Battelle leads coalition for Appalachian clean hydrogen hub

Battelle is heading up an industry coalition across Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky to bring together producers, end users, technology experts and necessary infrastructure to advance production, use and delivery of hydrogen in Appalachia. Called ARCH2, the coalition also includes natural gas producer EQT Corp. and GTI Energy, as well as Allegheny Science & Technology (AST), a West Virginia energy technology consulting firm.

ARCH2 coalition intends to bring together stakeholders and infrastructure to advance hydrogen in the Appalachia region. (Photo: Battelle/Matt Vaughn)

The ARCH2 team is also composed of entities with operations across the region spanning the hydrogen value chain as well as energy technology organizations, including the National Energy Technology Laboratory, consultants, academic institutions, community organizations and NGOs that will provide commercial, technical and programmatic leadership for the development and buildout of a hydrogen hub.

The Appalachia region is considered an ideal location for a clean hydrogen hub, said Battelle. It includes the critical infrastructure required for low-cost natural gas production and storage, existing pipelines and transportation networks and vast end-use markets across Appalachia, as well proximity to end-use markets in the Midwest and Northeast. In addition, the region has a highly skilled energy workforce and support from labor organizations, environmental non-profits, academic institutions and community stakeholders — all of which will be integral to project development and associated job retention and creation.

Ohio recently became the latest state to join the ARCH2 coalition. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and other leaders from the state expressed support for ARCH2 efforts, which are anticipated to be a major economic and environmental investment that will benefit the entire region.

“The Ohio Chamber of Commerce is proud to support the proposal for funding ARCH2,” said Ohio Chamber CEO Steve Stivers. “Due to our vast natural resources and manufacturing opportunities, Ohio amplifies the impact of ARCH2 as a clean hydrogen hub. Converting carbon emissions into hydrogen is critical in our efforts to have both reliable and clean energy and in establishing the Buckeye State as a leader for next-generation hydrogen jobs.”

“The diversity of Ohio’s manufacturing industry that can utilize hydrogen as a fuel source is No. 1 in the Midwest, and natural gas production in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania is leading the U.S.,” added JobsOhio president and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “Collaborations with Ohio companies have led world-changing innovations for generations, making Ohio an ideal destination for this hydrogen hub.”

Additional support came from leaders of the Ohio Clean Hydrogen Hub Alliance (OH2Hub), which announced in October that it will actively participate in the campaign to establish and secure funding for ARCH2. The OH2Hub includes 200 public and private entities.

“ARCH2 will be a key foundational component of America’s transition toward decarbonization,” said Lou Von Thaer, Battelle president and CEO, “and we appreciate the support from the DeWine administration and leaders in our business community throughout the state.”