Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 2014 / Notices 64179 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy 

H2 Refuel H-Prize Final Guidelines 

AGENCY: Office of Energy Efficiency and 

Renewable Energy, Department of 

Energy (DOE). 

ACTION: Notice of the H2 Refuel H-Prize 

Competition. 

SUMMARY: As authorized in Section 654 

of the Energy Independence and 

Security Act of 2007, the Department of 

Energy (DOE) is announcing the $1 

million H2 Refuel H-Prize competition, 

allowing teams from across the United 

States to compete and develop systems 

that generate and dispense hydrogen 

from resources commonly available to 

residences (electricity or natural gas), 

for use in homes, community centers, 

businesses or similar locations, to 

supplement the current infrastructure 

roll-out and reduce barriers to using 

hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. 

DATES:

—Competition opens—October 29, 

2014. 

—Competition ends—October 31, 2016: 

Data will be analyzed to determine 

winner Award of $1 million prize, if 

the Panel of Judges determines that 

there is a winning entry. 

For more information regarding the 

dates relating to this competition, see, 

section III., Competition requirements 

and process, Key Dates, in the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of 

this notice. 

ADDRESSES: The H-Prize Web site is 

http://hydrogenprize.org, where updates 

and announcements will be posted 

throughout the competition. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Questions may be directed to— 

Technical information: Reginald Tyler 

at 720–356–1805 or by email at 

HPrize@ee.doe.gov 

Prize contest: Emanuel Wagner, Contest 

Manager, Hydrogen Education 

Foundation, at 202–457–0868 x360 or 

by email at EWAGNER@ttcorp.com. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Introduction 

Fuel cells powered by hydrogen from 

renewable or low-carbon resources can 

lead to substantial energy savings and 

reductions in imported petroleum and 

carbon emissions. Fuel Cell Electric 

Vehicles (FCEVs) are much more 

efficient than today’s gasoline vehicles, 

and when fueled with hydrogen, 

produce only water vapor at the 

tailpipe. The hydrogen fuel can be 

generated from a range of domestic 

sources. While the commercial sale of 

FCEVs is rapidly approaching, 

infrastructure remains a major 

challenge, with only approximately 50 

fueling stations in the United States, 

only 10 of which are operating as public 

stations. The H-Prize was authorized 

under section 654 of the Energy 

Independence and Security Act of 2007 

(Pub. L. 110–140). As efforts to build a 

hydrogen fueling station infrastructure 

are getting underway, the H2 Refuel HPrize is intended to incentivize the 

development of small-scale systems for 

non-commercial fueling to supplement 

the larger-scale infrastructure 

development. 

The H2 Refuel H-Prize anticipates 

award of a $1 million prize to the top 

refueler system entry that can produce 

hydrogen using electricity and/or 

natural gas, energy sources commonly 

available to residential locations, and 

dispense the hydrogen to a vehicle, 

providing at least 1 kg per refueling. 

Systems considered would be at the 

home scale and able to generate and 

dispense 1–5 kg H2/day for use at 

residences, or the medium scale, 

generating and dispensing 5–50 kg H2/ 

day. Medium scale systems would serve 

a larger community with multiple users 

daily, such as a large apartment 

complex or retail centers to fuel small 

fleets of vehicles (e.g., light duty 

automobiles, forklifts or tractors). 

Interested parties can register and find 

more information, updates and pages 

where teams can discuss the prize at the 

H-Prize Web site: http://

hydrogenprize.org. The Hydrogen 

Education Foundation (HEF) is 

currently administering the prize for the 

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and 

DOE will coordinate prize activities 

with HEF. 

Teams will have a year to design a 

system that generates and dispenses 

hydrogen fuel that meets the criteria and 

identify a location where it can be 

installed and used. Twelve months after 

the competition opens, teams will be 

required to complete registration and 

submit system designs and blue prints, 

plans for installation, and preliminary 

data to demonstrate that the system 

satisfies the minimum criteria (see 

Criteria section). Teams will also need 

to provide documented evidence of 

cooperation from the installation site. Of 

the teams that meet all of the minimum 

criteria, the top entries will be selected 

as finalists to enter the testing phase. 

