Energy leaders focused on developing low carbon economies in Arizona, the Navajo Nation, and Nevada have joined forces to develop a regional clean hydrogen hub, the Southwest Clean Hydrogen Innovation Network, or “SHINe”.
On November 7, as its first step in developing the hub, SHINe submitted a concept paper to seek federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for key clean hydrogen-focused initiatives including production, processing, storage, and delivery systems, community benefits, and other enabling infrastructure, according to a blog post.
Once fully operational, SHINe will help support DOE’s vision of a regional clean hydrogen hub that provides clean energy for the hard to abate carbon emissions in the transportation, industrial, and electricity sectors while maintaining a reliable and resilient electric grid. SHINe will also work to create economic development opportunities in the region.
Arizona, the Navajo Nation, and Nevada are in the nation’s sunniest region, with significant available undeveloped land and abundant clean energy resources. Arizona also has the nation’s largest nuclear power plant producing 100% carbon-free electricity, and energy providers committed to reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Arizona also has world-class universities, established clean energy and clean hydrogen companies, and a healthy environment for innovation and start-ups.
The Navajo Nation is one of the largest tribes in the U.S., has a land base larger than West Virginia, and is transitioning to a clean energy economy. Nevada is an early investor in clean hydrogen infrastructure, which will be necessary to integrate more hydrogen-fueled vehicles. These resources, along with the region’s proximity to California, will contribute to decarbonizing the region and ultimately the entire U.S, the release states.
SHINe includes more than forty member organizations with expertise and operations throughout the region, including cities, clean energy companies, gas producing companies, non-profits, transit companies, universities, utilities, and others including the following:
- Air Liquide USA LLC
- Arizona Commerce Authority
- Arizona Public Service
- Arizona Solar Energy Industries Association (AriSEIA)
- Arizona State University
- EDF-RE
- Elemental Resources
- First Mode
- Hyve 1
- Linde Inc.
- Navajo Nation
- NextEra Energy Resources LLC
- Nevada Governor’s Office of Energy
- Northern Arizona University
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Phoenix Hydrogen
- Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
- Salt River Project
- SidePorch Consulting LLC
- Southwest Gas
- Tucson Electric Power
- University of Arizona
- University of Nevada Las Vegas
- Vopak New Energies
