March 27, 2022. Next Hydrogen Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) along with an initial total of 40 hydrogen ecosystem partners to develop a proposal to become one of at least four regional clean hydrogen hubs designated through the US federal Clean Hydrogen Hubs program included in the federal 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The coalition of 40 partners agree to work together to advance a vision that enables a long-term sustainable clean hydrogen industry in the Northeast region and cooperate to develop a proposal in response to the United States Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement, anticipated to launch in May 2022 with $8 billion in funding available.
“Next Hydrogen is excited to offer its unique technology and solutions expertise to this monumental group of partners who will work together to advance a clean hydrogen hub in the US Northeast,” said Raveel Afzaal, President and CEO of Next Hydrogen. “We are joining an impressive group of industry leaders to evaluate and develop this hydrogen hub proposal with the shared goal of facilitating the development of resilient clean energy infrastructure in the United States.”
Today’s announcement advances New York State’s leadership role in clean hydrogen infrastructure deployment and research and development, key priorities laid out in Governor Hochul’s 2022 State of the State, and supports the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85 percent by 2050.
NYSERDA, which will coordinate the proposal development, will work in consultation with coalition partners, to determine the eligibility of hydrogen projects to participate in the hub proposal, consistent with the core principles of greenhouse gas reduction, economic development, and environmental justice.
By forming a coalition, New York presents a coordinated multi-site approach to a hydrogen hub that connects the entire value chain of hydrogen producers, users, technology and equipment manufacturers, and the research and development community including national labs and universities.