Key Players and Partnerships Advancing Hydrogen Fuel

Renewable Energy / June 20, 2023

The global race to net-zero is on. And hydrogen—specifically, blue and green hydrogen—is emerging as the leading contender for sustainable energy solutions.

As a zero-emission fuel that releases only water as a byproduct when used, hydrogen is poised to revolutionize clean, resilient, and cost-effective energy systems. So far, it vastly outperforms mainstream intermittent alternatives, such as solar and wind.

With such enormous potential, it's no surprise that American, European, and Asian automakers are scrambling to unlock the power of hydrogen and establish partnerships that propel adoption.

So, how exactly are some of the biggest players in hydrogen advancing a sustainable future?

Key Initiatives in the Hydrogen Fuel Industry

From coast to coast, automakers and energy providers are taking up the hydrogen challenge. And they’re not just producing hydrogen fuel cars. Many are also laying the groundwork for an entire hydrogen infrastructure.

1. Toyota's Commitment to Hydrogen Infrastructure

Toyota is attempting to be more than just an automaker with contributions like the hydrogen-powered Mirai and Hilux pickup; the company wants to be a pioneer in the world of hydrogen. They have partnered with various organizations and governments worldwide to establish hydrogen refueling networks to support fuel cell vehicle adoption.

Recognizing the importance of a comprehensive refueling infrastructure, Toyota has actively contributed to the development of hydrogen stations and production plants, like the ongoing Trigeneration Direct Fuel Cell Power Plant in the Port of Long Beach – a project for which FASTECH is proudly serving as lead contractor.

The company is also a founding member of the Hydrogen Council, a global initiative that brings together leading companies to promote hydrogen as a key enabler of the energy transition. Through this collaboration, Toyota works with other stakeholders to advance hydrogen infrastructure development, policy support, and investment in fuel cell technologies.

2. Chevron Invests in Hydrogen Production and Infrastructure

Although Chevron is most commonly known as a titan of the natural oil and gas industry, it has also begun to invest in sustainable solutions, with an eye for hydrogen technologies. With experience in operating complex refineries and drilling activities, Chevron is ideally positioned to capitalize on the hydrogen future.

In recent years, Chevron has announced a spate of hydrogen-focused endeavors, including:

In 2021, Chevron’s Corporate Sustainability Report pledged to invest $8 billion dollars in lower carbon investments by 2028, including hydrogen, carbon capture, and offsets.
In 2023, Chevron—and other key players—announced the founding of a consortium to develop a large-scale hydrogen hub along the U.S. Gulf Coast, dubbed HyVelocity Hub. The project would include both production and transportation infrastructure.
In 2023, Chevron became the majority equity holder (50%) in Raven SR, a renewable fuels company that is now a subsidiary of Chevron and Hyzon Motors Inc. It plans to commercialize operations of a green waste-to-hydrogen production facility in Northern California that “uses a non-combustion thermal, chemical reductive process that converts organic waste and landfill gas to hydrogen and Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuels.”

3. Hyundai’s Holistic Approach to Hydrogen Integration

As a founding member of the Hydrogen Council, Hyundai Motor Group is committed to its Hydrogen Vision 2040, making hydrogen energy available to ‘Everyone, Everything and Everywhere’.

Hyundai isn’t just focused on hydrogen-powered vehicles. Their goal is much larger—integrating hydrogen into all aspects of society from transport to industry. To that end, some of their recent investments include:

Hydrogen and Humanity (HTWO) Brand – Hyundai established a business brand specifically created to grow the global hydrogen ecosystem and further develop its fuel cell business. A major part of this involves pushing the boundaries of hydrogen fuel cell use, extending its reach to marine transport, regional air mobility, power generation, and hydrogen trams.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Development – Hyundai is also a leading provider in commercial hydrogen-powered vehicles, including the NEXO SUV, Elec City Fuel Cell bus, and XCIENT Fuel Cell heavy-duty truck.
Hydrogen-powered applications – Hyundai is also moving into industrial-level equipment, developing hydrogen forklifts, electric trams, and power generators.
Strategic partnerships – Hyundai has established and continues to develop alliances with global hydrogen, energy, and logistics companies to fast-track global hydrogen development.

