The Biden-Harris Administration has released the US National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap to expedite the production, processing, delivery, storage, and utilization of clean hydrogen—an eco-friendly energy carrier with low or no carbon emissions. This framework aligns with President Biden’s plan to invest in America and foster a strong clean energy economy, supporting long-term decarbonization objectives. By 2030, the growing hydrogen sector could generate 100,000 new jobs in the US. Developed by the US Department of Energy (DOE) and other federal agencies, the Strategy and Roadmap demonstrate the President’s comprehensive approach to address the climate crisis, targeting a carbon-free grid by the year 2035 as well as a net-zero emissions economy by the next three decades (2050).
Accelerating hydrogen deployment is vital for President Biden’s affordable, secure clean energy vision. The DOE and federal partners developed the US National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap. It fosters a robust public-private partnership and guides government and industry to unlock hydrogen’s full potential. Biden understands that advancing clean hydrogen can create union jobs, drive local economies, and decarbonize challenging industries in the US. This roadmap aligns sectors, expediting progress towards a cleaner, secure energy future.
Clean hydrogen offers significant economic benefits and can create many well-paying jobs in the US, especially in underserved communities. The US Department of Energy’s report suggests that the growing hydrogen economy in the US could generate about 100,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2030. It will enhance energy independence, accelerate manufacturing growth, and already created over 800,000 jobs under President Biden. Clean hydrogen will play a crucial role in reducing emissions in energy-intensive sectors like industry, chemicals, and heavy-duty transportation in the US. It also enables the expansion of renewable power by providing long-duration energy storage and multiple revenue streams for clean power generation, including renewables, advanced nuclear, and other innovative technologies.
The US Strategy and Roadmap provides an overview of hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and usage in the US, and envisions how clean hydrogen can contribute to national decarbonization goals across various sectors in the future. It presents future demand scenarios, aiming for domestic production of 10 MMT of clean hydrogen annually by 2030, 20 MMT annually by 2040, and 50 MMT annually by 2050. It aligns with a historic $9.5 billion investment in clean hydrogen through the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, ongoing federal research and development efforts, and policy incentives like a new production tax credit which was introduced in the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Strategy and Roadmap outlines three main approaches to ensure the effective development and adoption of clean hydrogen as a means of decarbonization in the US. These approaches include:
- Prioritize strategic applications for clean hydrogen, such as industry, transportation, and energy storage for a clean grid.
- Reduce clean hydrogen costs through innovation, private sector investments, and a robust supply chain.
- Develop regional networks for clean hydrogen production and usage to maximize infrastructure benefits, scalability, and market growth, while promoting equity and environmental justice.
The US National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap was initially released in draft form in September 2022, seeking input from a wide range of stakeholders. The final version, released today, incorporates feedback from various sources and the Department of Energy’s March 2023 report. It will be regularly updated every three years to adapt to changing circumstances.