The HBS Institute for the Study of Business in Global Society checked in with Gunther Glenk at Harvard Business School to put the announcement in perspective. Glenk is one of six Climate Fellows conducting research at BiGS, or the HBS Institute for the Study of Business in Global Society.
His research focuses on how corporations can credibly transition toward net-zero emissions, incorporating business economics, public policy, climate and engineering science.
“In the transition to a decarbonized energy economy, hydrogen is increasingly considered to be crucial for storing and flexibly delivering large amounts of clean energy,” Glenk told BiGS. “Widespread adoption of clean hydrogen, however, will depend on significant advances in hydrogen technology.
“These newly announced hydrogen hubs will provide critical support to accelerate a virtuous cycle of innovation, cost reduction, and adoption,” he added. “The setup of these hubs also aligns the U.S. with efforts in other jurisdictions around the world, including China and the European Union.”
If successful, a thriving hydrogen network could help make carbon-intensive industries such as steel, cement, chemicals, and heavy duty transportation more sustainable.
The hubs receiving the awards span the Pacific Northwest to Appalachia, reaching states such as California, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and West Virginia, according to reports and federal statements.
Can $7 billion boost the USA’s clean hydrogen effort?
Credit: Harvard Business School