California Partnerships and Collaborations in the Hydrogen Ecosystem

The Golden State has become a hotspot for hydrogen collaborations, with California emerging as a key player in the evolution of the hydrogen ecosystem.

In 2022, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development announced the formation of the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES)—a public-private partnership designed to accelerate hydrogen’s contribution to decarbonizing the state and country. A key action of ARCHES was to apply to bring a statewide Department of Energy H2 hub to California.

In parallel to these government-led initiatives, private sector companies have also taken up the mantle, with strategic alliances that seek to establish hydrogen hubs across the state. A prime example of this partnership took place in 2021 when FASTECH partnered with Toyota and FuelCell Energy to establish the Shell HDV Hydrogen Refueling Station in Long Beach, CA.

This groundbreaking initiative aimed to develop a robust hydrogen infrastructure to facilitate the transition to zero-emission transport. The station, which is connected to the smaller LDV refueling station on the Toyota Logistics Services property, is a key center for hydrogen fuel provision. Not only does it provide fast and efficient refueling for heavy-duty and light vehicles, but it also showcases the promise of hydrogen energy logistics.

Notably, the site directly connects to the neighboring FuelCell Energy Tri-Generation Plant, reducing the need for truck-supplied hydrogen and increasing station uptime. This achievement symbolizes an important step in making hydrogen a viable and reliable fuel alternative.

Additionally, as noted above, Raven SR is another promising hydrogen-based endeavor that could inspire further investment in the near future. Its patented process is able to produce a hydrogen-rich synthetic gas at a high volume of output per ton of input.

Hydrogen Partnerships as Bridgebuilders in the Fuel Ecosystem

As the race for sustainable energy solutions intensifies, hydrogen emerges as the front-runner. In response, automakers and energy providers across the globe are working to harness hydrogen's potential. But there's still a gap between its potential and widespread adoption. This is where FASTECH steps in.

By leveraging technical expertise and strategic partnerships, like the Port of Long Beach Facility, FASTECH is helping to drive the hydrogen revolution forward, bringing us closer to a sustainable energy future one hydrogen project at a time.

Sources:

CNBC. Toyota plans to roll out hydrogen fuel-cell trucks for the Japanese market next year.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/21/toyota-plans-to-develop-light-duty-hydrogen-fuel-cell-trucks.html

Green Car Reports. Toyota Will Make Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Modules in the US Starting in 2023. https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1133367_toyota-will-make-hydrogen-fuel-cell-modules-in-the-us-starting-in-2023

Chevron. 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report. https://www.chevron.com/-/media/shared-media/documents/chevron-sustainability-report-2021.pdf

Chevron. Hydrogen hub proposed for US gulf coast. https://www.chevron.com/newsroom/2023/q1/hydrogen-hub-proposed-for-us-gulf-coast

PR Newswire. Raven SR, Chevron and Hyzon Motors Collaborate to Produce Hydrogen from Green Waste in Northern California. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raven-sr-chevron-and-hyzon-motors-collaborate-to-produce-hydrogen-from-green-waste-in-northern-california-301716237.html

Hydrogen Council. Hyundai Motor Group’s Hydrogen Vision 2040 – Carbon neutrality solution via an energy paradigm shift. https://hydrogencouncil.com/en/hyundai-motor-groups-hydrogen-vision-2040-carbon-neutrality-solution-via-an-energy-paradigm-shift/

Engadget. Honda will start US production of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in 2024. https://www.engadget.com/honda-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicle-cr-v-us-production-date-171022280.html

PV Magazine. The Hydrogen Stream: Airbus, Honda bet on hydrogen-powered fuel cells. https://www.pv-magazine.com/2022/12/02/the-hydrogen-stream-airbus-honda-bet-on-hydrogen-powered-fuel-cells/