Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Newsletter: February-April 2020

The February–April 2020 issue of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Newsletter includes stories in these categories:

In the News

DOE and National Labs Joining Forces to Support COVID-19 Efforts

DOE is committed to keeping its employees safe and contributing resources to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. To help stop the spread of the virus and ensure uninterrupted operations, DOE has moved to maximum telework for all nonessential employees. See DOE's Coronavirus Hub for a message from DOE Secretary Dan Brouillette, a new episode of the podcast Direct Current about DOE's contributions to fight COVID-19, and government guidance on travel, school closures, and what every American can do to flatten the curve. Learn how five DOE National Labs are playing key roles in the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium.

Fuel Cells Small Business eSpin Turns to Mask Manufacturing to Support Frontline Workers in COVID-19 Response

eSpin Technologies, a small business in Chattanooga, Tennessee, funded by the FCTO through DOE's Small Business Innovation Research program, has been working on electrospinning nanofibers for fuel cell membranes and other applications. Recently, eSpin announced it is using its nanofibers to make 95% efficient pleated surgical face masks for healthcare workers, in response to the COVID-19 crisis. eSpin is also making protective face masks with a 50% capture efficiency for cough-induced aerosol and other airborne particles for routine use by people running errands. Currently, eSpin is converting the filter media into more than 9,000 masks per day. Due to the production ramp-up, the company has hired 12 workers and a shift supervisor to manufacture nanofiber filter media in two shifts, and is working toward expanding to a third shift leading to increased daily nanofiber production to support 185,000 masks.  

DOE Joins Forces with Industry to Collaborate on Transportation Technology Validation and Assessment

DOE and Hyundai Motor Company announced a partnership to assess and validate the current status and performance of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Similar to previous partnerships with other automakers, this collaboration will include data collection and validation on five Hyundai NEXO fuel cell cars, as well as the installation of a SimpleFuel Unit to support refueling and identify infrastructure R&D gaps. This supports the agency's directive to maintain a comprehensive national energy strategy and collaborate with industry to ensure America's transportation needs and challenges are met. The vehicles will also be made available to National Labs and federal agencies with refueling capability.

Funding Opportunities and Requests for Information

DOE Seeks Input and Collaboration on Science and Technology Response to COVID-19

If you have any ideas on specific research questions underpinning COVID-19 response that the research community may answer through DOE user facilities, computational resources, and enabling infrastructure, please email them to [email protected]. More information can be found in the Dear Colleague Letter on DOE’s Coronavirus Resources Hub. Responses will be reviewed beginning March 18, 2020.

DoD and DOE Join Forces on Funding Opportunity to Develop H2Rescue

DOE and the Department of Defense (DoD) are working together to develop a first-of-its-kind advanced fuel truck technology concept known as H2Rescue. H2Rescue is a fuel cell/battery hybrid truck designed for use by first responders and military personnel. It can provide power, heat, and even potable water for up to 72 hours. Apply for this solicitation, which allows for up to nearly $1 million in federal funds and must include an equal contribution of funds from industry partners. The deadline to apply has been extended to April 30, 2020.

Open Funding Opportunity to Advance Hydrogen and Nuclear Integration

DOE’s EERE and Nuclear Energy (NE) Offices announced funding through the U.S. Industry Opportunities for Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Funding Opportunity. The current solicitation under this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) makes available up to $21 million in federal funding to innovative projects aimed at leveraging and optimizing synergies between nuclear and hydrogen technologies for energy security, resilience, and affordability. Learn more about the synergies between hydrogen and nuclear energy and apply for this funding opportunity by June 30, 2020.  

DOE Issues Funding Opportunity Announcement to Enable New H2@Scale Markets

DOE announced its Fiscal Year 2020 H2@Scale New Markets FOA. Concept papers were due February 25, and selected projects will be announced in June 2020. The FOA will include more novel demonstration and R&D projects for several emerging new hydrogen markets and applications. It makes available up to $64 million in federal funding for projects that demonstrate effective ways to scale up affordable hydrogen and fuel cell technology options for expanded supply and demand.

IPHE Launches Student Infographic Competition on Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day, FCTO, in collaboration with the International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), announced the launch of IPHE’s Student Infographic Challenge. The competition is a call for students to apply their creative and research skills to showcase how hydrogen and fuel cell technologies can help us create a more sustainable, clean, and resilient energy future.

Are you ready to put on your creative hat, show your skills, and spread the word about hydrogen and fuel cells? Submit your entry by July 31, 2020, and visit iphe.net/challenge for additional information about competition requirements, additional submission rounds, and timelines.

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office Fellowships Available

Join FCTO and support our mission to ensure a clean energy future through the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technology. There are fellowship roles available in hydrogen storage, hydrogen infrastructure, and hydrogen fuel R&D. For more information, email [email protected] or visit ORISE’s STEM Internships & Fellowships page.

Join New Information Platform Pilot to Replace eXCHANGE

EERE is launching the EERE Program Information Center (EPIC) pilot, which will replace eXCHANGE for funding opportunity announcements and application submissions. Organizations interested in volunteering for the pilot must email [email protected] by May 1, 2020, to apply.

Webinars and Workshops

Recent Program Presentations

FCTO participated in various webinars to facilitate information sharing on hydrogen and fuel cells and foster collaboration with other sectors, including nuclear energy. Visit our website to see webinar archives or program presentations.

Recent presentations include:

  • IPHE Webinar: U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Perspectives
  • FC Expo 2020 Special Session: U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Overview
  • Nuclear Innovation Clean Energy Future (NICE) Webinar: Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Perspectives

2020 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting Cancelled

Due to announcements from federal and state government leaders concerning COVID-19, DOE has cancelled the 2020 Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program Annual Merit and Peer Review meeting scheduled for May 19-21 in Arlington, VA.

View reports from previous AMR meetings.

Upcoming H2IQ Hour: How IPHE Is Fostering Global Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Collaboration and Coordination

Join FCTO on April 28, 2020, at 12 p.m. Eastern to learn more about how IPHE’s 19 country members and the European Commission are joining forces to advance progress in hydrogen and fuel cells globally. IPHE’s Secretariat Tim Karlsson and EERE’s FCTO Director and IPHE Chair, Sunita Satyapal, will provide an overview of IPHE’s activities, examples of global progress, and ways stakeholders can get involved in IPHE’s efforts to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen and fuel cells in the economy. 

Studies, Reports, and Publications

Program Record Assesses Cost of Hydrogen Production from Electrolysis

FCTO has posted a Program Record on the cost of hydrogen produced from electrolyzers if manufactured at high volumes. The projected, high-volume, untaxed cost of hydrogen from electrolyzers, which split water into hydrogen and oxygen, can range from approximately $2 to $7 per kilogram of hydrogen. These results incorporate industry input on electrolyzer system performance as well as on capital, operational, and feedstock costs. The total uninstalled capital cost of an electrolyzer system, for example, ranged from approximately $230/kW to $600/kW for different analysis scenarios.  

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program Annual Progress Report Posted

The 2019 Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Office Annual Progress Report (APR) has been posted. The APR, which is released yearly, includes an introduction by DOE FCTO Director Dr. Sunita Satyapal outlining hydrogen and fuel cell R&D developments, collaborations, workshops, and international activities for FY 2019, as well as highlights for each technical subprogram.

U.S. Industry Hydrogen Roadmap Now Available Online

The U.S. Industry Hydrogen Roadmap was developed by industry stakeholders to guide next steps in hydrogen technology deployment. The full report, and the executive summary released in November 2019, are provided on the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association website.