and replace
- Airport ground support equipment scrap and replace
- Port cargo handling equipment (including terminal tractors) scrap and replace
- Ferries, tugboats, towboats repower, and
- Shore power system installation for ocean-going vessels not required or not yet required to use shore power while at berth.
Applications are being accepted and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted.
Click here for more information.
| | Statewide Funding for California Zero-Emission Class 8 Freight and Port Drayage Trucks |
Funding is now available from the California Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust for the Zero-Emission Class 8 Freight and Port Drayage Trucks category. This program will provide incentive funds on a first-come, first-served basis to truck owners operating in the state of California to replace Class 8 freight trucks, including drayage trucks, waste haulers, dump trucks, and concrete mixers, with zero-emission technologies approved by the California Air Resources Board and available for commercial use.
Click here for more information on the program.
| | Incentives for Off-Road Zero-Emission Equipment | |
The California Air Resources Board announced $125 million in funding incentives for its Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE). CORE helps offset the higher cost of zero-emission technology with a point-of-sale discount. There is no scrappage requirement, and additional funding is available for charging and fueling infrastructure and for equipment deployed in disadvantaged communities.
Click here for more information on the program.
| | |
Upcoming FCHEA Meeting Calendar
For more information on any of FCHEA's working groups, committees, or to be added to any working group rosters, please contact Connor Dolan at cdolan@fchea.org.
| |
FCHEA Technical and Regulatory Working Group
A virtual meeting will be held Wednesday, March 19 at 2:00 PM EST.
FCHEA Government Affairs Committee
An In-Person Strategy Session will be held on Thursday, March 20 at 1:00 PM.
| | 1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 1000, Washington D.C. 20036 | 202-355-9463 | | | | |
