The Chemours Company and TC Energy are partnering on two electrolysis-based hydrogen production facilities at or near Chemours’ Washington Works and Belle manufacturing sites in West Virginia.
The agreement supports the companies’ participation in the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2). ARCH2 brings together producers, end-users, technology experts and the necessary infrastructure to advance the production, use and delivery of hydrogen energy in West Virginia and Appalachia.
The companies plan to develop, construct and operate clean hydrogen production facilities and associated infrastructure. The proposed development includes using established proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers manufactured in America and utilizing Chemours’ Nafion ion exchange membranes.
According to Chemours, a non-binding off-take agreement for hydrogen produced by the project would be executed, supporting the facility demands of Chemours. Additionally, hydrogen produced in excess of the off-take agreement would be stored and available for loading and shipment to nearby merchant users.
“We look forward to moving these potential projects forward as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s call for regional clean hydrogen hub submissions alongside the state and seeing how they can assist us in reaching our bold greenhouse gas reduction goal,” said Jonathan Lock, senior vice president, chief development officer at Chemours, in a recent press release.
Clean hydrogen, made using renewable energy to power electrolyzers to convert water, has grown in demand to meet decarbonization goals. In the industrial sector, hydrogen is a promising option for hard-to-abate CO2 emissions, says Alan Rossiter in an article for Chemical Processing.