Northwest hydrogen projects to get up to $1B in federal support
The Wells hydroelectric dam east of Wenatchee has been the primary power-generating resource for the Douglas County Public Utility District. Excess power from the dam will eventually be sent to the new hydrogen plant to produce green hydrogen fuel. (Courtesy of Douglas PUD)
The Pacific Northwest is among seven regions picked to receive federal money to become hydrogen industrial hubs.
The Northwest venture — the public/private Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association involving Washington, Oregon and Montana — could receive up to $1 billion in federal dollars. The exact amount and parameters still have to be negotiated.
“The projects in this hub will support thousands of new jobs in Washington and the Northwest, while slashing emission in sectors such as heavy transportation, maritime, agriculture and industrial operations,” said Gov. Jay Inslee in a written statement.
The U.S. Department of Energy announced seven regional winners Friday chosen from 33 finalist proposals. Five of the winners are in Texas or further east. California is the only other winner west of Texas.
The Pacific Northwest coalition believes it can meet a DOE target of producing 50 to 100 metric tons of hydrogen fuel daily. Under this program, each hub is required to provide matching funds to make up at least 50% of the total costs.
While there are many ways to produce hydrogen fuel, this federal venture is interested in “green hydrogen,” created using water and sources of electricity like solar, wind or hydropower. The carbon footprint from this production process can be close to zero.
According to a 2020 Department of Energy report, the U.S. already produces upward of 10 million metric tons of hydrogen annually, but most of this is made using a method that involves natural gas. Only about 1% comes from the non-carbon-emitting “electrolysis” process that yields green hydrogen.
Projects already under in Washington include Fortescue Future Industries of East Perth, Australia, which is planning to build a green hydrogen production facility on the site of a closed coal mine next to the TransAlta coal-fired power plant in Centralia in Lewis County. The only one in Washington, TransAlta's coal-fired plant is scheduled to close in 2025.
The ports of Tacoma and Seattle are brainstorming developing fuel production facilities.
The Douglas County Public Utility District in Central Washington is building a complex along the Columbia River to produce hydrogen. That plant is on track to begin operating in 2024.
Several companies are planning to test hydrogen aircraft near Moses Lake.