PNW will be leading an effort to help create more clean energy in Northwest Indiana.

The university’s Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation will be a key player in creating hydrogen hubs across the Midwest. The U.S. Department of Energy announced that it will invest up to $1 billion in the initiative, which is being driven by the Midwest Alliance for Clean Energy.

These hubs will produce blue hydrogen, a fuel that can be used to reduce carbon emissions, specifically in industries that give off a high amount of pollution such as steelmaking, agriculture, power generation, and agriculture.

“PNW was invited to participate because of our expertise and proven track record for providing innovative solutions to solve real-world industry problems in collaboration with industry, academics, national labs, and the local community,” said Chenn Zhou, founding director of CIVS. 

She said PNW students will have a lot of chances to become involved in this project.

“PNW’s involvement will be led by CIVS to participate in research and workforce development,” said Zhou. “This allows NWI residents and PNW students to have some great opportunities at receiving employment at this new hub or contributing to research that helps the building of the hub. It will create thousands of jobs.”

Syed Imran, a research assistant at CIVS, said the work will be interesting.

“Blue hydrogen has many uses,” he said. “It can be a clean energy source for industrial processes and heating. It is extremely useful in sectors like chemical and steel production, where elevated temperatures are needed for processes.”

“It can also be used as fuel for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles,” Imran said. “Because of its adaptability and sustainability, blue hydrogen is a viable option to cut carbon emissions in various industries.”