Dallas, TX – HYSKY Society, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing clean hydrogen, is thrilled to announce the submission of a groundbreaking proposal for the Hydrogen for All Alliance (HYFA). This initiative is focused on environmental justice by bringing clean hydrogen to underserved communities, including low-income areas, tribal lands, and underserved businesses. The collaborative effort includes key stakeholders such as Universal Solutions International, Inc., Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, and Moreton and Co., and is led by HYSKY Society. The alliance focuses on addressing demand-side challenges and advancing environmental justice in the clean hydrogen market. The proposal was submitted in response to the Department of Energy's Request for Proposals DE-FOA-0003187.
About the Hydrogen for All Alliance (HYFA): A Groundbreaking Initiative to Transform the Clean Hydrogen Market
In a move set to significantly impact the clean hydrogen industry, the Hydrogen for All Alliance (HYFA) is launching an ambitious initiative aimed at making clean hydrogen accessible to all. This initiative is more than an environmental endeavor; it's a timely response to the urgent needs for social justice and market transformation.
Why Now?
With the pressing challenges of climate change and the growing need for equitable clean energy solutions, HYFA steps in to fill a critical market gap. As conversations intensify around sustainability and social justice, the timing for HYFA's intervention couldn't be more relevant. The alliance is essential for the communities most affected by energy inequity and environmental degradation.
HYFA's proposal aligns closely with the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), which aims to accelerate the commercialization of clean hydrogen through demand-side support programs. This DOE initiative envisions a financial commitment of between $500 million and $1 billion for a 5-year term, further emphasizing the timeliness and financial feasibility of HYFA's goals. The DOE program, designed to function in collaboration with Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2Hubs), is particularly focused on entities that can administer demand-side mechanisms—making HYFA a suitable and timely candidate.
On October 13, 2023, awards for seven key hydrogen hubs across the nation were announced as follows:
Appalachian Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2): up to $925 million
California Hydrogen Hub (ARCHES): up to $1.2 billion
Gulf Coast Hydrogen Hub (HyVelocity H2Hub): up to $1.2 billion
Heartland Hydrogen Hub: up to $925 million
Mid-Atlantic Hydrogen Hub (MACH): up to $750 million
Midwest Hydrogen Hub (MachH2): up to $1 billion
Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub (PNW H2): up to $1 billion
These funding amounts underline a significant national commitment to advancing clean hydrogen and add further impetus to HYFA's timely and essential initiative.
Key Objectives:
Equitable Access: HYFA is committed to making clean hydrogen accessible to underserved communities and businesses, breaking down existing barriers.
Intelligent Demand-Side Optimization: Utilizing cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence, HYFA aims to revolutionize how subsidy programs are optimized.
Leading in Environmental Justice: The initiative aligns closely with the Justice40 Initiative to improve air quality and reduce carbon footprints in marginalized communities.
HYFA’s mission closely mirrors the goals set forth in the Justice40 Initiative by President Biden, which seeks to address climate change, clean energy, and environmental justice. With letters of interest from Choctaw Nation, a tribal land, HYFA is already demonstrating its commitment to these federal priorities, further solidifying its role in promoting equitable access to clean hydrogen.
Key Members:
The Hydrogen for All Alliance (HYFA) is a collaborative effort led by HYSKY Society and joined by Universal Solutions International, Inc. (USI), Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (Orrick), Moreton & Co., and ProfessAI. Each member brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the table, making the alliance a powerhouse of innovation and social impact. HYSKY Society, based in Dallas, TX, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit with a focus on advancing clean hydrogen through education, community outreach, and technical expertise. USI, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, brings nearly two decades of experience in program management, logistics, and federal contracting. Orrick is a leading U.S. law firm with substantial expertise in renewable energy and artificial intelligence, and will be responsible for overseeing all commercial contracting and legal matters. Moreton & Co. adds a layer of risk management expertise, helping the alliance navigate market challenges and mitigate potential risks. Finally, ProfessAI, a veteran-owned modular AI company, will utilize its efficient and cost-effective software solutions to contribute to HYFA’s objectives. Together, these members aim to accelerate the commercialization and equitable distribution of clean hydrogen in partnership with the recently funded H2Hubs and their surrounding disadvantaged communities and businesses.
About HYSKY Society
Danielle McLean, the CEO and Founder of HYSKY Society, is a visionary leader with a deep-rooted passion for clean energy and environmental justice. With a background in engineering and sustainability, Danielle has dedicated her career to advancing clean hydrogen and its applications. Under her leadership, HYSKY Society has grown into a reputable non-profit organization, featuring a diverse board and an expansive network of over 200 contributors specializing in technical and market analysis related to hydrogen. Danielle is a trailblazer in the fight for a sustainable and equitable future. Her dedication to these principles is encapsulated in her quote, "The Hydrogen for All Alliance embodies our collective resolve to foster environmental justice and economic inclusion. This is about making a tangible difference in people's lives today, not just a decade from now.”
Beyond leading the Hydrogen for All Alliance (HYFA), HYSKY Society has consistently been at the forefront of advocating for clean hydrogen and DEI initiatives. In 2022, HYSKY published a pivotal Workforce Report titled "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is Vital," emphasizing the critical role of DEI in industry. In addition to DEI, HYSKY has contributed scholarly work in the form of a white paper on "Captive-Use Hydrogen for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)," which explores the transformative potential of hydrogen in aviation. These prior initiatives affirm its commitment to making clean hydrogen an inclusive and equitable solution for all.
HYSKY Society is not just focused on land-based hydrogen solutions; it's also making strides in aviation through its FLYING HY initiative. In collaboration with BBI International, HYSKY Society co-hosted FLYING HY alongside the UAS Summit and Expo, a leading event in the unmanned aircraft systems sector. Held on October 10-11, 2023, at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota, the event was a significant success, fostering innovation and collaboration in hydrogen aviation and unmanned systems.
Looking ahead, HYSKY Society is preparing for the H2Hub Summit: Meet the Winners in March 2024. This important event will bring together all seven Department of Energy-backed Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs for in-depth presentations and interactive Q&A sessions. The summit aims to provide insights into each H2Hub's unique contributions and future plans, creating a unified vision for a sustainable, hydrogen-powered future. The H2Hub Summit: Meet the Winners is a virtual event hosted on Zoom. Tickets are available now at www.hysky.org/h2hubs
In addition to these major initiatives, HYSKY Society hosts free monthly webinars known as HYSKY Monthly on the third Monday of each month. These webinars feature a range of industry experts and thought leaders, including companies like LuftCar, NEX Aero, Universal Hydrogen, ZeroAvia, Plug Power, and SMG Consulting.
Fantastic news and great effort by HYSKY to pull things together. Now the effort needs to switch to finding groups that realize the positive impact this can play on their community. No one wants something in their community that will cause an adverse impact on property value or quality of life. On the other hand, if jobs are created and valuations increase everyone is happy. The H2 impact will only be realized if enough vehicles of all types are fielded. Without volume you will never displace the fossil fuel cartel. A path toward success would be leveraging a local airport with vision to become an H2 testbed. Getting their support as political leverage could drive the funding award and serve…