(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/13/2023) Michigan will be the site of one of seven U.S. locations in which commercial-scale hydrogen will be stored and distributed, according to Department of Energy Friday.
The idea is these “hydrogen hubs” will kickstart a national network of clean hydrogen producers, consumers and infrastructure that will drive commercial-scale deployment of this clean energy source.
A Michigan hydrogen hub project was awarded up to $1 billion.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen, or MachH2, and the Michigan Infrastructure Office were working to build a “Truck Stop of the Future” in Detroit, which would be used to build and test hydrogen-powered semi-trailers and other heavy equipment.
“Manufacturing is a fundamental part of the Midwest region’s identity and economic prosperity. Today’s announcement will allow us to stay true to this heritage while advancing innovation to remain globally competitive in the ongoing transition to clean energy,” Whitmer said.
MachH2 would also oversee construction of a hydrogen production facility in Ypsilanti and the expansion of a hydrogen production and refueling center at the Flint Mass transportation Authority, which is working on a fleet of hydrogen-powered buses for mass transit.
U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) praised the selection of Michigan, which was recently named the top state in the Midwest for clean energy jobs, as a clean hydrogen hub.
“The Midwest Hydrogen hub presents an exciting opportunity for our region to advance our position as a national clean energy and technology leader, while bringing thousands of good-paying jobs to our communities,” Dingell said.
The funding applications were announced in 2022 and 79 applications were sent. Those were whittled down to 33 and the Michigan project was one of seven projects to win funding.
Whitmer addressed the project award for Michigan during a meeting in Cleveland with other Great Lakes governors.
“The goal was to really incentivize different states working together so that we can ramp up and move quickly and meet the need and realize the opportunity in front of us,” Whitmer said.
