The Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the “Hydrogen Shot” grant program, which is itself a part of the DOE’s “Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office.” The Hydrogen Shot program seeks to produce “clean” hydrogen—which means hydrogen that is manufactured with minimal of carbon dioxide emissions. “Clean hydrogen” of the sort that the “Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office FOA in Support of Hydrogen Shot” will fund is sometimes called “blue hydrogen” or “green hydrogen,” but it appears that the terms don’t have specific, clearly established definitions. While the application process for the unusual “Hydrogen Shot” grant program is challenging, as grant writers, we understand it.
The “Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office FOA in Support of Hydrogen Shot” Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) was recently published by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), and there is $47M available, with grants to $1M—but you must act fast, as the concept paper is due February 24 and the proposal April 28. Seliger + Associates will write your entire proposal or edit your draft for a reasonable flat fee. Call 800.540.8906 ext. 1 or email seliger@seliger.com for a fast, free fee quote.
The “Hydrogen Shot” grant program’s overall goal is to support basic research, as well as applied research, into ways to improve clean hydrogen production. Specifics of what that means will have to wait for the complete FOA, however. The long-term goal is to produce hydrogen without producing any carbon emissions at a price low enough to compete commercially. The DOE defines that as under a dollar per kilogram. The current initiative is focusing on the delivery of hydrogen, as well as the ability of companies and individuals to store hydrogen. Fuel cells are also part of the DOE “Hydrogen Shot” process.
There are several areas of interest (AOIs), among them:
a. Ways to carry hydrogen and move it effectively.
b. Being able to store hydrogen, particularly when it’s in liquid rather than gas form, for use in trucks.
c. Being able to move and transfer hydrogen in its liquid form, and being able to use that liquid hydrogen for truck fuel.
d. Creating catalysts for hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. The goal is to create membrane electrode assemblies, or MEAs, that improve hydrogen performance in truck fuel cells.
The DOE has also created a “Teaming Partner List” for applicants, to ensure that technologies flow smoothly across the human membrane. Given that the FOA is on the street, it’s time for applicants to act.
