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New Report: The Landscape of Clean Hydrogen

Minneapolis, MN/Washington, DC, May 24, 2023 – Clean Hydrogen production must quickly scale beyond the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) initial H2Hubs program locations in order to reach DOE’s clean energy targets over the next three decades, according to The Landscape of Clean Hydrogen: An Outlook for Industrial Hubs in the United States released today by Carbon Solutions with the Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3).  

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DOE’s targets of 10 million metric tons of clean hydrogen by 2030, 20 million metric tons by 2040, and 50 million metric tons by 2050 culminate in annual hydrogen production five times today’s current capacity. Empowering states to develop impactful regional clean hydrogen hubs will help put the US on track to meeting these critical decarbonization targets. 

“Hydrogen hubs are a prime pathway to decarbonize energy-intensive sectors of the economy,” said Dane McFarlane, Director of Climate and Policy at Carbon Solutions and report co-author. “With supportive policies and the infusion of federal and state funding, the regions identified in the Hydrogen Hubs Report have the potential to be critical drivers of innovation in the race to scale hydrogen production to reach DOE’s climate goals. The findings presented can serve as an initial roadmap for developing a hydrogen hub network across the US that is capable of meeting these goals while also keeping pace with our nation’s growing energy demands.”  

The Landscape of Clean Hydrogen report charts regional opportunities for clean hydrogen hubs and considers the immense scale of new hydrogen production, carbon capture retrofit, and electrolysis capacity needed to meet our nation’s climate goals.

“Regardless of eventual DOE Hub selections, the Landscape of Clean Hydrogen report identifies both the need and opportunities for states to lead in the burgeoning hydrogen economy by leveraging the unique characteristics of their particular region,” said Gabrielle Habeeb, I3 Project Manager and report coauthor. “Our findings can be used by state and federal lawmakers, energy buyers, and corporations to build a better understanding of the key criteria for developing impactful hydrogen hubs that capitalize on the diverse applications and environmental benefits of clean hydrogen.”

Key findings of The Landscape of Clean Hydrogen report include: 

  • Prioritizing the use of hydrogen in hard-to-electrify sectors will be key to maximizing climate benefits. In sectors such as heavy industry and transportation, where emissions are anticipated to persist or increase by midcentury without additional policy, hydrogen will be a key enabler of decarbonization.
  • DOE’s goals represent hydrogen production at five times today’s current capacity. The scale of clean hydrogen production will need to increase drastically, both in facility output and in the number of facilities, by midcentury to reach DOE’s goals. These goals can be met from a variety of hydrogen production methods.
  • Hydrogen hubs are an opportunity to co-locate production with new and existing markets. Leveraging the unique assets of each region will allow growth to regional scale and maximize emissions reductions.
  • It will be beneficial to establish hydrogen hubs with large production targets. Targets such as 100 thousand tons to 1 million tons of hydrogen per year are needed. Otherwise, it will take many more hubs at DOE’s minimum production thresholds to meet roadmap goals and midcentury targets.
  • Electrolysis will need to scale immensely to achieve multi-gigawatt scale in the next decade. It will eventually need to match the same order of magnitude as current fossil-based H2 production and beyond.
  • Clean hydrogen can reduce air quality pollutants by displacing fossil fuel use in the industrial and transportation sectors. The reduction in pollutants from fossil fuel displacement by clean hydrogen can improve public health and result in positive economic opportunities associated with improved health outcomes in disadvantaged communities and for the general population.

The report provides a landscape of current production and potential future use, demonstrating where hydrogen hubs may be located to the greatest effect, accounting for local resources, high-emissions industries present in the region, and geographic characteristics. It specifically examines regional opportunities for clean hydrogen production and application across 11 US regions. Each region features a unique industrial and energy landscape, presenting a variety of regional advantages for clean hydrogen hub development. 

“The hydrogen hubs will form the foundation of clean hydrogen production and use in this country,” said Angela Anderson, Director of Industrial Innovation and CDR at WRI. “DOE’s decisions will significantly guide hydrogen’s role in decarbonization, and will tee up additional important research and policy questions about safety, transportation, and community benefits.” 

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Carbon Solutions applies proprietary research and development, software, and team expertise to address energy challenges, including carbon capture and storage, geothermal energy, wind energy, biofuels, energy storage, and the hydrogen economy. Carbon Solutions aims to accelerate low-carbon energy and beneficial infrastructure development in the US. The Carbon Solutions vision is focused on three integrated pillars: research and development that advances low-carbon energy science, software development that generates unique tools and data, and services that apply our research and development and software to address emerging energy challenges. Learn more at www.carbonsolutionsllc.com. 

Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) is an ambitious coalition co-convened by the Great Plains Institute (GPI) and the World Resources Institute (WRI) to advance solutions key to decarbonizing the industrial sector by midcentury through policy development and implementation; technology demonstration, and adoption; and demand-side market development at state, regional, and federal levels. Visit www.industrialinnovation.org/about/ to learn more. 

This report was created to provide informational value to I3 members; however, it was not drafted with member input and does not reflect the expressed opinions of participating organizations. 

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Labor Engagement Manager for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Alejandro comes to GPI from Labor Union SEIU-United Service Workers West. He represented union workers from downtown Los Angeles and LA’s westside corridor of Century City, Westwood, and Beverly Hills. Alejandro enforced various collective bargaining agreements for union workers, ensuring annual wage increases, health insurance, and other benefits and protections. In addition, he worked with union leaders and outside stakeholders, such as community partners, public agencies, politicians, and industry experts, to develop and execute union campaigns. Alejandro was also part of the Los Angeles-Justice for Janitors 2021 union contract campaign—he helped execute and coordinate large-scale actions across LA’s metropolitan area. Previously, he served as the Nevada state canvassing director at For Our Future Action Fund. He holds a BA in international studies and Italian from the University of Kansas.

Senior Program Coordinator for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Carrie Danner joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as the operations coordinator for the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management team. In her work, she supports all projects within the program to elevate operations, particularly in grant-making and event planning. Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree from Knox College in environmental studies. Prior to joining GPI, she supported programs at the Conservation Corps of Minnesota & Iowa as their member experience administrator.

Industry Program Coordinator, GPI

Alana joined GPI in 2024 as a program associate on the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management team, specifically supporting the Industrial Innovation Initiative, where she helps to advance industrial decarbonization through GPI’s consensus-building approach. Alana previously worked as an account executive at Jamf, where she helped current K-12 education customers improve and scale the management and security of their Apple device deployments. Alana has spent most of her professional years working with Minnesota nonprofits, including two years as an AmeriCorps member with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. She holds a bachelor’s degree in community environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Zachary Byrum, Research Analyst, WRI

Zachary Byrum is a Research Analyst in WRI's U.S. Climate Program, where he provides technology and policy analysis for carbon removal and deep decarbonization. His work focuses on pathways to reduce industrial emissions as well as bolstering technological carbon removal. Prior to WRI, Zach was a research assistant in the Carbon Management Research Initiative at the Center on Global Energy Policy. In the preceding years, he served as White House Intern in the National Economic Council under the Obama Administration and then an assistant analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. Zach holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Goucher College.

Senior Advisor of Industrial Innovation, WRI United States

Angela Anderson is the Director of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal in the Climate Program. She leads WRI's growing portfolio of work in industrial decarbonization and carbon removal and aims to change narratives around “hard-to-abate” sectors and promote the natural and technological interventions required to achieve net-zero targets. Prior to joining WRI, Angela worked as a program director, coalition builder, international advocate, and campaign strategist. She led the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists for ten years; facilitated US-NGO engagement in the international climate negotiations while at US Climate Action Network and at the Pew Environmental Trust; and founded Clear the Air, a national coalition to reduce pollution from power plants. Angela holds a B.A. in political science from Colorado State University.

Vice President of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Patrice Lahlum is the Vice President of the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management program at the Great Plains Institute. The Institute, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, works with diverse stakeholders and communities across the country to transform the energy system to benefit people, the economy, and the environment. We strive to combine our unique consensus-building approach, expert knowledge and analysis, and local action to promote solutions that strengthen communities, shore up the nation’s industrial base, and enhance domestic energy independence, all while eliminating carbon emissions. Patrice oversees several initiatives, including the Carbon Capture Coalition, Industrial Innovation Initiative, Carbon Action Alliance, and the Regional Carbon Capture Deployment Initiative.

Senior Content Specialist for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Kate Sullivan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2019. As Senior Content Specialist, Kate uses her analytical and design skills to provide research, writing, and logistical support across the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management team. Prior to joining GPI, Kate worked as an Energy Counselor in the Center for Energy and Environment’s residential department, assisting homeowners with their energy needs and providing resources for efficiency upgrades. Kate earned her BA in Biology from St. Olaf College with an emphasis in Environmental Studies.

Senior Program Manager for Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management, GPI

Jill Syvrud joined the Great Plains Institute in 2017 and serves as the program manager for the Industrial Innovation and Carbon Management Program. In addition to overseeing the overall program, Jill directly supports the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors. Jill earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and a master of science degree in science technology and environmental policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Jill’s past experience includes multiple graduate research assistantships concentrating on technology innovation and sustainable megacities, as well as a previous position as an administrative and outreach coordination intern with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.