The selected teams will then have seven 

months to install and begin operating 

their systems. The systems must be 

compatible with remote monitoring 

equipment to allow remote monitoring 

for the testing period; compatibility 

requirements will be posted on the HPrize Web site. Starting 21 months after 

the competition opens, the finalist 

systems will be remotely monitored and 

tested, and approximately two months 

of data will be collected. At least one 

on-site visit will be performed to verify 

data and perform tests that cannot be 

done remotely. Teams must also provide 

requested information to a DOE 

designated entity for independent 

verification of the cost of the system and 

the cost of the generated hydrogen. The 

scoring criteria will be ranked and 

weighted. 

PROPOSED TIMELINE

Current tentative date Activity 

March 2014 ..................................... Draft Guidelines posted for public comment. 

April 2014 ........................................ Comment period closes. 

October 2014 .................................. Competition opens. 

H-Prize Website opens, including an online system to facilitate teaming and partnerships. 

Teams design systems, collect data, identify installation location, and registers for the prize ahead of data 

submission deadline. 

October 2015 .................................. Preliminary data submission deadline. 

Teams will submit data, provide designs and blueprints and information about installation site, to indicate 

that the system is capable of meeting the base criteria. 

December 2015 .............................. Finalist teams are announced—go to testing stage. 

Finalist Teams install systems and get them up and running. 

Before the testing period begins, remote monitoring equipment will be installed by the designated data 

analysis team. 

July 2016 ......................................... System testing begins. 


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PROPOSED TIMELINE—Continued 

Current tentative date Activity 

October 2016 .................................. Competition ends—data is analyzed to determine winner. 

December 2016 (tentative) ............. Anticipated winner announcement. 

II. Prize Criteria and Testing 

Finalist Selection Phase 

Twelve months after the competition 

opens, teams interested in competing 

must have completed registering for the 

competition and submit all required 

information. To be considered, an entry 

must meet the initial selection criteria 

defined below. Teams will be required 

to submit data that demonstrates the 

system’s ability to meet the indicated 

criteria. The top teams to provide 

convincing evidence that the entry 

could satisfy the minimum criteria will 

be selected for testing. Specific 

instructions will be posted on the HPrize Web site detailing the required 

information. In addition to the required 

technical criteria data, teams will 

submit system descriptions and 

preliminary designs and installation 

concepts which will be evaluated by an 

expert panel to determine if the entries 

are likely to meet reasonable usability, 

cost and safety criteria. Usability refers 

to the ability of the system to be 

installed and used at the intended 

locations (e.g., considering footprint and 

noise), and to be easily operated by the 

average user (e.g., with minimum 

training and time). Because a goal of the 

H-Prize is to advance commercial 

applications of hydrogen energy 

technologies, the potential of the 

systems to ultimately be 

commercialized will also be evaluated, 

and a description of a pathway to 

commercial production of the systems, 

including manufacturing, will be 

requested. To evaluate the potential 

safety of the system, certain information 

will be requested, including a safety 

plan and a hazard analysis; specific 

instructions will be available at the HPrize Web site. A safety page on the HPrize Web site will provide updated 

information on safety issues and 

requirements for the safety plan and 

hazard analysis. To be selected as a 

finalist, contestant designs, installation 

details and safety plans must be judged 

adequately safe by a panel of safety 

professionals. 

MINIMUM/MAXIMUM CRITERIA TABLE

Criteria Home Community 

Minimum dispensing pressure ........................... 350 bar. 

Maximum dispensing time (standard fill) ........... 10 hours ........................................................... 60 minutes. 

Min. hydrogen dispensed per day ..................... 1 kg .................................................................. 5 kg.

