Maddie Hall of Innovation Platform interviewed Dr Sunita Satyapal, director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Agency, discussing the possibilities of hydrogen technology to advance this field and the office’s current initiatives.
As the need for energy solutions becomes more and more clear, hydrogen fuel cell technology is emerging as a promising path for energy security. These technologies have the potential to transform transportation, industrial processes and power generation.
Great progress in development, production and deployment is required to fully realize their profits. The U.S. Department of Energy plays a key role in this transition, leading innovative initiatives to promote hydrogen technology. With a focus on targeted funding, strategic partnerships and research and development, the department sets the stage for a hydrogen-driven future.
Maddie Hall of Innovation Platform spoke with Dr Sunita Satyapal, director of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Agency.
Can you provide an overview of the major projects undertaken by the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office?
The Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology office manages hundreds of projects, including the entire project pipeline. Our research focuses include hydrogen production, delivery, storage, fuel cell technology, safety codes, standards, and workforce development and community involvement.
Additionally, he is engaged in system development and integration activities that involve demonstrating pre-commercial technologies to mitigate risk. Technological advances such as electrolyzers have been demonstrated by integrating nuclear power with renewable energy sources.
Over a decade ago, we established a strategy to create a national lab-led consortium and provided essential funding to support these initiatives. One notable initiative is the 1 million miles of fuel cell truck consortium aimed at ensuring the commercial viability of robust vehicles hydrogen fuel cell trucks specifically for long distance transportation. Achieving 1 million miles over the operating lifespan is a critical requirement, highlighting the need for a durable system with a long lifespan in addition to an extended operating range.
Why is the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology so important? So far, can you share some potential applications and technology success stories?
Since 2004, our funding has led to the issuance of over 1,000 US patents resulting from the research and development projects we have supported. This includes around 30 commercial technologies, including catalysts, membranes and electrolyzers, and an additional 65 technologies expected to be commercialized in the near future.
One notable success story that is interesting to highlight is the early investment in hydrogen fuel cell forklifts that operate with zero emissions in warehouse environments. Today there are around 70,000 commercial hydrogen fuel cell forklifts operated by major companies such as Amazon and Walmart, showing how government funding can drive market breakthroughs.
Another exciting new initiative we are taking on in partnership with the Department of Defense is the H2 Rescue Fuel Cell Truck. The truck is designed for disaster relief and recently set a Guinness world record for the longest distance traveled in a hydrogen-powered vehicle (traveling 1,806 miles in a single tank of hydrogen). This alternative to diesel trucks that emit only water vapor can provide up to 72 hours of power at 25 kilowatts without refueling, giving it a great possibility to provide power in critical situations.
What barriers have you overcome in the development of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies?
First and foremost, cost remains one of the biggest challenges. We are actively pursuing initiatives to reduce these costs. In the case of hydrogen production, our goal is to reach $1 per kilogram per hydrogen, especially within 10 years, by 2031. Currently, hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources through electrolysis costs between $5-$7 per kilogram. Reducing costs across all aspects of technology (production, delivery, storage, fuel cells) is one of the most important barriers that need to be overcome. Government funding plays a key role in achieving this as it allows investment in the private sector. This has benefited commercialization and market success.
Furthermore, the key challenge is to ensure the demand for hydrogen. It is essential to not only focus on improving production, but also to strengthen deployment and stimulate market demand for various sectors. Ultimately, these technologies need to be expanded to achieve authentic commercial viability.
How are hydrogen and fuel cell technologies contributing to the US goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving energy security?
The US National Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap incorporates open public comments and substantial stakeholder inputs, indicating the possibility that the US will produce 50 million tonnes of hydrogen by 2050 and 2040, when the interim target was established.
What kind of innovations and advances are you most excited about in the near future? How do you envision the role of hydrogen and fuel cells that will evolve in the US energy landscape after 2030?
Choosing your favorite among so many initiatives is like choosing your favorite child. But we are passionate about every aspect of our work. Each sector, including hydrogen production and electrolysis innovation, has made great strides, especially as it concludes ongoing projects. Furthermore, emerging regions such as geological hydrogen, often referred to as natural hydrogen, are quite promising. The Office of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology coordinates efforts from the Department of Energy (DOE) and other agencies as a whole, through the Inter-Hydrogen Inter-Air Task Force. It also works with other institutions to explore geological hydrogen opportunities.
Regarding end-use, fuel cell technology has generated great interest in robust transportation, where long operating range and rapid fuel capacity are important, especially in robust transportation. We have observed significant advancements in the fuel cells we funded. In particular, I recently started the L’Innovator program. This focuses on accelerating the relocation of DOE Lab Technology to the commercial sector. The program aims to connect resources with market-ready products by working with industry partners to fund new technologies to meet market demand and ensure a clear path to commercialization.
Through the million-million-mile fuel truck consortium, our research has produced catalysts that exceeded our expectations. This catalyst delivers an impressive output of 2.5 kilowatts per gram of platinum, characterized by specific performance metrics and cost targets. We currently provide this technology, along with its associated intellectual property, for licensing to the industry. This advancement could significantly enhance the technologies involved.
One of our previous initiatives has partnered with National Lab Technology to establish an Innovator Pilot to mitigate risk. The $2 million investment inspired an impressive $160 million from the private sector towards establishing a catalyst and fuel cell manufacturing facility, demonstrating the effectiveness of the support.
The industry’s outlook is very positive, and the market is growing significantly, especially with the installation of electrolyzers. Since 2021, we have recorded a 25x increase in these installations. It recorded 4.5 gigawatts planned or currently ongoing in the US compared to just 0.17 gigawatts in 2021.
In conclusion, a combination of significant advances in hydrogen technology, robust policy support, substantial investments and dedicated research will enable the US hydrogen industry to emerge as a global leader. As these factors come together, the growth and innovation possibilities for this sector pave the way for an energy future, benefiting both the economy and the environment.
This article is based on an interview with Dr Sunita Satyapal on January 10, 2025, and has since retired from the Department of Energy as director of the Department of Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.
This article will also be featured in the 22nd edition of Quarterly Publication.
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