Recent improvements and price declines associated with wind, solar and battery technologies have disrupted energy markets and created new hope for addressing the climate crisis.  However, challenges persist with respect to the intermittency of power generated by wind and solar systems.  Additionally, the need for large capacity energy storage options that are economical, equitable, and mobile, far exceeds anticipated advances in battery technology.  Hydrogen has the potential to play a vital role in meeting the energy storage needs required to slash CO₂ emissions.  It is the most plentiful element in the universe and its capability as an effective energy carrier has been well understood for decades.

Hydrogen can be produced, stored, transported and used without toxic pollution or CO₂ emissions. It burns clean when mixed with oxygen from the atmosphere and can be used as a source of heat or to power an internal combustion engine.  Hydrogen can also be fed into a fuel cell device that converts hydrogen’s chemical energy into electricity.  Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) are becoming increasingly popular in the transportation sector, particularly in large scale applications with high utilization rates such as busing, trucking, rail and maritime.  Technologies that produce, store, transport and utilize hydrogen have now advanced to a point where hydrogen is emerging as a near-term option for applications in grid storage, transportation, metals refining, and heat for buildings and industrial applications.