Hydrogen purity .................................................. Meets SAE J2719 (Hydrogen Fuel Quality for Fuel Cell Vehicles). 

Fill method ......................................................... Compliant with relevant codes (for automobiles, SAE J2601 Fueling Protocols for Light Duty 

Gaseous Hydrogen Surface Vehicles) and ensures that delivered hydrogen does not exceed 

the pressure and temperature limits of the vehicle storage tank. 

Safety ................................................................. Meets relevant safety codes and standards for installation in target location. 

Finalist Competition 

The finalist teams will have seven 

months to install their systems at a 

location of their choosing before testing 

begins. Among other considerations, 

entries must meet the safety codes and 

standards in effect at the installation 

location appropriate to the system. 

Further, all required permits and 

approvals must be received prior to 

system operations. 

Each entry will be scored in six 

different technical and cost criteria: 

—Dispensing pressure 

—Dispensing time 

—Number of standard fills per day 

—Tested availability 

—Total installed system cost 

—Direct user cost per kg 

The criteria and scoring ranges are listed 

in more detail below. 

Testing for the technical criteria will 

be performed remotely over a period of 

2 to 3 months, with at least one on-site 

inspection to verify data and perform 

testing that cannot be done remotely. 

Summary level testing results will be 

published. The base criteria listed in 

Minimum/Maximum Criteria Table will 

be tested to ensure that all entries meet 

those requirements. A standard fill is 

defined as the delivery of 1 kg of 

hydrogen to a vehicle tank. 

The cost criteria will be evaluated by 

an independent auditing entity. Teams 

will be required to submit cost 

information, such as the bill of materials 

for the system installation and system 

operating costs during the testing 

period. Specific details on required 

information will be provided to finalist 

teams after selection. 

Entries will receive scores for the 

tested criteria as described below, with 

different multipliers for each of the 

criteria. When testing is complete, the 

data will be analyzed to determine 

scores. Once all results have been 

analyzed, judges will evaluate the 

results and determine the scores based 

on the published scoring criteria, and 

confirm entry eligibility based on the 

base criteria and eligibility 

requirements. After resolving any ties 

(see tie resolution process below), the 

eligible team with the highest score will 

be the winner. 

Installation Site Criteria 

Any site in the 50 United States and 

the District of Columbia can be used for 

the installation of the refueler, as long 

as there is access for installing 

equipment for remote monitoring, at 

least one on-site visit for in-depth 

testing, and at least one visit by the 

press and public. 

To meet testing requirements, the 

fueling system should be used at an 

average of at least 50% planned capacity 

per week (e.g., for a home system 

designed to dispense 1 kg/day, at least 

four 1-kg ‘‘fills’’ per week; for a 

community system designed to produce 

20 kg/day, it should dispense at least 70 


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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 2014 / Notices 64181 

1Codes and standards to consider include but are 

not limited to SAE J2719, ASME B31–12, ASME 

B31–3, ASME BPV Code, NFPA 2 and NFPA 70. Depending on the system, some codes and 

standards may not apply. 

1-kg ‘‘fills’’ per week). If on-site use is 

below this level, simulated fills can be 

used for testing. Simulated fill protocols 

will be posted on the H-Prize Web site 

before testing begins. 

Entries must meet the safety codes 

and standards in effect at the 

installation location. Teams are 

encouraged to consider the relevant 

SAE, ASME and NFPA codes and 

standards.1

Prize Criteria 

The criteria were developed through 

discussion with experts in the field, 

including members of Hydrogen and 

Fuel Cell Technical Advisory 

Committee, other DOE offices, and 

federal agencies, and from responses to 

a Request for Information (DE–FOA– 

0000907: RFI—Home Hydrogen Refueler 

H-Prize Topic, http://

www1.eere.energy.gov/financing/

solicitations_detail.html?sol_id=600) 

and public comments on the draft 

criteria (79 FR 15737). 

