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Handouts

About ARCHES
Fact Sheet
Hydrogen FAQ
Community Benefits

Presentations

ARCHES Community Stakeholder Meeting co-hosted with the DOE, October 25, 2023 (slides here)

ARCHES presentation at the Annual Merit Review conference May 9, 2024 (slides here)

White Papers

ARCHES white papers were written by the ARCHES working groups who met to discuss California’s hydrogen market liftoff between 2022-2024. These documents are living documents and are expected to be updated regularly. These white papers reflect the voices of over 400 ARCHES members and constitute what is needed for overall market liftoff, by no means limited by the scope of the ARCHES DOE H2Hub. 

You can read ARCHES’ white papers here

Policy

ARCHES’ role in policy is to educate decision-makers on the effects of proposed policy on the hydrogen market in California, for both the larger California ecosystem as well as the DOE H2Hub. 

You can read our public comment letters on 45V here

FAQ

General Information

ARCHES focuses on:

  • Developing a low or negative-carbon hydrogen economy.
  • Reducing greenhouse-gas and pollutant emissions.
  • Improving air quality, particularly for local communities..
  • Creating sustainable, high-quality careers.
  • Engaging stakeholders in decision-making and fostering economic leadership across the state​​.

You can read more about ARCHES here.

ARCHES was founded by the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the University of California system, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California, and the Renewables 100 Policy Institute.  It is a collaboration among the state, local governments, tribal nations, NGOs, local communities, andindustry partners. These different stakeholders ensure California’s hydrogen projects benefit from broad expertise and alignment with community interests​​.

You can read more about ARCHES’ partners here along with letters of support.

ARCHES is central to California’s strategy to meet its ambitious clean-energy targets. By deploying renewable hydrogen, ARCHES helps reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, decarbonize hard to electrify sectors, and replace fossil fuels in transportation, power generation, transportation, power generation, industry and other applications. ARCHES aligns with California’s goals to achieve 100% carbon neutrality by 2045​​.

While specific project timelines vary, ARCHES’ projects are designed to deliver near- and long-term benefits. The organization’s federal funding proposal to the Department of Energy includes a roadmap to build hydrogen infrastructure by the decade’s end​.

ARCHES takes a system-based approach toward ecosystem development and deployment ARCHES stands out for its commitment to community involvement, clean energy development, and  job creation. 

You can read more about ARCHES’ approach here 

Renewable hydrogen refers to hydrogen produced using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, or sustainable biogenic sources. For hydrogen to qualify as “renewable,” its production process must meet or exceed strict carbon intensity criteria. These criteria include evaluating lifecycle emissions and ensuring no greenhouse gases are emitted during production.

ARCHES applies additional criteria to ensure hydrogen’s sustainability, including consideration of water resource, and air quality impacts, and emissions from the production process. Renewable hydrogen is key to achieving zero-emission energy systems and transitioning away from fossil fuel reliance.

Typically, “zero-emissions” hydrogen means that no greenhouse gases or criteria pollutants are produced when using hydrogen as a fuel. When consumed in a fuel cell, the only byproducts of hydrogen are water vapor and heat. This makes hydrogen an ideal energy carrier for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like transportation and industry.

However, achieving a truly “zero-emissions” hydrogen system also depends on how the hydrogen is produced, which is related to overall carbon intensity. ARCHES assesses this using life-cycle analysis (LCA).

Project Details

ARCHES is funded through a combination of federal, state and local municipality funding and project-based contributions. DOE’s H2Hubs program funding helps ARCHES expand hydrogen projects in California and promotes state and private investment.

ARCHES prioritizes projects that support hydrogen use in hard-to-decarbonize sectors like medium- and heavy-duty transportation, ports and power plants. These projects focus on renewable hydrogen production, distribution and storage, with a strict emphasis on zero emissions while growing to scales necessary to make hydrogen a market-viable renewable fuel and energy source. 

You can read more about ARCHES technical project plans here.

ARCHES’ projects are concentrated in the Los Angeles Basin, Bay Area, Central Valley and Inland Empire. These regions have a high concentration of renewable resources, critical transportation hubs and/or significant community needs for cleaner air and economic development​​.

Projects are selected based on their alignment with ARCHES’ mission to advance clean hydrogen, integrate with the ecosystem, benefit local communities and meet high environmental standards. Selection criteria also include potential community impacts, emissions reductions and job creation. Projects must agree to project labor agreements with local-hire provisions on all covered positions​​.

