Hydrogen Forward Coalition Launched to Advance US Hydrogen Development

February 2, 2021

By Joanna Sampson
H2 View

A combination of 11 proven heavyweights and progressive innovators in energy have joined forces to form a new coalition focused on advancing hydrogen development in the US.

Hydrogen Forward, comprising Air Liquide, Anglo American, Bloom Energy, CF Industries, Chart Industries, Cummins Inc., Hyundai, Linde, McDermott, Shell and Toyota, believe that accelerating investment in hydrogen will help the US deliver on its climate goals while creating a stronger economy with new, good-paying jobs.

The initiative – which represents companies invested in all links of the hydrogen value chain from source to service – is focused on showcasing hydrogen’s unique value proposition among Washington, D.C. policymakers and other stakeholders to decisively accelerate adoption of hydrogen solutions and related infrastructure build-out across the nation.

Today, members of the Hydrogen Forward coalition are making significant domestic investments and driving specific projects across the nation to bring these technologies to scale.

From the manufacturing and sale of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to supporting the fueling stations that keep FCEVs moving, Hydrogen Forward members are on the leading edge of transportation innovation.

Likewise, member company hydrogen storage solutions and partnerships with local utility companies are helping to harness renewable energy and decarbonize the power generation sector.

However, lack of systemic policy support for hydrogen risks to derail these efforts. While Europe and East Asia have committed to investing hundreds of billions of dollars into hydrogen solutions, the US is the only major market without a national hydrogen strategy.

The coalition says a comprehensive approach is critical because it provides a much-needed framework to enable fast, large-scale adoption.

Commentary

“With the world changing at a rapid pace, we need smart climate solutions to tackle our generation’s greatest challenges,” said Michael Graff, Chairman and CEO American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. and Executive Vice-President of Air Liquide Group.

“Air Liquide and our Hydrogen Forward partners believe hydrogen, and its various applications, is one of the solutions we need to power a sustainable future that benefits our global society.”

Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American Platinum, commented, “Anglo American is a longstanding supporter of the hydrogen economy, and we are committed to helping unlock hydrogen’s full potential in tackling global energy challenges.”

“We must embrace hydrogen if we are to meet our ambitious decarbonisation goals,” said KR Sridhar, founder, Chairman, and CEO of Bloom Energy.

“Hydrogen will enable the world to harness our abundant and affordable renewable energy and make it reliable and resilient to meet the needs of our digital world.”

“The world needs clean energy and we believe green hydrogen and ammonia will be critical to meeting this need,” commented Tony Will, President and CEO of CF Industries.

“Now is the time to come together to accelerate the path to the hydrogen solutions that will allow our society to make significant progress decarbonising key industries.”

Jillian Evanko, President and CEO of Chart Industries, said, “We believe hydrogen will be a key part of the clean energy transition, and our products make it possible for hydrogen to be used in delivery trucks, forklifts, cars, power generation, and even aerospace.”

Tom Linebarg, Cummins’ Chairman, commented, “There has never been a better time for governments and businesses around the world to invest in hydrogen technologies and infrastructure.

“As our society recovers from the economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to rebuild our economy by investing in hydrogen solutions to drive economic growth, create jobs, and shape the future of energy and transportation.”

“In the advent of a clean transportation revolution, hydrogen fuel cell technologies are driving a modern era that prioritizes innovation, human progress and sustainability,” said Jose Munoz, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America.

“As we work towards achieving a carbon-neutral future, the US has the opportunity to help decarbonise large sectors of the global supply chain while stimulating the US economy by investing in hydrogen,” said Steve Angel, CEO of Linde.

David Dickson, President and CEO of McDermott, commented, “Hydrogen technologies represent a necessary pathway to reduce emissions and harness clean energy now – not just in the future.”

“We believe building the foundation for a more sustainable future starts by working together and investing in, and scaling up, existing technologies to reduce our environmental footprint at a global scale.”

“From heating our homes, towns and businesses to powering our cars, trucks and buses, hydrogen technologies have the potential to transform our everyday lives,” said Doug Murtha, Group Vice-President, Toyota Motor North America.

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