Each of the criteria is assigned a 1–5 

point scale connected to different 

ranges. To be eligible, entries must 

receive at least the minimum score for 

each category. For some criteria, the 

ranges for home and community 

systems may be different. A score 

multiplying factor will be used to 

weight the different criteria. 

Dispensing pressure 

Score Home Community 

1 ........ 350 bar or higher. 

2 ........ 400 bar or higher. 

3 ........ 500 bar or higher. 

4 ........ 600 bar or higher. 

5 ........ 700 bar or higher (ultimate goal). 

Dispensing Pressure refers to the 

pressure of the hydrogen dispensed to 

the vehicle. Intermediate pressures are 

listed to incentivize advancements 

towards low-cost systems that can meet 

the ultimate target of 700 bar. 

Dispensing time 

Score Home Community 

1 ........ 10 hours/kg or less ........................................................................... 60 minutes/kg or less. 

2 ........ 8 hours/kg or less ............................................................................. 30 minutes/kg or less. 

3 ........ 5 hours/kg or less ............................................................................. 15 minutes/kg or less. 

4 ........ 2 hours/kg or less ............................................................................. 10 minutes/kg or less. 

5 ........ 30 minutes/g or less ......................................................................... 3 minutes/kg or less. 

Dispensing time is the time required 

to dispense a standard fill of hydrogen 

to a vehicle, including time required to 

connect the system to the vehicle and 

begin the hydrogen flow. Home systems 

may have longer fueling times, up to 

overnight, while multi-user system are 

expected to have shorter fueling times. 

Number of standard fills per day 

Score Home Community 

1 ........ 1 or more ........... 5 or more. 

2 ........ 2 or more ........... 10 or more. 

3 ........ 3 or more ........... 20 or more. 

4 ........ 4 or more ........... 40 or more. 

Number of standard fills per day 

Score Home Community 

5 ........ 5 or more ........... 50 or more. 

The standard fills per day will be 

based on the highest number of actual 

or simulated fills completed in a 24 

hour period. 

Tested availability 

Score Home Community 

1 ........ 80% or higher. 

2 ........ 85% or higher. 

3 ........ 90% or higher. 

Tested availability 

Score Home Community 

4 ........ 95% or higher. 

5 ........ 98% or higher. 

Availability will be tested over a 

period of two to three months, during 

which time system usage will need to be 

at least 50% of the planned capacity per 

week. Any time spent on repairs or nonroutine maintenance during the testing 

period will count as non-available, even 

if compensated for (e.g., repairs done 

during scheduled down-time, or using 

stored hydrogen). 

Total installed system cost (capital + installation) 

Score Home Community 

1 ........ $25k/kg/day or less .......................................................................... $15k/kg/day or less. 

2 ........ $20k/kg/day or less .......................................................................... $12.5k/kg/day or less. 

3 ........ $15k/kg/day or less .......................................................................... $10k/kg/day or less. 

4 ........ $10k/kg/day or less .......................................................................... $7.5k/kg/day or less. 

5 ........ $5k/kg/day or less ............................................................................ $5k/kg/day or less. 

Total Installed System Costs will be 

based on the actual cost for the system 

equipment (including balance of plant 

to the nozzle interface) as well as the 

actual installation costs. The total cost 

for scoring will be based on the amount 

of hydrogen dispensed per day—for 

example, a home system designed and 

demonstrated to dispense 1 kg/day with 

a system installed cost of $24,000 would 

score 1 point, while a system designed 

to dispense 2 kg/day at the same cost 

would receive a score of 3. Teams will 

be expected to provide information such 

as the bill of materials for all 

components. Details of the specific 

information requested will be provided 

to the teams selected for testing. If the 

system proposed provides heat and/or 

power in addition to hydrogen for 

refueling, the cost of the entire system 

will be considered when scoring this 

criterion. Integrated systems that 

provide heat and/or power in addition 

to hydrogen for refueling will be 

awarded bonus points (see bonus points 

below). 