While precise production targets depend on specific project plans and funding, ARCHES aims to create a robust, large-scale hydrogen market that can meet California’s renewable energy needs across multiple sectors. This initiative supports scaling up hydrogen production and use to over 400 metric tons per day as part of California’s comprehensive clean energy mix​​. 

You can read more about this in our technical plan or in our recent presentations.

Project timelines vary, but major projects are expected to progress from planning to operational stages over several years. 

ARCHES is prioritizing decarbonization in three main sectors: medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, ports and power. These sectors are especially difficult to decarbonize using existing technologies, making them ideal for hydrogen-based solutions. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and port equipment benefit from hydrogen’s quick refueling, lighter-weight fuel storage and long-range capabilities, especially where electric alternatives are impractical. Additionally, power, especially at a large scale, represents a scalable opportunity for hydrogen to replace natural gas as a clean energy source.

While ARCHES is mainly focused on the above sectors, hydrogen’s versatility suggests future opportunities in sectors such as long-term energy storage, aviation, ammonia and industrial feedstocks. These sectors could gain momentum as infrastructure expands and costs decrease.

ARCHES explicitly excludes hydrogen use in residential homes from its funded projects. This decision aligns with its strategy to focus on industrial-scale applications and sectors that offer the highest emissions reduction potential per dollar invested.

While ARCHES’ current focus is on heavy-duty transportation, including trucks, buses and equipment used in ports and goods movement, heavy-duty fueling stations are expected to include light-duty dispensers when they can be added safely. ARCHES also supports the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure generally and hydrogen cost reduction, which should benefit light-duty vehicles in the future. Additionally, ARCHES’ goal of fostering a robust hydrogen marketplace could eventually accelerate the adoption of hydrogen fuel-cell technologies for light-duty vehicles.

ARCHES is focused on supporting power plants that can operate using 100% renewable hydrogen. This aligns with California’s decarbonization goals and the desire to phase out fossil-fuel reliance. However, blending at the end stage (not in pipelines) is probable in the early stages of turbine development and hydrogen availability.

ARCHES addresses potential water concerns by prioritizing use of recycled or produced water for hydrogen production, as water treatment costs are not a significant portion of hydrogen production. This strategy minimizes competition with drinking and agricultural water supplies, ensuring that hydrogen production does not exacerbate drought conditions. In addition, the water demand for hydrogen electrolysis is similar or lower compared to water-intensive fossil fuel extraction and refining processes.

ARCHES also ensures that project proposals undergo rigorous vetting to assess water source sustainability and environmental impact. This approach aligns with its commitment to protecting California’s water resources.

No, the ARCHES hub will not fund or include projects that involve blending hydrogen with natural gas in pipelines.

Environmental and Health Concerns

ARCHES projects are designed to improve public health by reducing pollution from fossil fuels and providing cleaner air, especially in heavily impacted communities. This will be demonstrated through air quality monitoring. Additionally, we aim to increase community awareness of hydrogen safety and the direct effects of transitioning to hydrogen on air quality.

ARCHES will adhere to stringent safety standards and requires all funded projects to implement best hydrogen containment and leak prevention practices. ARCHES collaborates with safety experts, and ARCHES partners use state-of-the-art technology to monitor and mitigate any potential leaks​.

ARCHES mandates the exclusive use of renewable hydrogen, minimizing life cycle emissions and adhering to strict air quality standards. All projects undergo rigorous bottom-up life cycle analyses to confirm they do not result in increased greenhouse gases, toxins or odors that could harm local communities.

Renewable hydrogen offers several environmental benefits:

  • Zero Emissions: Hydrogen fuel produces only water vapor, eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. Overall emissions depend on where hydrogen is produced; ARCHES uses only renewable resources.
  • Reduced Fossil Fuel Dependence: Hydrogen can replace fossil fuels in high-impact sectors.
  • Versatile Applications: Hydrogen can be used in many applications, such as clean energy storage, transportation and power generation​​.

ARCHES employs an independent team to oversee and report on environmental impacts, including emissions, water use and local air quality. This team ensures compliance and recommends remedies for any environmental concern​. All projects are required to undergo environmental analysis and permitting under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

ARCHES projects have a significantly lower carbon footprint than traditional fossil fuel-based energy sources. By using renewable energy for hydrogen production, ARCHES minimizes carbon emissions across the project life cycle, helping California reach its climate targets​​.

ARCHES aims to reduce NOx and particulate matter emissions by displacing fossil fuels (especially diesel) with clean hydrogen. This is especially effective in polluted areas, where ARCHES projects contribute to cleaner air and better health outcomes for residents​​.

