Joining renewables and other resources, hydrogen now seems poised to take its place as one of the world’s leading sources of fuel in the new energy economy.

In July 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced major funding of a project in California to build out what will become one of several Hydrogen Hubs across the United States. The Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) hub will facilitate a network of clean, renewable hydrogen production sites throughout the state.

ARCHES is a statewide initiative to accelerate renewable hydrogen projects and the necessary infrastructure. Its membership is comprised of over 400 groups from industries, labor, government and communities committed to helping build out the state’s hydrogen energy infrastructure.

ARCHES projects will span California, covering the full hydrogen life cycle from production to use, including renewable hydrogen production, fuel cell cargo-handling equipment at the ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and Oakland, over 60 hydrogen fueling stations for heavy-duty trucks and transit buses, converting major power plants to 100% renewable hydrogen, and a hydrogen-powered Scripps Marine research vessel.

The agreement between ARCHES and the DOE calls for $12.6 billion, including up to $1.2 billion from the DOE and $11.4 billion in public and private matching funds, to build and expand clean energy infrastructure across California. It is projected to create over 220,000 well-paying jobs.

ARCHES is one of seven hydrogen hub projects across the country, selected for investment by the DOE last October. ARCHES is the first of these hubs to officially sign their agreement with the DOE.

The remaining six include the Appalachian Hydrogen Hub, the Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub, the Heartland Hydrogen Hub, the Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub, the Midwest Hydrogen Hub and the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub.