The governor has proposed almost a half million dollars in initial funding for the S.C. Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Alliance.
The alliance’s mission is to coordinate initiatives around the state involving the universities, government and the private sector.
“When you look at it, it is the most logical thing to do,” said Fred Humes of Aiken, the alliance’s chairman.
“We are all familiar with that expression that united you stand and divided you fall,” Humes said. “You need to be good stewards of the resources that you have and then you need to join together for the greater good.”
The alliance brings together five regional organizations, each with a particular strength in the hydrogen economy:
• Savannah River National Laboratory, which has one of the largest concentrations of hydrogen researchers in the country
• USC, home to the National Science Foundation’s Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Fuel Cells
• Clemson University, home to the International Center for Automotive Research, as well as hydrogen-related research into advanced materials and thermo-chemical hydrogen production
• S.C. State University, home to the Clyburn Transportation Center, which conducts research on linking various modes of transportation using advanced technologies
• The Center for Hydrogen Research, a new 6,000-square-foot facility in Aiken designed for collaborative hydrogen research.
Each of the organizations has a representative on the alliance’s board.
Beyond the initial funding, Sanford has proposed that the group receive $367,640 in recurring funds. The governor’s budget also seeks $1 million for the fuel cell center at USC and $2 million for CU-ICAR.
In addition, U.S. Sen. Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., announced last week that researchers at Clemson and the University of Utah will share a $1.5 million grant from the Department of Energy for fuel cell research.
‘NO ROOM FOR CROSS-STATE CONFLICT’
The creation of a statewide coordinating body was one of the major recommendations of the S.C. Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Economy Strategy unveiled in September. But the idea has been around since the S.C. Hydrogen Coalition was formed in 2002.
The effortgot a push last May following meetings between the S.C. congressional delegation and representatives of the state’s hydrogen research and technology efforts.
Following those meetings, the S.C. Department of Commerce decided to help provide support for the initiative, said Tim Dangerfield, the agency’s chief of staff.
The hydrogen and fuel cell strategy brought it all together, Humes said. The strategy, developed with the help of ICF Consulting of California, recognized that the state has very strong regions. But it cautioned that those regions must work together.
“In the global economy in which the hydrogen and fuel cell technology industry will take shape, there is no room for cross-state conflict,” the report said.
The report pointed out that at least 15 states and many nations are competing for part of the hydrogen economy.
While other states have put in a lot more money and effort, South Carolina isn’t playing catch up, said David Bodde, Clemson’s innovation and policy director at CU-ICAR.
“We are not behind and we are not ahead.” Bodde said. The state has the capability to be a player in the hydrogen economy, he said. Bodde said. Whether S.C. succeeds will depend on the state’s ability to come together in a united front, Bodde said.
“Is there a danger of us getting left behind if we don’t do this? Yes,” Humes said.
The alliance is housed in the Department of Commerce, but it is not a state agency. The nonprofit organization has its own charter and will hire an executive director, Humes said.
Commerce is providing administrative support, Dangerfield said.