Port of Long Beach bids for federal H2 funds

The Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) will bid for a hydrogen hub under the US Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) programme. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, H2Hubs will be one of the largest investments in the history of the Department of Energy in the United States.

The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) also mentioned that the shortlisted H2Hub proposals will also demonstrate the production of clean hydrogen from fossil fuels, renewable energy, and nuclear energy, respectively. The DOE expects the H2Hubs to include various end-uses for hydrogen in multiple sectors, including transportation, and is expected to support the development of hydrogen vectors, such as methanol or ammonia, in addition to hydrogen. The deadline for concept paper submissions is 7 November 2022.

Portside applications

The Port of Long Beach, which adjoins the Port of Los Angeles, has set a goal of all zero-emissions cargo-handling equipment by 2030 and a zero-emissions drayage truck fleet by 2035. Last month it announced that a trucking company partner will convert to fully emissions-free operations by 2025 – a full decade before the goal.

Today, about 17% of the cargo-handling equipment at the port is electric-powered, the largest such fleet in the US. The port has also committed US$150 million to support zero and near-zero emissions demonstration projects inside the port and on Southern California roads.

“Establishment of a hydrogen hub in California would support achieving our zero emission goals,” said Port of Long Beach executive director, Mario Cordero.

“With US$8 billion in federal funding available, we want to ensure we have as much leverage as possible to see that our fair share comes to California, and specifically to the ports.”