NY Gov Announces $16 Million Fund for Clean Hydrogen Research and Demonstration

Governor Hochul announced that the Hydrogen and Clean Fuels Program now provides $16 million in funding for hydrogen projects. The program funds clean hydrogen research, development, and demonstration projects for industrial processes, transportation, energy storage, and grid support.

The program accepts funding applications for product development proposals and pilot demonstration projects. The application deadline is July 15, 2024.

Clean hydrogen or "green" hydrogen differs from traditional "blue" hydrogen in that it uses renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power instead of fossil fuel power generation. Promoting clean hydrogen is expected to address end-uses that make it difficult to reduce carbon.

The funding is part of New York State's Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, which aims to achieve the goal of 100 percent zero emissions by 2040, one of the most ambitious climate goals in the United States.

The New York framework calls for 18 gigawatts of carbon-free, stable, dispatchable long-term storage capacity by 2050. Governor Hochul said: "New York is taking the lead in building a clean hydrogen ecosystem and growing this emerging industry. The program will be administered by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

Amit Goyal, DNV's Regional manager for Hydrogen and Low-carbon Fuels, said: "While the tax credits provided in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act will significantly improve the economics of clean hydrogen projects, states must also take direct action to accelerate domestic production and use of clean hydrogen.

Funding for the programs will come from New York's 10-year Clean Energy Fund (CEF) and the $6 billion Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). "NYSERDA's initiatives in industrial process thermal applications, high-capacity high-density storage, supporting microgrids, and supporting heavy transportation are exactly the kind of state-level support needed to complement federal incentives and further advance the hydrogen economy, "Goyal said.