Rendering of hydrogen tanks. (Image: Adobe Stock)

The Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES), the public-private California-based coalition, on 17 July.

ARCHES comprises four entities: the California Governor鈥檚 Office of Business and Economic Development, the University of California system, the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California and the Renewables 100 Policy Institute.

Along with the US Department of Energy, ARCHES signed a $12.6 billion commitment to build more than 60 hydrogen fuelling stations across the state. The expansive scheme will also transition existing power plants to use hydrogen energy, as well as replace diesel-powered equipment at three key California ports.

鈥淭he hub also plans to develop associated infrastructure for hydrogen transport and use including liquefaction鈥� and approximately 165 miles (266km) of open-access pipelines,鈥� said ARCHES.

Projects could create 鈥榯housands鈥� of construction jobs

More information on is still to come, but the construction work is expected to create thousands of jobs.

Chris Hannan, president of the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California and founding ARCHES board member said, 鈥淭he Department of Energy completing the negotiation of a cooperative agreement with ARCHES to award funding to begin development of projects for its hydrogen hub will create thousands of union careers while providing continued employment for existing skilled and trained union.鈥�

He added that safety was a priority for the upcoming construction projects.

鈥淎RCHES鈥� commitment to workforce standards and training will ensure the safest and highest quality construction of these projects by the best trained men and women in the construction industry,鈥� Hannan said.