The 11th Annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day has been observed in the United States, with businesses being encouraged to consider hydrogen as a safe and cost-effective energy source.

The day is an initiative of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), to promote the environmental and economic benefits of hydrogen energy and fuel cell technologies.

The FCHEA represents nearly 100 US organisations advancing production, distribution, and use of innovative, clean, safe, and reliable hydrogen energy. 

The National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed each year on October 8, a reference to the atomic weight of hydrogen (1.008).

The FCHEA says this is an exciting time for the hydrogen sector with plenty of support from legislators.

“This has already been an incredible decade for the hydrogen sector as over the last two years Congress and the Biden Administration have supported the growth of the industry through critical financial provisions, research funds, and deployment programs,” the industry organisation states.

“The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law on November 15, 2021, includes USD9.5 billion for clean hydrogen-specific programs, including USD8 billion to deploy Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs.”

It adds the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law August 16, 2022, offers a wide array of tax credits and grant funding which it is hoped will drive investment and deployment across the industry. 

“Hydrogen is ready to meet the aspirations of all Americans and solve the problem of hard-to-decarbonise industries such as steel, chemical production, cement, aviation, long-haul trucking, and marine shipping,” FCHEA continues.

“Renewables alone cannot move these industries forward.

“By investing in low-carbon hydrogen production and use over the next 30 years, we all benefit.”