On Tuesday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) would begin working with private sector partners on how to approach deploying hydrogen fueling stations for commercial vehicles in that state.
Kemp said the effort was the first step in a multi-step process that would accelerate the adoption of hydrogen-powered trucks. As part of that, GDOT issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking feedback on how to move forward in developing and construction hydrogen fuel stations. Information gathered from the RFI will be used in conjunction with other research to understand what opportunities and challenges face the state in the hydrogen adoption process.
“As the Number 1 state for business with world-class institutions of higher learning, Georgia is on the cutting-edge of innovation and the jobs of the future,” Gov. Kemp said. “But as I always say, we can’t rest on our laurels. I want to thank GDOT and our partners in the private sector who will ensure that when it comes to hydrogen energy, we will do as we have in so many other areas – lead.”
While the market for hydrogen as a transportation fuel is in its early stages, Kemp’s office said, the hydrogen-as-fuel-industry has already seen several successful deployment in other economically advanced countries. Hydrogen’s use is predominantly in the industrial sector and for fertilizer and methanol production, with the U.S. market consuming approximately 10 million metric tons of hydrogen annually. The total current value of the U.S. hydrogen market, the office said, is estimated to be more than $17 billion, with projections putting the industry’s estimated revenue at $130 billion per year by 2050.
Kemp’s office said hydrogen-powered electric fuel cells are promising technology for commercial vehicles and that their applications include long travel distances with a fast refueling process for heavy vehicles, which aligns the technology with Kemp’s goal of making Georgia the e-mobility capital of the U.S.
“We at GDOT are always seeking opportunities to advance our state through innovation, and with the feedback gathered by this RFI we will have an opportunity to plan for the future,” GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said.
GDOT said it would consider the full range of demand for hydrogen in transportation through the RFI process, including the option to bring down the cost of hydrogen refueling station development in Georgia. The state will also consider possible locations for hydrogen refueling station deployment.
The RFI submission window will close 30 days from Aug. 7, GDOT said, and interested parties are encouraged to respond.