Hexagon Composites, a Norway-based company which delivers safe and innovative solutions for a cleaner energy future, has been granted $2.6 million (approx. NOK 24 million) in initial funding by the US department of energy (DOE) to research how carbon fibre and composite structure can be optimised to reduce hydrogen and natural gas storage tank costs.

Hexagon’s research project was chosen following a competitive selection process and the DOE has announced funding opportunities for a total of 18 projects that support H2@Scale’s vision for affordable hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and use.

H2@Scale is a DOE initiative that supports innovations to produce, store and utilise hydrogen across multiple sectors.

“We are excited to be selected for funding by the DOE. The funding will enable our team to deep dive into the details of how we can reduce tank costs without compromising on safety. This is an important step towards a large-scale acceptance of zero and low emissions vehicles,” said Rick Rashilla, SVP Research & Development at Hexagon. “We look forward to working with our teammates at the National Labs and in the industry to accomplish a step change in cost reduction, and we are pleased that our competence, experience and potential have been recognised by the DOE."

Projects that receive the funding will fuel the next round of research, development, and demonstration activities under H2@Scale’s multi-year initiative to fully realise hydrogen’s benefits across the US economy.

Funding negotiations and work scope definition with the DOE is expected to be completed by Q3 2020.