Technology and Production

Renewable hydrogen is produced from renewable energy sources, including renewable electricity and biomass. For example, in electrolysis, in which water is split into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, ARCHES ensures that the electricity is derived from renewable sources like solar and wind to maintain an almost zero-carbon footprint throughout the production process​​.

Renewable hydrogen is versatile and used in sectors that are challenging to decarbonize, including:

  • Transportation: Fuel for heavy-duty trucks, buses and shipping.
  • Industrial Processes: Used in refining, steel production and ammonia synthesis.
  • Energy Storage: Enables long-term storage of clean energy, balancing supply and demand.
  • Power Generation: Renewable fuel for power plants that require high reliability and fast ramp-up times​​.

Renewable hydrogen complements other clean energy sources by providing storage and fuel for sectors where direct electrification from batteries or the electrical grid is less practical. Unlike batteries, hydrogen can efficiently store large quantities of energy for long periods and be transported over vast distances, making it suitable for grid resilience and industrial applications​.

ARCHES projects primarily use PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysis and liquid alkaline electrolysis, both of which are highly efficient. PEM electrolyzers are especially effective for variable renewable energy sources, as they can quickly adapt to changing power inputs​. 

Current electrolysis technologies achieve energy efficiencies of about 60% to 80%. Efficiencies are expected to improve with ongoing research and development, and ARCHES projects are aligned with DOE goals to make hydrogen production more cost-effective and energy-efficient over the next decade​​.

On average, producing 1 kg of green hydrogen via electrolysis requires about 50-55 kWh of renewable electricity. ARCHES projects are designed to optimize energy inputs, minimize costs and support California’s transition to a 100% renewable grid​.

ARCHES uses multiple storage and transportation solutions depending on project needs, including:

  • Compressed Gas Storage: Hydrogen stored in high-pressure tanks.
  • Liquid Hydrogen: For storage at sites and where higher capacity distribution is required
  • Pipeline Transport: Dedicated 100% hydrogen pipelines in areas with high hydrogen demand. Storage facilities are secured with advanced safety measures to prevent leaks and ensure safe handling​​.

Safety and Regulations

ARCHES follows strict safety standards across production, storage and distribution. All projects adhere to industry best practices, including regular safety audits and advanced leak detection systems and comply with state and federal regulations​​.

ARCHES projects comply with standards set by agencies like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, ARCHES incorporates the latest codes from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other hydrogen-specific safety guidelines​. ARCHES partners have safely used hydrogen for decades. 

Hydrogen storage facilities are designed with multiple safety layers, including pressure relief systems, secure enclosures and rigorous leak detection. Facilities are regularly inspected to ensure structural integrity, and emergency plans are in place to handle potential incidents​.

ARCHES’ partners provide comprehensive safety and technical training to all workers involved in hydrogen production, distribution and storage. Training includes handling hazardous and flammable gases, emergency response and hydrogen-specific safety protocols to ensure safe operations and compliance with safety standards​.

ARCHES projects follow California’s stringent environmental and safety regulations and are aligned with federal standards set by the DOE and other agencies. ARCHES also incorporates stakeholder input into its compliance efforts​.

ARCHES will develop robust emergency response plans for each project, including coordination with local emergency services, regular drills and staff training. These plans will focus on timely detection, rapid response and containment to ensure minimal environmental impact and public safety​.

Safety audits to ensure adherence to safety and environmental standards will be conducted at least annually, with additional inspections as needed.

Economic Impact

ARCHES is expected to create over 200,000 jobs by 2030 across various sectors in California. These jobs range from construction and technical roles to operations, maintenance and other positions focused on the hydrogen economy​​.

ARCHES supports a diverse range of jobs, including:

  • Construction and Infrastructure: Building hydrogen production plants, pipelines and storage facilities.
  • Technical and Engineering Roles: Operating and maintaining hydrogen systems and subsystems, including stations, electrolyzers, safety systems and hydrogen storage.
  • Community Involvement: Ensuring projects align with local community needs​​.

ARCHES projects inject funding into local economies by creating jobs, investing in infrastructure and supporting workforce training. 

The economic impact of ARCHES includes nearly $2.95 billion annually in health savings, job creation and reduced pollution, along with the long-term benefits of transitioning to a zero-emission hydrogen economy​​. Additionally, we anticipate that over 220,000 jobs will be created, with an emphasis on local hires. The infrastructure projects’ value is $12.6B, with an additional $150M in regional benefits and $229M in workforce development.

