Hydrogen has been discussed in the energy world for decades as potentially being a transformative resource for decarbonization. The federal government has recently made drastic moves to incent hydrogen production, delivery, storage, and use through the Department of Energy’s “Hydrogen Shot” initiative to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen by 80% in the next decade, the $8 billion hydrogen hub initiative included in last year’s bipartisan infrastructure law, and the recent Inflation Reduction Act.
Maine recently joined a multi-state Northeast consortium to explore funding opportunities through the Department of Energy’s Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs initiative. Will Maine seize the federal opportunity to effectively integrate hydrogen as an energy resource? In particular, given Maine’s unique energy challenges and opportunities---namely high and volatile energy prices, large industrial and Maritimes sectors, a highly dispersed population, and abundant renewable energy potential---can it utilize hydrogen to decarbonize industry and transportation, store excess renewable electricity for use at times of high electricity demand, and even export hydrogen for use across the region and in Europe?
Find out what experts think, what they see as viable hydrogen pathways in Maine, and what interesting uses hydrogen has in Maine today.
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