§ 16161d. Clean hydrogen electrolysis program

Electrolysis

The term “electrolysis” means a process that uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Electrolyzer

The term “electrolyzer” means a system that produces hydrogen using electrolysis.

Program

The term “program” means the program established under subsection (b).

to reduce the cost of hydrogen produced using electrolyzers to less than $2 per kilogram of hydrogen by 2026; and

any other goals the Secretary determines are appropriate.

to demonstrate technologies that produce clean hydrogen using electrolyzers; and

to validate information on the cost, efficiency, durability, and feasibility of commercial deployment of the technologies described in paragraph (1).

low-temperature electrolyzers, including liquid-alkaline electrolyzers, membrane-based electrolyzers, and other advanced electrolyzers, capable of converting intermittent sources of electric power to clean hydrogen with enhanced efficiency and durability;

high-temperature electrolyzers that combine electricity and heat to improve the efficiency of clean hydrogen production;

advanced reversible fuel cells that combine the functionality of an electrolyzer and a fuel cell;

new highly active, selective, and durable electrolyzer catalysts and electro-catalysts that—

modular electrolyzers for distributed energy systems and the bulk-power system (as defined in section 824o(a) of title 16);

low-cost membranes or electrolytes and separation materials that are durable in the presence of impurities or seawater;

improved component design and material integration, including with respect to electrodes, porous transport layers and bipolar plates, and balance-of-system components, to allow for scale-up and domestic manufacturing of electrolyzers at a high volume;

clean hydrogen storage technologies;

technologies that integrate hydrogen production with—

integrated systems that combine hydrogen production with renewable power or nuclear power generation technologies, including hybrid systems with hydrogen storage.

Grants

In carrying out the program, the Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities for projects that the Secretary determines would provide the greatest progress toward achieving the goal of the program described in subsection (c).

Contracts and cooperative agreements

In carrying out the program, the Secretary may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with eligible entities and Federal agencies for projects that the Secretary determines would further the purpose of the program described in subsection (b).

Eligibility; applications