Explained: how California is creating a global hydrogen blockbuster

California has been celebrated in song, film and through technology - and now hydrogen is adding to the state’s globally recognised assets as it develops as a National Hydrogen Hub.

The California Hydrogen Convention in May will consolidate the fuel’s fast evolving significance on the US west coast and help define a roadmap to where this energy carrier, fuel and chemical feedstock could lead California, the nation, and their collective influence beyond.

What is driving California to lead the US hydrogen ecosystem?

The state identified and emphasised economic opportunities associated with building a hydrogen economy, including job creation and innovation. The largest economy in the US already boasts the country’s largest hydrogen fuel network amid the state’s bold climate objectives to reach 100% renewable power by 2045.

Hydrogen is viewed as a key component of this transition, as a method of storing and distributing renewable and low-carbon power. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $8 billion for the development of regional clean hydrogen hubs as part of the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Programme.

California’s Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), a public-private partnership, negotiated US Department of Energy (DOE) funding to implement a hub. It will create a sustainable statewide renewable, clean hydrogen market and ecosystem in California and beyond.

How is California’s hydrogen infrastructure shaping up?

Up to $1.2 billion from the DOE will accelerate development and deployment of clean renewable hydrogen, empowering the hydrogen-friendly policies of California state legislators. Indeed, as a whole, 2024 is a critical year for the hydrogen sector with the announced Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program (H2Hubs) which will provide up to $7 billion to establish seven regional clean hydrogen hubs across America - including spurring the growth of a robust hydrogen market in California.

Extensive plans include production facilities, distribution networks, and refueling stations - 200 are targeted for next year - all supportive of widespread adoption. The state’s role as a leading hydrogen hub identifies a multitude of available end uses.

Up to $1.2 billion from the DOE will accelerate development and deployment of clean renewable hydrogen, empowering the hydrogen-friendly policies of California state legislators. Extensive plans include production facilities, distribution networks, and refueling stations - 200 are targeted for next year - all supportive of widespread adoption.

While the California Air Resource Board’s 2022 Scoping Plan estimated requirement for a 1,700x increase in clean hydrogen to attain carbon neutrality by 2045, California Governor Gavin Newson identified clean hydrogen as a priority decarbonisation option and is confident of his state’s place in the hydrogen ecosystem. “We are moving from concept to reality - advancing clean, renewable hydrogen in California, which is essential to meeting our climate goals,” he added.

Existing vast renewable resources, industrial capacities and business expertise are also seen as making California an attractive potential supplier to energy import-dependent economies already exploring hydrogen imports.

What other opportunities have been identified for Californian hydrogen?

Industry decorbonisation, transportation, power generation, fertiliser production, and energy security all present incentives. The World Resources Institute says hydrogen is sometimes referred to as the Swiss Army Knife of climate solutions due to its potential to replace fossil fuels in multiple sectors.

It can also reduce import dependance, not least through diversification of energy sources. And California Senator Alex Padilla views clean hydrogen production as “essential to fully decorbonise” the region’s industries while fostering “clean every job growth”.

What are the implications of California being selected as a National Hydrogen Hub?

California will receive up to $1.2 billion from the US Department of Energy to accelerate the development and deployment of clean renewable hydrogen, critical to cutting pollution and expanding the clean energy economy statewide.

A statewide clean hydrogen hub is expected to generate nearly $3 billion per year in cost savings and create at least 220,000 new green roles in a boost to economic development.

With regards mobility, the state is pushing light-duty and medium/heavy-duty vehicles to transition to zero emission stock by 2045 and requires all new vehicles sold from 2035 be “zero-emission vehicles”; that’s battery electric, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen-powered fuel-cell vehicles.

More broadly, the DOE says California Hydrogen Hub will enable decarbonisation of the electric power sector by storing energy produced with renewables for later use, balancing the grid when renewable resources are limited and electricity demand high.

"Collaboration and partnerships are critical for the energy sector to embrace new opportunities that can help decarbonise while meeting the world’s growing demand for secure, affordable, sustainably produced energy. Industry events like the California Hydrogen Convention provide a great forum to share knowledge and showcase technologies and innovations to address the climate challenge and help reduce our impacts on air, land and water resources.”
- Nick Samain, Senior Vice President, dmg events

How is California elevating its place on the world hydrogen stage?

The May 29-30 California Hydrogen Convention will enable researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to connect and exchange information about hydrogen-related technologies, as well as research, policies, and market developments.

The tagline is “Leading America’s Hydrogen Future”; while the Los Angeles event will seek to secure the clean energy future for 39 million Californians, with much of the global hydrogen industry present the convention’s influence is set to run deeper and broader.

More than 1,000 companies, 100-plus expert speakers, and at least 50 global exhibitors will be present to help unlock California’s hydrogen potential while also adding momentum to the state’s prospect as a global clean energy leader on a path towards aggressive climate goals.

What can delegates, exhibitors and visitors at the inaugural California Hydrogen Convention expect?

The convention will bring together a diverse mix that includes leaders from government, industry, labour unions, through to national laboratories, and NGOs. It will highlight the latest technologies and services, alongside a strategic conference, in-depth technical sessions, and workshops that will help jump-start the market for renewable hydrogen and establish a powerful ecosystem.

The convention will focus on topics that include building or expanding hydrogen projects to serve power generation, public transportation, heavy-duty trucks, consumer vehicles, port operations, and other future applications to decarbonise and expand the clean-energy economy statewide.

Attendees can look forward to an exhibition showcasing the latest technologies and services, alongside an industry-leading strategic conference, in-depth technical sessions and workshops. There are expected to be 5,000 attendees, 200 exhibitors, and 150 expert speakers presenting over two days of the show. The event is expected to foster partnerships and facilitate business development for firms and organisations involved in hydrogen projects and policymaking.

• Click here to register and attend the inaugural edition of California Hydrogen Convention, taking place from May 29-30, 2024 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, United States