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Arizona Unites to Develop Clean Hydrogen Ecosystem and Decarbonize Economy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A unique coalition of four Arizona energy providers and the state's three public universities has formed a new interdisciplinary coalition to achieve a carbon-neutral economy. This ambitious goal involves developing a clean hydrogen ecosystem, leveraging the state's abundant clean energy resources and potential to become an energy exporter. The coalition will establish a new center, the Center for an Arizona Carbon-Neutral Economy, housed within the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University (ASU), with the initial focus on creating a regional clean hydrogen hub. This hub will include hydrogen producers, consumers, and connected infrastructure to ensure supply and demand are in sync, and will help reduce carbon emissions in various sectors of the economy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Four Arizona energy providers (Arizona Public Service Co., Salt River Project, Tucson Electric Power, and Southwest Gas) and the state's three public universities (Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University) are forming a new coalition to develop a clean hydrogen ecosystem.
  • The coalition will establish the Center for an Arizona Carbon-Neutral Economy to pursue strategies and solutions for a carbon-neutral economy in Arizona.
  • The center's initial focus is on creating a regional clean hydrogen hub, encompassing hydrogen producers, consumers, and a connected infrastructure.
  • This hub aims to reduce carbon emissions in various sectors of the economy and support a reliable and resilient electric grid.
  • Involving local communities, businesses, and organizations in the process is a critical component of the coalition's work.
  • The partnership will draw on Arizona's abundant clean energy resources, including its sunny climate, undeveloped land, and energy-producing infrastructure.
  • The coalition's efforts will be supported by a bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which established program guidance and funding to create regional clean hydrogen hubs.

Statistics:

  • 1.3 million homes and businesses served by APS in 11 of Arizona's 15 counties (APS)
  • Arizona has the largest nuclear power plant in the nation (APS)
  • 1.1 million customers served by Salt River Project in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area (SRP)
  • 244 billion gallons of water delivered by SRP each year
  • Arizona has the potential to become an energy exporter, leveraging its clean energy resources and infrastructure (businesswire.com)
  • 90 years of providing clean, affordable natural gas service to over 2 million customers by Southwest Gas (swgas.com)

Sources:

  • Arizona Public Service (APS)
  • Salt River Project (SRP)
  • Southwest Gas
  • Arizona State University (ASU)
  • University of Arizona (UA)
  • Northern Arizona University (NAU)
  • U.S. News & World Report
  • National Science Foundation
  • Association of American Universities
  • Fortis Inc. (TSX/NYSE: FTS)

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