Illinois Tech Leads the Charge in Clean Hydrogen Development as Part of MachH2, Selected as a Regional Hub by the Department of Energy

CHICAGO—October 13, 2023—Today, the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2), a multistate private-public coalition comprising more than 70 clean energy leaders including Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech), was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) to develop a regional clean hydrogen production and distribution hub (H2Hub), as part of a $7 billion initiative funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act aimed at launching seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs) across the nation. 

Funded by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the H2Hubs will accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of clean hydrogen—helping generate clean, dispatchable power, create a new form of energy storage, and decarbonize heavy industry and transportation. Together, they will also reduce 25 million metric tons of carbon dioxide) emissions from end-uses each year—an amount roughly equivalent to combined annual emissions of 5.5 million gasoline-powered cars—and create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs across the country while supporting healthier communities and strengthening America’s energy security.

“This substantial funding from the federal government is a ringing endorsement of the innovative progress MachH2 is poised to make, and Illinois Tech is proud and thrilled to be part of this important investment in the future of green technology and clean energy,” said Illinois Tech Provost Kenneth T. Christensen. “As the only technology-focused university in Chicago, Illinois Tech is uniquely positioned to advance cutting-edge innovations and foster a skilled workforce for our sustainable energy future.”

Members of the alliance will combine resources and expertise to: 

• Leverage existing clean, zero-carbon energy resources and transportation infrastructure to establish hydrogen production and distribution at scale. 
• Incorporate extensive community engagement and advance public health, job growth and contribute to the administration’s Justice 40 objectives. 
• Advance hydrogen technology and infrastructure in collaboration with national labs, universities and top research and technology institutions. 
• Foster the creation and expansion of workforce development programs to support high-paying jobs produced by a clean energy economy. 
• Demonstrate the market demand and scalability of clean hydrogen to decarbonize the economy on a regional and national basis.

“This is a historic day for MachH2 and the entire Midwest,” said Dr. Dorothy Davidson, CEO of MachH2. “Our hub and the region bring an unparalleled supply of clean energy, significant regional hydrogen demand, heavy industry, and an ideal location at the crossroads of America – all of which was recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy’s selection of MachH2. Our hub will scale the production and delivery of abundant, reliable, and increasingly affordable clean hydrogen to support our national climate goals in the coming decade, all while creating jobs and lifting up underrepresented communities that have been overburdened by pollution.”

“I couldn’t be prouder that once again, Illinois and the Midwest will be leading the way in equity-conscious clean energy development through the construction of a major hydrogen production and distribution hub,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “When I signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in 2019, it was with this sort of collaborative, economically sound manufacturing and expansion in mind, and we are seeing the results of those efforts play out every day. We’re grateful that the Biden administration has recognized our regional strength in workforce, education, and innovation, and look forward to working with MachH2 and our neighboring states to continue this project.”

Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. When made with clean energy, it is an essential resource in meeting our nation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The hub will employ electrolysis technology to separate the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water. As an energy source, hydrogen does not emit carbon and can be used to reduce emissions from multiple difficult-to-decarbonize sectors of the economy, including aviation, steelmaking, agriculture, and long-haul transportation. 

Hydrogen projects already proposed by alliance members will support an estimated 4,500 construction jobs and 400 permanent positions once complete. Total construction spending is estimated at nearly $4 billion, including $1.7 billion in wages and $65 million to $70 million in state income taxes. The 400 permanent positions will generate an estimated $60 million in wages annually -- or roughly $900 million over the 15-year operating life of the projects – and an additional $35 million to $40 million in state income taxes. More projects may be added as the hub continues to develop, leading to further economic benefits for the region. 

“I congratulate the MachH2 team for a successful application and award from the U.S. Department of Energy, and Indiana is excited to partner with the MachH2 consortium,” Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “Indiana and the Midwest at large possesses all the components critical for a successful and inclusive hydrogen economy. Among them, Indiana’s world-class universities that offer leading research and development and create a highly skilled workforce ready to get to work building a new hydrogen ecosystem ripe for growth.”

“The Midwest is showing the nation that by working together, we can grow our economy, create good-paying jobs, and bring business investments to our region,” said Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Michigan is proud to work with our neighbors to build up our hydrogen industry and lead the future of the emerging clean energy sector. Michigan is leading the nation in clean energy and electric vehicle projects and jobs. With MachH2, we will continue reducing our emissions, improving public health outcomes, and building a brighter future for generations to come.”

Made up of more than 70 public and private entities representing every phase in the hydrogen value chain, MachH2 members are united in a shared vision to create an immediately scalable hydrogen hub in the Midwest that deploys the region’s abundant carbon-free energy to create a clean hydrogen economy and reduce emissions across multiple heavy emitting sectors. A list of alliance members is available here. 

When made with clean energy, hydrogen is an essential resource in meeting our nation’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. As an energy source, hydrogen does not emit carbon and can be used to reduce emissions from multiple difficult-to-decarbonize sectors of the economy, including steelmaking, manufacturing, aviation, agriculture, and long-haul transportation, among others. 

MachH2 submitted its full application to the DOE in April of this year. The hub anticipates the award negotiation period with the DOE to begin in the Winter of 2023-2024.

Illinois Institute of Technology

Based in the global metropolis of Chicago, Illinois Tech was born to liberate the power of collective difference to advance technology and progress for all. It is the only tech-focused university in the city, and it stands at the crossroads of exploration and invention, advancing the future of Chicago and the world. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, computing, architecture, business, design, science and human sciences, and law. Illinois Tech students are guaranteed hands-on experiences, personalized mentorship, and job readiness through the university's one-of-a-kind Elevate program. Its graduates lead the state and much of the nation in economic prosperity. Its faculty and alumni built the Chicago skyline. And every day in the living lab of the city, Illinois Tech fuels breakthroughs that change lives. Visit iit.edu.

MachH2 

MachH2 is a multi-state coalition of public and private entities representing every phase in the hydrogen value chain. The alliance includes a cross section of carbon-free energy producers, clean energy developers, hydrogen technology providers, utilities, major manufacturers, national labs and leading hydrogen technology development and deployment institutions, world-class universities, and groups focused on environmental justice. Learn more at MachH2.com.

Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) was established to accelerate clean energy technologies and fill a critical innovation gap on the path to achieving our nation’s climate goals of net zero emissions by 2050. OCED’s mission is to deliver clean energy demonstration projects at scale in partnership with the private sector to accelerate deployment, market adoption, and the equitable transition to a decarbonized energy system. Visit energy.gov/oced to learn more.

Media contacts

Petra Kelly
Communications Director
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cell: 773-771-1064
pkelly6@iit.edu 

Kevin Dollear
Communications Manager
Illinois Institute of Technology
Cell: 773-860-5712
kdollear@iit.edu

Jeff Philips
MachH2
jphilips@kivvit.com
(708) 299-4847