Acting Assistant Secretary for FECM Wilcox joins panel discussion on hydrogen opportunities and activities at 2021 DOE AMR Peer Evaluation Meeting
Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management
June 9, 2021
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On June 7, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), Dr. Jennifer Wilcox, participated in the opening plenary session titled, “H2@Scale Opportunities and Activities at DOE” at the DOE Hydrogen Program’s 2021 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR). The Hydrogen Program’s opening day covered a myriad of different hydrogen technologies including: fuel cell technologies; technology acceleration; interagency and intra-agency activities; and safety codes and standards.
FECM has awarded nearly $14 million to hydrogen technology research and development projects. However, the success of these new technologies depends on the efficient production and delivery of hydrogen. “So, one area we’re looking at is transport— and how do we develop the infrastructure for moving hydrogen around the market. We’re looking at blends of hydrogen with natural gas as a way of moving hydrogen, keeping in mind this may lead to an additional separation step at the end of the pipeline. Another approach is converting H2 to ammonia, which can be transported more easily. ” said Dr. Wilcox. “At the same time, we’re also investing in turbine technologies where we look at co-firing natural gas and hydrogen and ramping up to 100 percent firing with hydrogen in the future.”
The transition of fossil fuel-dependent communities to a clean energy economy remain important to the Administration and DOE leadership. “We are also really excited about thinking in a regional way, focusing on communities that we want to make sure aren’t left behind in the transition,” said Dr. Wilcox. Those regions include the Gulf Coast and Appalachia, particularly Ohio, West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania.
Other speakers at the event included Dr. Kathryn Huff, Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy, Dr. Stephen Binkley, Acting Director and Principal Deputy Director for the Office of Science, and Kelly Speakes-Backman, Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
The Hydrogen Program’s AMR runs June 7-11, 2021. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. For more information on the Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting, please visit their website. Press inquiries regarding Dr. Wilcox’s opening plenary discussion should be directed to [email protected].
