ABB Joins Forces with Bair Energy to Develop Green Hydrogen Complex in Texas

ABB, has formed an alliance with Bair Energy as part of the Green Hydrogen and Technology Alliance. The collaboration aims to establish a major green hydrogen facility in Texas, known as the Clear Fork Texas facility, with the capacity to produce up to 132,000 kg of green hydrogen per day by 2028.

Bair Energy, recognizing ABB's expertise in automation, electrification, and digitalization, has chosen the company to provide turnkey solutions for optimizing low-cost green hydrogen production at the 1 GW facility. The first phase of the project will utilize renewable power to initially produce up to 33,000 kg of green hydrogen per day. As the facility progresses, the daily capacity will gradually increase to the target of 132,000 kg by 2028.

Green hydrogen, which emits no carbon when used as an energy source, will be liquefied on site, stored, and transported to customers, contributing to the establishment of hydrogen networks in the transportation industry. By providing a clean fuel source, the collaboration between ABB and Bair Energy aims to support sustainable transport and significantly contribute to the decarbonization of the US transport sector.

To ensure efficient project execution, ABB will employ its Adaptive Execution™ project methodology, which integrates expert teams, new technologies, agile processes, and shared learnings. By leveraging a portfolio of ABB products, this approach helps customers reduce capital costs and expedite project timelines.

The Memorandum of Understanding between ABB and Bair Energy also opens avenues for deploying digital twin technology. Enabled by the ABB Ability™ 800xA Simulator and ABB Ability™ Process Power Simulator, these solutions integrate electrical and process controls with dynamic simulation. This virtual representation of the plant's design, operation, and maintenance enables a shorter start-up period, facilitates operator training, and allows for testing changes in a realistic yet disconnected environment.

The Clear Fork Texas Project, set to commence operations in 2025, will be one of the largest locally produced green hydrogen facilities. With transportation being the primary contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, this project marks a significant step towards decarbonizing the US transport industry.

Brandon Spencer, President of ABB Energy Industries, expressed enthusiasm about supporting low-cost hydrogen production and sustainable transport in the US and globally. He highlighted the promising future of hydrogen in the US, citing the Inflation Reduction Act incentives and collaborations like this alliance as key drivers in reducing the cost of green hydrogen production to below $0 per kilogram by 2030.

Nicholas Bair, Chief Executive Officer of Bair Energy, expressed his excitement about collaborating with ABB and leveraging their expertise in automation, electrification, and digitalization solutions. He emphasized that the deployment of ABB Adaptive Execution™ will not only reduce capital expenditure by 20% but also accelerate the facility's delivery time by 10 to 20%, signifying a major breakthrough for a project of this magnitude.