Empire Diversified Energy and Battelle Partner to Launch Hydrogen Hub in Appalachia

Empire Diversified Energy has taken a crucial step forward in renewable hydrogen production with its recent agreement to join the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) as a sub-recipient.

This collaboration with Battelle Memorial Institute aims to transform food waste into renewable hydrogen, establishing a clean energy footprint in the Appalachian region.

ARCH2 is managed by Battelle in partnership with the Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, emphasizing sustainable energy innovations across the United States.The project’s success centers on Empire’s subsidiary, Empire Green Generation (Green Gen), which specializes in waste-to-energy solutions.

With this partnership, Green Gen will convert food waste into clean hydrogen, using technology that minimizes environmental impact and maximizes resource efficiency.

"The ARCH2 hydrogen hub is a beacon of innovation and leadership in the renewable energy sector," said Bernard Brown, COO of Empire. Empire’s strategic involvement in ARCH2 highlights the company's commitment to integrating sustainable energy solutions within its operations.

Innovative Technology with Heartland Water Technology

Empire's collaboration with Heartland Water Technology brings proprietary technology to the ARCH2 initiative, focusing on converting biogas from food waste into hydrogen.

Heartland’s HelioStorm™ ultra-high temperature ionic gasifier will conduct methane pyrolysis, producing clean hydrogen and sustainable carbon black as byproducts.

This technology enables efficient resource conversion while minimizing reliance on fossil fuels, supporting energy needs in an eco-friendly manner.

Heartland also applies its LTC Dry™ technology, processing digestate from the biogas into ultra-pure synthesis gas.

This synthesis gas will generate clean energy to power the hydrogen production system, making the entire process energy-independent.

"Hydrogen is more than an energy carrier; it represents a cornerstone for future sustainability goals, offering a path to decarbonize industries and energize communities," stated Chris Beaufait, CEO of Heartland. This project underscores Heartland’s dedication to creating impactful waste treatment solutions with Empire as a partner.

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Advancing Renewable Hydrogen Production in Appalachia

The ARCH2 program, which now includes Empire as one of its Project Development Partners (PDPs), seeks to establish a renewable hydrogen hub in the Appalachian region.

Through this hub, Empire aims to contribute to the region’s clean energy initiatives by focusing on converting waste materials into energy resources.

The partnership with Heartland positions Empire as a leader in this space, utilizing cutting-edge technology to make renewable hydrogen production more viable.

With support from Battelle’s project management expertise, Empire’s role in ARCH2 will bolster decentralized hydrogen production, helping the region transition to greener energy.

Empire’s COO, Bernard Brown, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: "By leveraging this hub as a pivotal platform for collaboration, research, and development, we aim to demonstrate how strategic investments in decentralized hydrogen infrastructure can yield significant environmental and economic benefits." This focus on decentralization aligns with Empire’s vision for resilient, locally sourced energy solutions.

Key Technologies Supporting the Hydrogen Initiative

The core technologies that enable Empire and Heartland’s partnership within ARCH2 include Heartland’s HelioStorm™ and LTC Dry™ systems.

These technologies are integral to converting biogas and digestate from food waste into renewable hydrogen and synthesis gas. Each stage of this process contributes to a closed-loop system, where every byproduct serves a purpose, minimizing waste.

The HelioStorm™ technology addresses the complexities of methane pyrolysis by providing a high-efficiency conversion pathway.

This enables Empire to generate ultra-pure hydrogen that can be used across various applications.

Likewise, the LTC Dry™ technology supports the production of synthesis gas with minimal environmental impact. Together, these technologies represent a significant advancement in sustainable energy systems.

Empire’s Broader Mission: Sustainable Development Through Waste Conversion

Empire Green Generation, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire, operates under a vision to turn waste into clean energy.

Located at the Port of West Virginia in Follansbee, Empire’s facilities are set to become a regional center for sustainable energy generation.

By converting food waste and other materials into clean power sources, Green Gen exemplifies Empire’s dedication to both environmental stewardship and regional economic development.

Empire has long been committed to decarbonizing key sectors such as transportation, waste management, and logistics, supported by its Eco-Industrial Complex.

This partnership with Heartland and Battelle aligns with Empire’s larger mission to reduce carbon emissions across Appalachia.

According to Bernard Brown, Empire’s COO, "The integration of Heartland’s HelioStorm™ technology into the project is a game-changer, utilizing efficient methods to convert food waste into renewable hydrogen, propelling us toward our hydrogen goals."

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Environmental and Economic Impact of ARCH2

The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub represents a significant economic and environmental opportunity for the region.

By establishing a local source of renewable hydrogen, ARCH2 can stimulate job creation and reduce the area’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Empire’s involvement ensures that the waste conversion methods will minimize emissions and deliver clean energy to communities in need.

This waste-to-energy project began in June 2024, laying the foundation for Empire’s role as a leader in sustainable energy innovation.

Now recognized as an official PDP within ARCH2, Empire’s continued work in hydrogen production underscores its commitment to regional clean energy advancement.

The Role of Battelle in Project Management and Oversight

Battelle Memorial Institute, a key partner in this initiative, brings extensive experience in clean energy project management.

As the overseer of ARCH2, Battelle coordinates efforts with the Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations to ensure that each phase of the project aligns with federal guidelines and sustainability standards.

Through its support, Battelle facilitates a structured approach to renewable hydrogen development, creating a model that could influence similar projects nationwide.

Heartland’s Contributions to a Circular Economy

Heartland Water Technology plays a pivotal role in Empire’s hydrogen hub, providing innovative solutions for waste treatment and clean hydrogen production.

Heartland’s focus on resource recovery enables the conversion of waste byproducts into energy, advancing the principles of a circular economy.

This collaboration positions both Empire and Heartland as leaders in waste-to-energy technologies, furthering sustainable practices within the industry.

In describing the impact of this partnership, Chris Beaufait emphasized that "The project not only aligns with our vision to redefine waste, it underscores the critical role of renewable hydrogen in shaping a sustainable, circular economy."

The synergy between Heartland’s technology and Empire’s strategic goals strengthens the foundation for a transformative hydrogen production initiative.

Moving Forward with ARCH2: A Vision for Clean Energy

Empire, Battelle, and Heartland are collectively advancing a sustainable vision through the ARCH2 project, each bringing specialized expertise to support the hydrogen hub.

Their collaboration demonstrates the potential of public-private partnerships in addressing environmental challenges while promoting economic growth.

With a focus on clean energy and waste conversion, this project stands as a model for other regions aiming to adopt renewable energy solutions.

As Empire Diversified Energy continues its work within ARCH2, the collaboration with Battelle and Heartland promises to set new standards in renewable hydrogen production, helping shape the future of clean energy in Appalachia.