Press Releases

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Virginia Tech a $1,294,605 grant. The funding for this project will support preliminary research into the establishment of a leading hydrogen innovation hub in Virgina based on hydrogen production from natural gas feedstocks through catalytic methane decomposition (CMD). U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Southwest Virginia is home to innovative companies seeking to transform the American energy space.

“This ARC grant for nearly $1.3 million helps Virginia Tech conduct essential research on the catalytic methane decomposition process and related technology and assess the viability of establishing an innovation hub in the Commonwealth that revolves around hydrogen.”

BACKGROUND

Funding for this project is made available via ARC's Appalachian Regional Energy Hub Initiative to help establish a regional energy hub for natural gas and natural gas liquids, including hydrogen produced from natural gas feedstocks.

The name of this project is entitled the “Enhancing Appalachian Resilience and Sustainability through Catalytic Methane Decomposition Project.”

The CMD process converts methane from natural gas feedstocks into hydrogen gas and solid carbon.

Southwest Virginia has an abundant source of natural gas.

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