Hydrogen is key to decarbonizing transportation—the leading source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at 28%. With its zero emissions and higher energy density than electric batteries, hydrogen offers an ideal solution for the hard-to-abate heavy-duty transportation sector. Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as the clean fuel of the future.
Yet, hydrogen itself must be decarbonized. Currently, 95% of hydrogen is derived from fossil fuels, primarily through Steam Methane Reforming (SMR) using natural gas. Producing hydrogen from water by harvesting the electrochemical energy in biogas bridges two crucial needs: sustainable waste management and low-carbon fuel production.
H2GenTM is Utility’s innovative industrial decarbonization solution that uses biogas to produce high-purity hydrogen from water. This breakthrough, low-cost, low-carbon intensity method creates a reliable and decentralized ecosystem that accelerates hydrogen adoption in heavy-duty transportation.
To make hydrogen cost-competitive with diesel, every step in the supply chain—from production to end-use—must be optimized to drive down costs and pave the way for a cleaner, heavy-duty transportation sector.
Collaboration between biogas producers, infrastructure developers, OEMs, fleet operators, government agencies and the private sector will be essential to advance the most innovative and cost-effective methods for rapid hydrogen commercialization in the mobility market.
H2Gen optimizes biogas use with simplified hydrogen production, minimal infrastructure requirements and no need for expensive electrolyzers or carbon-intense steam methane reforming. As a result, H2Gen also has a much smaller footprint, a key advantage for sites with limited space availability. Converting water to high-purity hydrogen for mobility by harvesting the electrochemical energy contained in biogas allows biogas producers to achieve sustainability goals, reduce emissions and tap into new revenue streams. Small-scale biogas-to-hydrogen plants (1 to 5 tons per day of hydrogen) can support clean, heavy-duty transport through a distributed/decentralized and reliable hydrogen network.
According to the EPA, approximately 40% of food in the U.S. goes to waste, with 95% ending up in landfills and contributing to 58% of landfills' methane emissions. Hydrogen production from biogas (biohydrogen) allows landfills to reduce their environmental impact while also generating economic value in the hydrogen economy for the clean mobility sector.
According to the EPA, approximately 40% of food in the U.S. goes to waste, with 95% ending up in landfills and contributing to 58% of landfills' methane emissions. Hydrogen production from biogas (biohydrogen) allows landfills to reduce their environmental impact while also generating economic value in the hydrogen economy for the clean mobility sector.
Only 10% of U.S. wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) produce biogas for beneficial use, offering an excellent opportunity for further development. Anaerobic digesters break down nutrient-rich organic sludge, producing biogas. Rather than incinerating or landfilling the sludge, WWTP can generate income-producing hydrogen and reduce their carbon emissions.
Only 10% of U.S. wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) produce biogas for beneficial use, offering an excellent opportunity for further development. Anaerobic digesters break down nutrient-rich organic sludge, producing biogas. Rather than incinerating or landfilling the sludge, WWTP can generate income-producing hydrogen and reduce their carbon emissions.
Farmers can utilize their agricultural waste, such as crop residue and livestock manure, to produce biohydrogen for the mobility sector. This additional income source can improve the resilience of farms, offset costs of manure management and mitigate harmful emissions to protect their local environment.
Farmers can utilize their agricultural waste, such as crop residue and livestock manure, to produce biohydrogen for the mobility sector. This additional income source can improve the resilience of farms, offset costs of manure management and mitigate harmful emissions to protect their local environment.
Hydrogen fueling stations and infrastructure companies, such as compressor manufacturers and on-site storage providers, also benefit from the growth of a distributed hydrogen network. For instance, fueling stations can operate at lower costs and with a more consistent and reliable supply, increasing asset utilization by making it easier to service heavy-duty vehicles without the concern of supply chain issues. Additionally, as more hydrogen fueling stations are established, fleet operators will have greater access and convenience, further accelerating hydrogen adoption.
Heavy-duty trucking companies, bus agencies, train operators and other fleet owners can benefit from low-cost, low-carbon biohydrogen as a sustainable fuel option. Hydrogen-powered vehicles offer longer ranges and faster refueling times than EVs and significantly lower emissions compared to diesel and CNG/RNG. As hydrogen infrastructure expands, fleet operators can also leverage government incentives to reduce upfront costs, lower fuel expenses and achieve Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets with zero emissions.
Manufacturers of hydrogen-powered trucks, buses and trains play a pivotal role in driving market growth with new vehicle designs and innovations. Local distribution of H2Gen-produced hydrogen enables OEMs to gain a scalable fuel source that supports the deployment of hydrogen vehicles. Access to affordable, locally produced hydrogen enables OEMs to ramp up hydrogen vehicle production, leveraging biohydrogen’s enhanced cost-effectiveness and ease of deployment.
Governments across the globe have introduced incentives and policies that subsidize the installation of hydrogen fueling stations or provide credits for renewable hydrogen production to encourage market acceptance, further decarbonizing the transportation sector. For instance, the EPA’s new Phase 3 GHG Standards, effective for heavy-duty vehicles in 2027, signals strong regulatory support to curb emissions. Furthermore, governments benefit from a strengthened hydrogen value chain that aligns with their climate goals, reduces dependency on fossil fuels and improves national energy security and independence.
With H2Gen's modular and distributed biogas-to-hydrogen plants, the heavy-duty mobility sector can advance toward net-zero in a way that benefits all stakeholders and fosters rapid hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicle deployment.
Contact us today to learn more about how H2Gen is transforming heavy-duty transportation with affordable and low-carbon hydrogen from water using biogas for a zero-carbon future.
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