Empire Diversified Energy Signs Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub Sub-recipient Agreement With Battelle

Empire Diversified Energy, Inc. (FOLLANSBEE, W. Va., Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Empire Diversified Energy, Inc. ("Empire") is pleased to announce the execution of the sub-recipient agreement with Battelle Memorial Institute ("Battelle") for the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2). Battelle leads the Project Management Office for ARCH2 in partnership with the Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED). This is the final step for Empire Green Generation, LLC ("Green Gen"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire, to secure federal funding to assist in the first phase of development of its facility that will convert food waste into renewable hydrogen as one of 11 Project Development Partners (PDPs) in the ARCH2 Hub.

>> In Other News: Landmark Supreme Court Ruling Transforms U.S. Carbon Emissions Landscape: The Role of Carbon Capture Unveiled

Empire and project partner, Heartland Water Technology ("Heartland"), will develop a project for ARCH2 that employs food waste treatment in an anaerobic digester, which produces biogas and residual solid material (digestate). Heartland will apply its proprietary HelioStorm™ ultra-high temperature ionic gasifier technology to perform methane pyrolysis of the biogas, producing clean hydrogen and sustainable carbon black. The digestate will be processed through Heartland's LTC Dry™ and HelioStorm™ gasifiers in a parallel pathway to produce ultra-pure, tar-free synthesis gas, which will generate clean energy, powering the entire conversion system and reducing reliance on the grid and fossil fuels.

The Heartland and Empire partnership in the ARCH2 program represents a significant advancement in converting waste into sustainable hydrogen production for the Appalachian region.

"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," said Chris Beaufait, CEO of Heartland. "Hydrogen is more than an energy carrier; it represents a cornerstone for future sustainability goals, offering a path to decarbonize industries and energize communities in an environmentally responsible manner. Empire is a world-class developer of sustainable projects. We are excited to work together to deliver an exciting and impactful waste treatment and hydrogen generation plant."

Bernard Brown, Empire COO, added, "The ARCH2 hydrogen hub is a beacon of innovation and leadership in the renewable energy sector. 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. 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."

The waste-to-energy project has been underway since June 2024 and is now officially a PDP in the ARCH2 program.

About Heartland Water Technology

Operating at the intersection of water, renewable energy, and resource recovery, since 2008, Heartland has provided technology-enabled solutions for the world's most challenging waste streams. With proprietary, award-winning technologies like the Heartland Concentrator™, HelioStorm™, and LTC Dry™, Heartland’s mission is to provide scalable, efficient, turnkey solutions that meet today’s needs, promote sustainability, preserve the environment, and enhance public health.

About Empire Green Generation

Empire Green Generation, LLC is a behind-the-grid utilities company that utilizes waste-to-energy and recycling systems to provide electricity, waste management, and water treatment services to Empire's Riverfront Industrial Complex at the Port of West Virginia. Green Gen provides electricity from waste plastic-derived syngas and will produce green hydrogen from recycling food waste.

About Empire Diversified Energy

Empire Diversified Energy, Inc. is a multifaceted holding company with business units in the sustainable energy and logistics sector. Empire's primary location is in Follansbee, WV, where it operates the Port of West Virginia within its Eco-Industrial Complex. This complex, located along the Ohio River, serves as a key East Coast and Midwest crossroads through its trimodal facility. Empire is deploying innovative technologies to support clean energy generation, serving the transportation, waste, steel, warehousing, and other sectors to decarbonize the region.