Air Force Office of Energy Assurance
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO–LACKLAND, Texas — The Department of the Air Force is exploring the potential of geologic hydrogen as a primary energy resource. The availability and potential cost-effectiveness of geologic hydrogen could position it as a viable alternative or supplement to natural gas (primarily methane) and diesel-fueled generation systems.
DAF recently awarded a contract to Renaissance Philanthropy, a 501(c)(3) science & technology nonprofit focused on enabling ambitious science, technology, and innovation, to assess the feasibility of deploying geologic hydrogen near Malmstrom AFB, Mont. and McConnell AFB, Kan.
The eight-month research initiative will evaluate production capacity, costs, infrastructure, risks, and other key factors necessary for a thorough analysis of geologic hydrogen as a potential energy resource. The final report will include data collected from selected commercial wells within 200 miles of each air force base.
This initiative is led by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Office of Energy Assurance.
“This announcement highlights a critical step in advancing fuel innovation with the highest potential for cost-effectiveness,” said Kirk Phillips, AF OEA director. “Our aim is to demonstrate that geologic hydrogen is a viable, abundant, and transportable gaseous fuel that is cost-competitive for the Air Force.”
Our mission resilience is strengthened when we are not dependent on a single fuel source,” said Phillips.
“The Air Force has a track record of pushing the frontier on energy innovation and resilience in ways that benefit the broader community,” said Ishan Sharma, who leads the Chimaera Fund at Renaissance Philanthropy. “This initiative lets us ground publicly available technoeconomic assessments in modern commercial hydrogen well data for the first time – an important step toward evaluating geologic hydrogen as a reliable option for Air Force installations, the Department of War, and baseload power customers around the world.”
To foster broader input from the geologic hydrogen community, Renaissance Philanthropy is issuing a Request for Information. Interested parties, including specialists in technoeconomic assessment, federal and state regulatory policy, and industry partners, are invited to participate in this research initiative and provide feedback by responding to Renaissance Philanthropy’s RFI on their website.
About the Air Force Office of Energy Assurance: The Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Air Force Office of Energy Assurance develops energy solutions that close energy resilience gaps and strengthen our nation's Air Force and Space Force installations at home and abroad. By leveraging the expertise of the energy community, AF OEA builds tailored energy solutions for each installation that are resilient, innovative, and cost-effective. For more information visit https://www.afcec.af.mil/energy.
About Renaissance Philanthropy: Renaissance Philanthropy is a non-profit focused on enabling ambitious science, technology, and innovation.