$1.2 Million Awarded To Four Clean Hydrogen Research and Development Projects

Projects To Demonstrate New Designs for Clean Hydrogen Electrolyzers to Lower Costs, Mitigate Supply Chain Risks, and Reduce Reliance on Fossil Fuels

January 23, 2025

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced more than $1.2 million has been awarded to four innovative clean hydrogen research and development (R&D) projects through the Advanced Fuels and Thermal Energy Research Program. The awarded projects will demonstrate new designs for clean hydrogen electrolyzers, devices that split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, that have the potential to lower costs, mitigate supply chain risks, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels in hard-to-electrify sectors, such as industrial operations or transportation.

NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, "NYSERDA is proud to support these federally supported clean hydrogen projects that show promise in advancing technology that can ensure reliability in bringing clean energy to the grid. At the same time, clean hydrogen has the potential to be a game-changer for reducing emissions and pollution from energy intensive industrial processes and transportation."

The projects were selected by NYSERDA through its Advanced Fuels and Thermal Energy Research Program, which over the years has supported clean fuel innovation projects to decarbonize industrial process heat, integrate clean fuel production with renewable energy, and demonstrate clean fuel power generation systems to support the grid. The awarded contracts announced today allow New York State companies to leverage a total of $18.3 million in federal funding announced by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in March 2024 for selected projects to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen systems. NYSERDA is providing funding to the four projects to meet the cost share requirements of the federal DOE awards.

The awarded projects include:

• Bettergy Corp., Peekskill, N.Y. awarded $167,000 to produce a more durable membrane that can be used to improve the performance and durability of anion exchange electrolyzer systems and to optimize the membrane's preparation processes to enable scale up.
• Ecolectro, Inc., Ithaca, N.Y. awarded $720,000 to develop membranes for electrolyzers using polymers that have rigid backbones, high thermal properties, and mechanical strength to improve the performance and durability of anion exchange membrane electrolyzer systems.
• Orion Polymer Corp., Cohoes, N.Y. awarded $200,000 to explore the development of highly conductive, chemically stable, and mechanically durable solid membranes to improve the performance and durability of anion exchange membrane electrolyzer systems.
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y. awarded $187,000 to develop novel low-fluorine polymer membranes which can help lower the costs and reduce the safety risks associated with hydrogen crossover in polymer exchange membrane electrolyzer systems.

Bettergy Corporation Chairman Lin-Feng Li said, "Bettergy Corp. is proud to have selected by NYSERDA to scale up its patented high-performance anion exchange membrane technology for the development of commercials scale advanced electrolyzer units. The innovative technology offers exceptional performance and stability in harsh operating environments, making it critical for advancing cost-effective and efficient gigawatt electrolyzer unit manufacturing that will help to reduce energy costs, mitigate supply chain risks, and promote sustainable solutions in the energy and manufacturing sectors."

Ecolectro, Inc. Chief Executive Officer and Founder Gabriel Rodriguez-Calero said, "Our team at Ecolectro is thankful to NYSERDA for the continued support that will advance our PFAs-free and Iridium-free electrolyzers. The funding will be used to accelerate developments of new chemistries and scale-up of Ecolectro's best-in-class AEMs that will enable production of the lowest cost green hydrogen."

Orion Polymer Corp. Chief Operating Officer Cathryn Olsen said, "Orion Polymer's NYSERDA award to investigate new designs in water electrolyzers, which will produce hydrogen as a clean fuel, empowers this local, successful clean energy company to put its resources into research that will benefit the citizens of New York State. Our goal is to further develop sources of energy that do not pollute, will benefit all, and will bring down the cost of energy across our state and nation. We sincerely appreciate the vision and support of NYSERDA in supporting a better future of cleaner air and water."

Senator Kevin Parker said, "New York is putting our money where our mouth is and continuing to make investments to meet the climate challenge and advancing research and development support implementation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. I want to congratulate NYSERDA and the awardees as we take steps that will bolster research and innovation into clean hydrogen, aiding our transition to a clean energy and greener environment."

Assemblymember Didi Barrett said, "Our clean energy transition will require us to use all of the tools in our toolbox to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. These clean hydrogen projects are an exciting opportunity that will help us diversify our clean energy portfolio."

Senator Pete Harckham said, "Successfully transitioning to clean energy means embracing a variety of sources, from solar and wind to geothermal. Hydrogen power is an intriguing alternative, and investing in making it safe and efficient is key to that journey. Thank you to the Governor and NYSERDA for exploring clean energy solutions."

Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, "By supporting the development of advanced clean hydrogen technologies, we are not only investing in cutting-edge science, but also in a sustainable future for New York State. These efforts will help lower costs, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, and create good-paying jobs, all while taking steps toward achieving our climate goals. RPI has long been a leader in innovation, and this funding is a testament to the great work happening right here in Troy. I am proud to see our local institutions at the forefront of this energy transformation."

Assemblymember Dana Levenberg said, "Congratulations to all of the recipients of these Clean Energy Fund grants and especially to Bettergy, based in my district. It is so exciting to see such cutting-edge research and development happening right in our own backyard. I am proud that New York is continuing its investments in clean energy, and grateful to see these funds coming to Assembly District 95. Climate action is an urgent necessity, and we must continue to use our ingenuity to create solutions to our most pressing problems."

Assemblymember Anna Kelles said, "The funding for state of the art electrolyzers represents a clear pathway to decreasing the cost and increasing the efficiency of green hydrogen production. This award is the final step to establish a successful commercialization of Cornell Research funded by the Department of Energy and is a valuable example of a responsible public private partnership dedicated to environmental solutions to climate change."

Troy Mayor Carmela Mantello said, "As we continue to face the challenges of a clean energy future, investments in innovation are critical. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's commitment of $1.2 million dollars to advance clean hydrogen research and development, underscores the importance of finding alternative sources of energy as we build our future. We are particularly proud to see RPI, a pillar of research excellence in our region, among the awardees. Their cutting-edge work in clean hydrogen technology holds great promise for reducing emissions, advancing energy efficiency, and driving economic growth."

Today's announcement builds on New York State's ongoing investments in clean hydrogen and scaling it as a resource through a connected network of projects across the state. Clean hydrogen technology has the potential to reduce pollutants statewide, including disadvantaged communities that are disproportionately impacted by airborne pollutants from industrial processes and high volumes of traffic in congested areas. In October 2024, NYSERDA through its Advanced Fuels Innovation Program awarded more than $8 million in eight clean hydrogen projects which include hydrogen production, manufacturing facility and different end uses.

New York State's investments in research, development, and commercialization support innovators accelerating the clean energy transition to meet the State's goal for economy-wide carbon neutrality. NYSERDA's Innovation and Research (I&R) program is deploying approximately $1.2 billion over 15 years as direct research investments and commercialization support. To date, more than $700 million in private investments and $200 million in project finance capital have been enabled, and more than 450 innovative clean energy products have been commercialized as a result of NYSERDA's technology and business development investments in energy use energy innovation, grid modernization, clean power generation and storage, and advanced fuels and thermal energy systems.

Today's awarded contracts are funded through the State's 10-year, $6 billion Clean Energy Fund.

New York State's Climate Agenda

New York State's climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

NYSERDA

Since 1975, NYSERDA has been working to advance New York's energy system and economy. As a public benefit corporation, NYSERDA has served as an objective source for information and technical expertise to drive innovation and investment. NYSERDA professionals have worked for the past 50 years to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, save money, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. To learn more about NYSERDA's programs and funding opportunities, visit nyserda.ny.gov or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.

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