Arizona energy players join hydrogen research partnership

Four energy companies active in Arizona have joined an academic partnership to unlock the benefits of hydrogen and help achieve carbon neutrality in the US state by 2050, the coalition said on May 12.

Southwest Gas, Tucson Electric Power, Salt River Project and Arizona Public Service have joined the initiative, and will work alongside three local colleges: University of Arizona, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University.

The partnership proposes to sponsor the launch of a new research centre to work on hydrogen-related strategies and solutions.  Once launched, the hub will aim to help regional players address hard-to-tackle carbon emissions, while also strengthening energy resilience in the power grid, transportation and industrial segments.

Clean energy hubs like Arizona's have access to guidance and funding under the US bipartisan law for regional initiatives, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into federal law in November 2021.

Arizona's hydrogen ecosystem will be connected through the hub, linking up hydrogen producers, key consumers and infrastructure providers to help sync supply with demand and ensure enough hydrogen is kept in storage.

Susan Gray, president and CEO of Tucson Electric Power, said: "The development of a regional clean hydrogen hub could provide critical support for our ongoing transition to a cleaner, cleaner grid.

"We are looking forward to working together to turn this vision into real, sustainable growth for Arizona’s economy.”