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Hydrogen Data

Estimate the potential for producing hydrogen from key renewable resources (onshore wind, solar photovoltaic, and biomass) by county for the United States. This study was conducted to estimate the potential for producing hydrogen from key renewable resources (onshore wind, solar photovoltaic, and biomass) by county in the United States and to create maps that allow the reader to easily visualize the results. To accomplish this objective, the authors analyzed renewable resource data both statistically and graphically utilizing a state-of-the-art Geographic Information System (GIS), a computer-based information system used to create and visualize geographic information.

Land-use and environmental exclusions were applied to represent the most viable resources across the country. While wind, solar, and biomass are considered major renewable resources, other renewable energy resources could also be used for hydrogen production, thus contributing to hydrogen development locally and regionally. These additional resources include offshore wind, concentrating solar power, geothermal, hydropower, photoelectrochemical, and photobiological resources.

This study found that approximately 1 billion metric tons of hydrogen could be produced annually from wind, solar, and biomass resources in the United States. The greatest potential for producing hydrogen from these key renewable resources is in the Great Plains region. In addition, this research suggests that renewable hydrogen has the potential to displace gasoline consumption in most states if and when a number of technical and scientific barriers can be overcome.

Geographic Coordinate System Name: GCS_North_American_1983

For this dataset, we've included the option to view the data in Google Earth. To launch this capability, click on the kmz link in the KMZ File field. Other KMZ links are available through our MapSearch Tool.

Note - The zipped shapefile dataset is designed to be used in GIS software applications.

For more information on hydrogen resources, access the Hydrogen Energy Analysis and Tools site.

If you have difficulty accessing this data because of a disability, please contact the Geospatial Data Science Team.

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