US hydrogen glassmaking plan moves step closer

A plan for hydrogen-powered glassmaking in the USA has moved a step closer.

A coalition consisting of glassmakers as well as energy providers has submitted a full application for federal funding.

The Great Lakes Clean Hydrogen Hub coalition (GLCH) submitted the application for funding from the $8 billion U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) programme to support the creation of regional clean hydrogen hubs under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

GLCH's full application details a $2 billion plan to create a clean hydrogen hub to serve Ohio, Michigan, and portions of Pennsylvania and Indiana.

The proposed hub will use carbon-free nuclear power to produce clean hydrogen at a competitive cost.

It has a well-defined scope, is commercially feasible, and will use proven production technologies to minimise the time required to achieve full production of 100+ metric tonnes of hydrogen per day.

Among the members of the coalition is the Glass Manufacturing Industry Council (GMIC) which represents US glass producers.

GLCH is led by Linde, as the prime applicant, and includes Energy Harbor, Cleveland-Cliffs, GE Aerospace, the University of Toledo, as well as the GMIC.

GLCH includes diverse companies with ‘shovel-ready’ opportunities to replace fossil fuels with clean hydrogen.

It has been working with the states of Ohio and Michigan, technology suppliers, hydrogen consumers, state and regional academic institutions, national laboratories, and nonprofit organizations.

GLCH's application includes letters of support from local unions, educational institutions, community organizations, economic development organisations, as well as local, state, and federal government officials.