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Direct user cost per kg 

Score Home Community 

1 ........ $20 or less. 

2 ........ $17 or less. 

3 ........ $14 or less. 

4 ........ $11 or less. 

5 ........ $8 or less. 

Direct user cost per kg will be based 

on feedstock inputs and actual 

operations and maintenance costs 

during the testing period, divided by the 

amount of hydrogen that is produced 

and used. The direct user cost per kg 

excludes the capital and installation 

costs, which are included in the total 

installed system cost category. 

Feedstock cost inputs will be based on 

actual usage, using a single price for all 

entries for each input to eliminate 

regional variation, based on the EIA 

2014 projections for average price to all 

users: $0.098/kWh for electricity and 

$6.60/million BTU for natural gas. All 

generated and used hydrogen is counted 

in determining the $/kg—for example, a 

system that generates 10 kg/day, where 

4 kg is used for fuel vehicles and 5 is 

used in a fuel cell to produce power 

would divide the daily user costs by 9. 

Scoring 

Criteria category Score 

multiplier 

Dispensing pressure ................. 3 

Dispensing time ........................ 1 

Standard fills per day ............... 1 

Tested Availability ..................... 2 

System installation cost ............ 2 

Direct user cost per kg ............. 1 

A bonus score of up to 3 points will 

be awarded for integrated systems in 

order to offset the additional costs 

associated with adding heat and/or 

power, based on how much heat or 

power is provided. 

Bonus points 

Points Heat or power supplied 

1 ....... Supply at least 35 gallons of hot 

water per day. 

1 ....... Supply at least 25,000 BTU/hr of 

space heating. 

1 ....... Supply at least 10 kWh electricity per 

day. 

Scoring Example 

Example A: Makes all the lowest 

scores 

Criteria category Result Category 

score 

Score 

multiplier Total scores 

Dispensing pressure ....................................................................... 360 bar ....................................... 1 3 3 

Dispensing time ............................................................................... 8 hours ....................................... 1 1 1 

Standard fills per day ...................................................................... 1 ................................................. 1 1 1 

Tested Availability ........................................................................... 81% ............................................ 1 2 2 

System installation cost .................................................................. $23k/kg ....................................... 1 2 2 

Direct user cost per kg .................................................................... $19/kg ........................................ 1 1 1 

Bonus categories ............................................................................ None ........................................... 0 0 0 

Total ......................................................................................... .................................................... .................... .................... 10 

Example B: Mixture of scoring levels 

Criteria category Result Category 

score 

Score 

multiplier Total scores 

Dispensing pressure ....................................................................... 475 bar ....................................... 2 3 6 

Dispensing time ............................................................................... 3 hours ....................................... 3 1 3 

Standard fills per day ...................................................................... 3 ................................................. 3 1 3 

Tested Availability ........................................................................... 88% ............................................ 2 2 4 

System installation cost .................................................................. $18k/kg ....................................... 2 2 4 

Direct user cost per kg .................................................................... $11/kg ........................................ 4 1 4 

Bonus categories ............................................................................ Supplies hot water ..................... 1 .................... 1 

Total ......................................................................................... .................................................... .................... .................... 25 

Judging and Testing 

A panel of independent judges will be 

assembled from experts in relevant 

fields, selected by DOE in consultation 

with HEF. Judges may be selected from 

organizations such as the Hydrogen 

Safety Panel, the Hydrogen and Fuel 

Cells Technical Advisory Committee, 

National Labs, and relevant federal 

agencies. An independent testing entity 

will be selected to perform remote and 

on-site technical data collection, and an 

independent auditing oversight entity 

will collect and analyze the cost data. 

Tie Resolution Process 

If the results for any of the technical 

criteria for different entries differ by less 

than the measurement error range, then 

those systems will be considered tied 

for that category and given the higher of 

the two scores (for example, if the 

pressure measurement error range is 

5%, and Entry A has a dispensing 

pressure of 499 bar and Entry B has a 

pressure of 500 bar, both will be given 

3 points for the category). 

