Cliffs Puts Steel Behind Proposed Midwest Hydrogen Hub

GLCH has proposed to develop low-carbon hydrogen via electrolysis at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Oak Harbor, Ohio, the coalition said. Hydrogen would then be distributed across the Great Lakes region by pipeline and road transportation.

Out of 79 projects, it was one of 33 encouraged by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to go to the full application process.

“Total project investment is expected to exceed $2 billion, with 50% requested from federal infrastructure funding managed by the DOE’s regional clean hydrogen hub initiative,” GLCH said in a statement.

The coalition said it was working with the states of Ohio and Michigan, technology suppliers, hydrogen consumers, state and regional academic institutions, national laboratories, and non-profit organizations to develop a clean energy hydrogen hub to serve Ohio, Michigan, and portions of Pennsylvania and Indiana.

The approach will supplement hydrogen produced using nuclear power with clean hydrogen produced through solar energy projects under development in the region, the coalition said.

GLCH noted this proposal addresses decarbonization in the steel, aviation, and glass industries, while supporting the transition to hydrogen transit in buses and other vehicles. 

Besides Cliffs, GLCH is composed of Linde, Energy Harbor, GE Aerospace, the University of Toledo, and the Glass Manufacturing Industry Council.

The US aims to build several regional hydrogen hubs.

Minnesota is joining forces with North Dakota, Montana, and Wisconsin to develop the Heartland Hydrogen Hub. US Steel, meanwhile, has partnered with Equinor US Holdings Inc. and Shell US Gas and Power LLC to establish a clean energy hub in the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia tri-state area.

By Ethan Bernard, Ethan@SteelMarketUpdate.com