NEBRASKA PUBLIC POWER DISTRICT
Hydrogen - the next energy resource for NPPD

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) will join in celebrating the third annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, which marks the growth of the industry by raising awareness of the benefits fuel cells and hydrogen technologies provide in generating reliable and resilient power, while increasing America's energy, environmental, and economic security.

National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day is observed on October 8 (10.08), in recognition of the atomic weight of hydrogen - 1.008. And NPPD is at the forefront of hydrogen use to augment its diverse mix of nuclear, coal, wind, hydro, and gas resources to generate electricity for Nebraskans.

 "NPPD is proud to join with other innovative companies celebrating National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day," said NPPD Director of Research Alan Dostal. "Today's hydrogen and fuel cell industry is making its mark on America's energy landscape, on highways, in factories, warehouses, businesses, universities, and public institutions by providing resilient, sustainable, and safe power."  An example of NPPD's engagement with industry on the innovative production and use of hydrogen can be found in its plan to utilize hydrogen as a fuel source to generate electricity at Sheldon Station near Hallam.  NPPD will purchase the hydrogen by-product from the process of making carbon black from Monolith Materials, which is currently under construction and is located near the station.

"The continued growth of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies promotes America's energy, environmental, and economic security.  Yet, the fuel cell and hydrogen industry does not receive comparable public policy support on par with other clean energy technologies," Dostal said.  "To help reach its full economic and job-creating potential, the fuel cell sector continues to work with Congress to provide parity for fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen fueling stations, and distributed generation applications.

Efficient, clean, and quiet, fuel cells generate electricity through a chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, without combustion, and NPPD continues to look at that technology as it progresses.

Morry Markowitz, President of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) explained, "As we celebrate our fourth annual National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, the hydrogen and fuel cell future we worked for is making its mark today, with dynamic and growing markets across the industry.  This progress is a tribute to the companies, organizations, and individuals who pioneered these technologies and made hydrogen and fuel cells an important part of the nation's, and the world's, energy mix."

For more information on National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day, please visit www.hydrogenandfuelcellday.org. To view an animated video on the NPPD/Monolith Materials process go to https://youtu.be/0IYLeRT18qM.