Hydrogen (H2) will play an important role in developing sustainable transportation in the United States, because in the future it may be produced in virtually unlimited quantities using renewable resources. Hydrogen has been used effectively in a number of internal combustion engine vehicles as pure hydrogen mixed with natural gas. In addition, hydrogen is used in a growing number of demonstration fuel cell vehicles.
Fuel cell vehicles use electricity produced from an electrochemical reaction that takes place when hydrogen and oxygen are combined in the fuel cell “stack.” The production of electricity using fuel cells takes place without combustion or pollution and leaves only two byproducts: heat and water.
Hydrogen Links
- Hydrogen Basics offers the basics about hydrogen as a fuel from the Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuel Data Center.
- Fuel Cell Fact Sheet presents a downloadable overview by the Department of Energy on how fuel cells work
- Hydrogen Production Fact Sheet presents another downloadable overview by DOE on the specifics of hydrogen production
Local Initiatives
Oklahoma has partnered with Arkansas and Louisiana in forming the Halo Hydrogen Hub to advance the region’s competitiveness in the development and deployment of hydrogen technologies. This partnership is comprised of a diverse network of public and private stakeholders representing the future of hydrogen production, transport, storage, and utilization. From all parts of the hydrogen value chain from feedstock and production to transportation, storage, and end-use, this regional effort aims to secure transformative investments and increase adoption to lower costs and emissions. Additionally, Halo Hub is committed to support meaningful community and labor engagement, invest in America’s workforce, advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, and contribute to the nation’s Justice40 Initiative.
Hydrogen Task Force was created under Senate Bill 1021 in 2021 to identify opportunities for building out Oklahoma’s ecosystem for hydrogen production and use. The culmination of the research and stakeholder engagement undertaken by task force members, including the State Secretaries of Transportation and Energy & Environment, resulted in a comprehensive report outlining the state’s potential to be a leader in the hydrogen space.
Oklahoma’s Hydrogen Economy
- Based out of Catoosa in the Tulsa metro, H2 Compressors is a leading provider of hydrogen compressor solutions. They offer both compressors and the Hyspenser dispensers along with safety technologies and a suite of other services to support transitions to hydrogen.
- A leading Australian energy producer, Woodside Energy announced a modular hydrogen facility for Ardmore, Oklahoma. Referred to as H2OK, this site will use electrolyzing technologies to produce green hydrogen from renewable energy and water.
- An innovator in hydrogen solutions, BayoTech manufacturers its HyFill hydrogen transport trailers in Tulsa. These high-pressure transport trailers lead the industry in payload capacity and safety and help support motive and stationary fuel cell applications.