Heartland Hydrogen Hub
Advancing the energy transformation
The Heartland Hydrogen Hub℠ (HH2H) is one of the seven regional clean energy projects selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Located in the heartland of the United States, its goal is to decarbonize multiple sectors in the region, including agriculture and industrial manufacturing, while producing clean hydrogen for end use in fertilizer and power generation. HH2H is a collaborative initiative that will produce low-carbon hydrogen; decarbonize regional supply chains; and create clean energy jobs across Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Led by the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) and Xcel Energy, HH2H aims to establish clean H2 projects that leverage diverse resources and markets; demonstrate sustainable business models with potential for growth; develop a diverse, highly skilled, regional clean energy workforce; and advance the DOE priorities of the Justice40 Initiative.
Production with a Purpose
HH2H consists of multiple clean hydrogen production facilities, uses, and connective infrastructure and would produce commercial-scale quantities of clean hydrogen at a rate considerably exceeding DOE’s minimum requirement.
Within this framework, one of the hub’s key collaborators, Xcel Energy, plans to use existing and future nuclear, solar, and wind resources in the Upper Midwest for hydrogen production. The Wind to Ammonia project will produce ammonia and urea fertilizer from wind energy in South Dakota. Additionally, Xcel’s Clean Energy to Hydrogen project will leverage a variety of electrical energy for clean H2 production.
A Phased Approach to Commercialization
HH2H is currently in the concept development phase.
Benefiting Local Communities
HH2H aims to promote meaningful, two-way engagement through a deliberate and constructed program, implementing processes and methods to incorporate feedback into project development and outcomes. In addition, trade organizations and universities in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin have pledged to support the development of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) opportunities to minorities and underrepresented groups in the region.
HH2H partners will continue to build on the strong relations they have developed over decades with the communities and other stakeholders within the HH2H region. HH2H partners will work to create shared prosperity in the project region and support the Biden Administration’s Justice40 goal to make the benefits of clean energy accessible and equitable to disadvantaged communities.
Quality jobs (direct and indirect) created from the hub.
The number of homes whose carbon dioxide output will be mitigated by the hub each year.
Project Partners
The Energy & Environmental Research Center is a leading developer of cleaner, more efficient energy to power the world and environmental technologies to protect and clean our air, water, and soil.
Xcel Energy, headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a major U.S. electricity and natural
gas company, providing a comprehensive portfolio of energy products and services to
3.7 million electricity customers and 2.1 million natural gas customers in eight western
and midwestern states.
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