Plug Awarded $10 Million DOE Grant to Lead Development of Advanced Hydrogen Refueling Station in Washington State

SLINGERLANDS, N.Y., Sept. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Plug Power Inc. (NASDAQ: PLUG), a global leader in comprehensive hydrogen solutions for the green hydrogen economy, has been awarded $10 million by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to demonstrate next generation hydrogen refueling infrastructure for medium and heavy-duty vehicles at scale. Plug’s project, HYPER-Fuel (“the project”), is a liquid-to-gaseous dispensing and cryogenic dispensing hydrogen refueling station architecture.

This funding is part of the DOE’s $62 million investment in 20 projects across 15 states aimed at accelerating the deployment of next-generation clean hydrogen technologies. These initiatives will advance key aspects of hydrogen fueling infrastructure, demonstrate hydrogen-powered container-handling equipment for port operations, and enhance processes critical to the efficient, timely, and equitable implementation of hydrogen technologies.

In partnership with Washington State University (WSU), the University of Maryland at College Park, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Plug will develop a high-flow, direct-fill hydrogen fueling station. The dispensing station, based on Plug’s GenFuel technology, will offer fueling rates exceeding 8 kg/min, a daily capacity of >2 tonnes, and options for both 350 and 700 bar pressurized hydrogen, including forward looking subcooled liquid and cryo-compressed hydrogen dispensing. The project aims to address the growing hydrogen infrastructure needs for on-road heavy-duty vehicles.

"We’re grateful for the Department of Energy's support, which underscores Plug’s leadership in the hydrogen sector," said Plug CEO Andy Marsh. "With over 250 high-performance refueling stations under our belt—more than any other company globally—our proven expertise positions us uniquely to lead this important commercial demonstration project."

“This station solves the chicken-or-egg conundrum holding back the hydrogen economy–with integrated cooling we can minimize boil-off losses, easing the barrier to adopting hydrogen fuel for heavy duty applications,” said Jacob Leachman, who heads up Washington State University’s Hydrogen Properties for Energy Research (HYPER) Laboratory. “The research and testing opportunities will significantly advance the field. We couldn’t be more excited to partner with Plug again on DOE projects.”