Nikola and KeyState to collaborate on hydrogen supply
KeyState has developed a replicable model for low-carbon, low-cost hydrogen at large-scale production.
Nikola Corporation and KeyState Natural Gas Synthesis are working together to create Pennsylvania’s first low-carbon hydrogen production value chain, including fully integrating commercial carbon capture and storage.
The project is intended to represent the transition to lower emissions of transportation, chemicals and manufacturing. The parties are working towards a definitive agreement to expand the hydrogen supply for Nikola’s zero-emissions heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
KeyState plans to supply Nikola with up to 100 tones per day of low-carbon hydrogen, which can supply fuel for up to 2,500 Nikola Tre FCEVs and will displace over 51,000,000 gallons of fossil diesel fuel per annum consumed. Once operational in 2026, the 7,000-plus-acre KeyState site is expected to have the capacity to store the CO2 associated with hydrogen production and will provide strategic reach and access to premium Mid-Atlantic FCEV markets. KeyState will also produce ammonia and urea for industrial and transportation markets, in addition to Nikola’s hydrogen mobility demand.
The KeyState project is expected to integrate carbon capture from high-efficiency autothermal reforming with onsite geological carbon sequestration, and onsite close-system sourced natural gas feedstock, all while generating zero-carbon electricity. A true carbon circle will be completed, with the separation of 99% of carbon from the hydrogen in methane and returning this CO2 to deep underground onsite geological storage.
In addition to working toward the hydrogen supply agreement, the parties are working together to develop a liquefaction solution to support the economic and efficient distribution of hydrogen from the project to Nikola’s planned refuelling network under development. The parties also plan to support an application as a principal project of the DOE Hydrogen Hub Program representing the full-use hydrogen ecosystem from production through demand.
Carey Mendes, Nikola President, Energy, “The low carbon, clean hydrogen will allow us to maximize value under the Inflation Reduction Act and future downstream fuel and dispensing incentive programs.”
Perry Babb, CEO at KeyState Energy, said, “This project will have multi-county, multi-generation, economic impact and job creation in a formerly booming Pennsylvania coal and rail region, demonstrating that unprecedented emissions reduction and great long-term job creation are both possible.”
