Hydrogen infrastructure is underdeveloped but steadily expanding as new technologies and regulatory pathways emerge. However, with this growth comes challenges in navigating an evolving hydrogen landscape, including policy shifts, market dynamics, and infrastructure development needs.
The Hydrogen Economy Collaborative (HEC) is a network of state agencies, researchers, environmental nonprofit organizations, and industry professionals working to advance the role of low-carbon hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels in the clean energy transition. GPI facilitates the HEC as a platform to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing on policy, technology, and market developments to advance low-carbon hydrogen adoption.
By convening experts and stakeholders, the HEC aims to identify and address key challenges in hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuel deployment across high-value end-use sectors. The HEC is national in scope, though its primary focus is on the Midwest.
Since 2022, the HEC has hosted a series of bi-monthly presentations and discussions featuring industry experts, policy makers, and researchers. These presentations cover production methods, hydrogen transportation options, high-value end uses, policy development, community impact and equity considerations, research and development, and general hydrogen education.
In 2025, we plan to cover the following:
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- Hydrogen transportation and infrastructure needs
- Hydrogen storage
- Geologic hydrogen
- Additional high-value end uses such as maritime and aviation fuels and industrial feedstocks
- More in-depth coverage on green ammonia end uses
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To formalize participation, we ask members to sign the HEC charter, which outlines a comprehensive framework to advance the adoption of low-to-zero carbon hydrogen solutions. Its purpose is multifaceted: crafting strategies for hydrogen deployment as part of a net-zero carbon future, increasing stakeholder engagement, and facilitating dialogue among HEC members.
By signing the charter, individuals commit to participating in efforts to advance the hydrogen economy, engage in knowledge-sharing to overcome barriers in the hydrogen sector, and contribute to working groups that align with their expertise and interest.
Learn more about the collaborative
As a member of the collaborative, you will have the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of hydrogen stakeholders and learn about advancements in the field during bimonthly meetings. Together, we will work to find solutions for emerging issues in the hydrogen space and develop resources that facilitate the expansion of the hydrogen market.
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- Join a network of people interested and working in the hydrogen space
- Get involved in a work group
- Listen to presentations from around the world on hydrogen work
- Collaborate on policy decisions around hydrogen
HEC work groups
Work groups provide the opportunity to deepen your involvement in HEC, identify policy and technology gaps and needs, and establish ways to meet them. We facilitate the following work groups:
- Policy and education work group: Focused on tracking and analyzing policy developments, market trends, and finance opportunities that contribute to the growth of the hydrogen economy.
- Infrastructure work group: Dedicated to exploring advancements in hydrogen storage, transportation, and end-use applications to enhance deployment readiness and efficiency. This work group was put on hold in mid-2024 due to a delay in the release of the final 45V rules, which was creating market uncertainty and leading to delays in final investment decisions.
- Green ammonia work group: Launched in 2025, this group explores the intersection between hydrogen and ammonia as a low-carbon fertilizer, clean fuel, and industrial feedstock. The group identifies gaps in developing a Midwestern distributed green ammonia economy and creating resources to help fill those gaps.
Past meetings
Presentations from the HEC meeting on Thursday, May 8, 2025
CF Industries
Bob O’Leary, Senior Ammonia Product Manager, and Erik Mayer, VP of Clean Energy Solutions at CF Industries
Presented the company’s strategy to decarbonize ammonia production and expand low-carbon hydrogen solutions. They highlighted notable projects such as the Donaldsonville blue ammonia facility and the Blue Point project in Louisiana, which are designed to capture 90% of CO2 emissions. The presentation emphasized CF Industries’ efforts to leverage existing infrastructure, develop new partnerships, and meet emerging demand across sectors such as agriculture, fuel, and maritime shipping.
ASCENT
Dr. Michael Wolcott, Director of ASCENT and Regents Professor of Washington State University
Dr. Wolcott provided an overview of ASCENT’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) research agenda, which targets the decarbonization of long-haul aviation through biomass-based and power-to-liquid fuel pathways. He discussed projects focused on lifecycle greenhouse gas analysis, global supply chain modeling, and fuel testing and certification needed to enable broader SAF adoption. The presentation also addressed infrastructure compatibility and the need for new standards to support higher blend limits of SAF in existing aviation systems.
Presentations from the HEC meeting on Thursday, March 13, 2025
Midwest Industrial Transformation Initiative (MITI)
Rolf Weberg, Executive Director, University of Minnesota Duluth’s Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI)
Dr. Rolf Weberg discussed Minnesota’s potential to lead industrial decarbonization through green hydrogen and low-carbon steel production, leveraging the state’s natural resources and energy infrastructure. He highlighted Minnesota’s resources, workforce, and collaboration across sectors as key drivers for innovation and economic growth.
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HEC member spotlight: Jack Kluempke
This edition’s member spotlight shines on Jack Kluempke, Emerging Energy Technologies (EET) Supervisor within the Minnesota state Energy Office at the Department of Commerce. Jack’s work centers on understanding the viability and broader system impacts of technologies like hydrogen. His team plays a unique role in Minnesota’s clean energy transition, taking an agnostic, research-based approach to synthesize energy data and inform decision makers without pushing specific outcomes. Hydrogen has become a particular focus due to its potential for long-duration energy storage and decarbonizing sectors like aviation, fertilizer, and steel.
Jack and his team are currently assessing whether hydrogen can viably serve these sectors while balancing overall supply, infrastructure needs, and cross-sector dependencies. In addition to supporting informed decision-making, the EET team works to connect disparate efforts across the hydrogen landscape, ensuring collaboration, avoiding duplication, and evaluating the collective implications. The aim is to lay a data-driven foundation for just and effective hydrogen deployment across Minnesota. One key resource his department maintains is the Minnesota Energy Data Dashboard, a frequently updated hub for energy data and reports used by policymakers and researchers alike.
What keeps Jack grounded in this complex and rapidly evolving field is both deeply personal and practical. As a father and grandfather who has witnessed the impact of climate change while backpacking, he’s motivated by a desire to leave a better world for future generations. At the same time, with a background in finance, he knows meaningful progress must also be economically sound. His advice to others entering the hydrogen space? Be patient, be creative, and be ready to adapt—this is a long game, but one full of promise for those willing to engage with optimism and grit.