ARCHES will invest in workforce development programs, partnering with educational institutions and labor unions to provide specialized training and apprenticeships. This prepares the workforce for jobs in hydrogen production, safety and technology, strengthening California’s clean energy workforce​​.

Small businesses benefit from subcontracting opportunities in construction, logistics, safety and technology services. ARCHES also supports small businesses through community involvement initiatives and sourcing local services and materials whenever possible​​.

By investing in efficiency improvements, leveraging California’s renewable resources and scaling the infrastructure, ARCHES aims to reduce the cost of hydrogen generation and use. 

Participation and Engagement

You can get involved with ARCHES by participating in local advisory groups or becoming a project partner. ARCHES encourages individuals, organizations, and professionals who support a clean hydrogen economy to engage with the organization’s initiatives​​.

For organizations looking to collaborate with ARCHES, agreements generally begin with the submission of a proposal outlining the project goals, benefits and alignment with ARCHES’ mission. ARCHES reviews each proposal for compliance with environmental and community standards. Approved projects are subject to ongoing monitoring and performance reviews to ensure they meet the objectives outlined in the agreement​.

Learn more about the rolling RFP for hydrogen projects here.

Yes, ARCHES provides multiple avenues for public input. This includes open forums, public comment periods, annual symposia and local stakeholder meetings that allows members to participate in project discussions without signing a non-disclosure agreement, ensuring broad representation and transparency​​. There are also opportunities for involvement through both the NEPA and CEQA processes.

Businesses and researchers can collaborate with ARCHES by proposing projects, partnering on research and development initiatives, and participating in workgroups focused on hydrogen technology and workforce development. ARCHES actively partners with industry leaders, universities and research institutions to advance hydrogen innovation and achieve its clean energy goals​​.

ARCHES will offer a range of educational resources, including workforce training programs, technical workshops, and internships focused on clean energy careers. Additionally, ARCHES partners with universities and technical colleges to develop curricula that support hydrogen technology and production training, helping to build a skilled workforce for California’s hydrogen economy​​.

Communities interested in hosting ARCHES projects can work through local representatives or submit project ideas directly to ARCHES. Community-based proposals are evaluated on their potential to improve local air quality, create jobs and meet community needs. ARCHES assigns liaisons to facilitate communication between project teams and local communities​​.

You can read more about our hydrogen proposals process here or reach out to us at info@arches.org 

ARCHES hosts an Annual Symposium where industry leaders, stakeholders and policymakers come together to discuss hydrogen developments and share knowledge. Additional networking opportunities include working groups, regional meetings and project-specific forums that allow participants to connect with professionals across the hydrogen and clean energy sectors​.

You can read more about the ARCHES network here. We also welcome OEMs and service providers looking to work with our partners.

Future Outlook

ARCHES’ long-term goals center on creating a resilient, statewide hydrogen infrastructure that supports California’s decarbonization efforts. In addition to initial projects, ARCHES aims to expand hydrogen applications, integrate hydrogen into the energy grid and foster a sustainable hydrogen marketplace and ecosystem that can be replicated across the nation​​.

ARCHES plans to scale production by leveraging California’s abundant renewable energy resources and expanding infrastructure such as dedicated open-access hydrogen pipelines and storage facilities. By partnering with public and private stakeholders, ARCHES will focus on improving production efficiency, cost-effectiveness, scalability and accessibility of hydrogen across California​​.

ARCHES and ARCHES partners are pursuing advancements in electrolysis and biomass conversion efficiency. ARCHES and its partners are well aligned with state and federal activities to innovate related production technology. 

ARCHES is a critical component of California’s clean energy strategy, which includes achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. By focusing on renewable hydrogen, ARCHES complements solar, wind and battery storage technologies and provides solutions for sectors that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy transportation and industry​.

ARCHES remains adaptable regardless of any potential state and federal policy shifts. ARCHES monitors policy changes closely and works with government agencies to ensure compliance, secure funding and adapt project goals as necessary. 

ARCHES envisions hydrogen playing a major role in the global energy transition, especially as countries aim for carbon neutrality. By establishing a robust hydrogen economy in California, ARCHES aims to set an example for hydrogen deployment worldwide, paving the way for hydrogen as a key player in the global energy mix​​.

ARCHES Partners

ARCHES partners include leaders in energy research, communities, trades, utilities, for-profit companies and nongovernmental organizations. Those interested in joining this growing network are asked to sign and submit a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

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