May 6, 2024
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) published its Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP), a detailed strategy and planning document that will help guide clean hydrogen innovation and research in the coming years. The MYPP sets forth HFTO's mission, goals, and strategic approach relative to broader DOE and national clean energy priorities.
The Multi-Year Program Plan (MYPP) outlines the mission, objectives, and strategic direction of the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) in relation to the broader clean energy goals of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It is aligned with the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap and identifies the key challenges that must be addressed to unlock the full potential of clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The plan details how HFTO's research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities will address these challenges over the short, medium, and long term.
Key points from the document include:
Mission and Vision: HFTO aims to enable affordable clean hydrogen and fuel cell technologies as part of a broader strategy to build a sustainable, resilient, and equitable clean energy economy.
Strategic Importance of Clean Hydrogen: The plan emphasizes clean hydrogen's role in decarbonizing sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy transportation and industrial processes. It outlines strategies for increasing hydrogen production, improving infrastructure, and reducing costs to make clean hydrogen competitive.
Technical Goals and Targets: Specific technical targets for hydrogen production, fuel cell performance, and cost reduction are detailed. These include reducing the cost of hydrogen production to $1 per kilogram by 2031 and improving the efficiency and durability of electrolyzers and fuel cells.
Challenges and Barriers: The plan identifies challenges across the hydrogen value chain, including technology costs, performance, scale-up, and the need for improved safety and standards.
Program Implementation: HFTO's approach includes funding research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) through various mechanisms and collaborating with industry, academia, and other government agencies.
Impact of Previous Investments: The document also highlights the successes and impacts of HFTO's past investments, including significant cost reductions in hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies, which have helped advance the commercialization of these technologies.
Future Plans and Priorities: Looking forward, HFTO plans to focus on scaling up technologies, expanding infrastructure, and continuing to drive down costs through innovation and strategic partnerships.
This plan serves as a roadmap for advancing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies as part of the U.S. government's broader clean energy and climate goals.
View the document below and learn more here.