Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies to Drive National Decarbonization

Modification 0001: The purpose of this modification is to: Update title for Topic 3 The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) intends to issue, on behalf of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO), a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) entitled Advanced Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies to Drive National Decarbonization. Clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are important elements of a comprehensive energy portfolio, particularly for use in hard-to-decarbonize sectors of the economy (such as heavy-duty transportation and industrial applications) and to enable long duration energy storage for a clean electric grid. Advancing clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies directly supports the Biden-Harris Administrations goals of achieving carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035 and net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050, benefiting all Americans. This NOFO supports the vision outlined in the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap: affordable clean hydrogen for a net-zero carbon future and a sustainable, resilient, and equitable economy. The NOFO will target research, development, and demonstration (RD) topics critical to scaling hydrogen infrastructure and enabling increased adoption of clean hydrogen across sectors, particularly in heavy-duty (HD) vehicles and other heavy-duty transportation applications, which supports the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. Increased adoption of hydrogen technologies will help achieve economies of scale and drive down costs, directly supporting the Department of Energys (DOE) Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) Program, an $8 billion federal investment to create networks of hydrogen producers, consumers, and local connective infrastructure to accelerate the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and a carbon-free input to a number of chemical and industrial processes. Improvements in clean hydrogen technologies will also contribute to the long-term viability of the H2Hubs and other commercial-scale deployments. Activities funded under this NOFO will also align with the H2@Scale Initiative, which aims to advance affordable hydrogen production, transport, storage, and utilization to enable decarbonization and revenue opportunities across multiple sectors. The NOFOs objectives support DOEs Hydrogen Shot goal, which targets affordable clean hydrogen production at $1/kg within a decade. Hydrogen and fuel cells can provide benefits and create opportunities for communities that have been historically underservedsuch as improving air quality, providing resiliency, and creating jobs, including good-paying union jobs. Consistent with DOEs commitment to benefit all Americans, this anticipated NOFO will encourage the participation of underserved communities and underrepresented groups. Applicants will be encouraged to form meaningful and substantial partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions (e.g., Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Other Minority Institutions). To support the goal of building a clean and equitable energy economy, projects funded under this NOFO will be expected to (1) advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA); (2) contribute to the Justice40 Initiative7 and other considerations linked with energy and/or environmental justice; and (3) invest in Americas workforce. To ensure these objectives are met, applications must include an RDD Community Benefits Plan (CBP) that addresses the three objectives stated above. THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT (NOI) ONLY. This Notice is issued so that interested parties are aware of the EEREs intention to issue this NOFO in the near term. All of the information contained in this Notice is subject to change. EERE may issue a NOFO as described herein, may issue a NOFO that is significantly different from the NOFO described herein, or EERE may not issue a NOFO at all. EERE will not respond to questions concerning this Notice. Once the NOFO has been released, EERE will provide an avenue for potential Applicants to submit questions. Prospective applicants to the NOFO should begin developing partnerships, formulating ideas, and gathering data in anticipation of the issuance of this NOFO. EERE plans to issue the NOFO on or about October 2024 via the EERE Exchange website https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/.