If the top entries’ total scores are tied, 

the entry with the highest measured 

pressure will win; if the pressure 

measurements are within the 

measurement error, the entry with the 

highest measured availability will be 

selected as the winner. Otherwise, the 

entry with the highest score will win. 

III. Competition Requirements and 

Process 

Eligibility 

This H-Prize Competition is open to 

contestants, defined as individuals, 

entities, or teams that meet the 

following requirements: 

1. Comply with all Registration and 

H-Prize Competition Rules and 

Requirements as listed in this document 

and in any updates posted on the HPrize Web site and/or the Federal 

Register; 

2. In the case of an entity: Be 

organized or incorporated in the United 

States, and maintain for the duration of 

the H-Prize Competition a primary place 

of business in the United States; 


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3. In the case of all individuals 

(whether participating singly or as part 

of an entity or team): be a citizen of, or 

an alien lawfully admitted for 

permanent residence into, the United 

States as of the date of Registration in 

the H-Prize Competition and maintain 

that status for the duration of the HPrize Competition; 

4. A team may consist of two or more 

individuals, entities, or any 

combination of both. All team members 

listed on the contestant roster must meet 

the requirements of individuals or 

entities. 

5. Provide the following 

documentation: 

a. In the case of U.S. Citizens: Provide 

proof of U.S. Citizenship with 

Registration, as follows: 

i. Notarized copy of U.S. Passport, or 

ii. Notarized copies of both a current 

state-issued photo ID issued from one of 

the 50 States or a U.S. Territory and a 

birth certificate; 

b. In the case of aliens lawfully 

admitted for permanent residence in the 

United States: Provide notarized copy of 

Permanent Resident Card (Form 1– 

551)(green card) with Registration; 

c. In the case of entities: Provide a 

copy of the entity formation 

documentation (e.g. Articles of 

Incorporation) showing the place of 

formation, as well as a self-certification 

of the primary place of business; 

6. The contestant, or any member of 

a contestant, shall not be a Federal 

entity, a Federal employee acting within 

the scope of his or her employment, or 

an employee of a National Laboratory 

acting within the scope of his or her 

employment; 

7. Sign a waiver of claims against the 

Federal Government and the HEF. See 

42 U.S.C. 16396(f)(5)(A); 

8. Obtain liability insurance, or 

satisfactorily demonstrate financial 

responsibility, during the period of the 

H-Prize Competition. See 42 U.S.C. 

16396(f)(5)(B)(i); 

9. Name the Federal Government as 

an additional insured under the 

registered participants’ insurance policy 

and agree to indemnify the Federal 

Government against third party claims. 

See 42 U.S.C. 16396(f)(5)(B)(ii); 

10. Teams and Entities: 

a. Each team or entity will designate 

a team leader as the sole point of contact 

with H-Prize Competition officials. 

b. Team or entity members will be 

identified at the time of Registration on 

the contestant roster. Members 

participating on multiple teams will be 

required to disclose participation to 

each team. 

c. Changes to contestant rosters will 

be allowed up to 72 hours prior to the 

award presentation, provided 

citizenship and immigration 

requirements are met. 

Registration Process 

After announcement in the Federal 

Register, registration and all required 

eligibility documentation must be 

completed through the Web site http:// 

hydrogenprize.org no later than one 

week before the initial data submission 

deadline. Early registration is 

encouraged. 

H-Prize Competition Schedule 

Once registered, teams will receive all 

notices and rules updates, including 

answers to questions asked by the 

contestants. The public Web site, 

http://hydrogenprize.org, will also post 

this same information, including 

publicity about various teams and 

sponsors. Contestants are encouraged to 

utilize the Web site as a means of 

highlighting any information they 

would like to convey to the public or 

potential sponsors. There are no entry 

fees. 

On October 29, 2015, contestants will 

be required to submit initial data 

(including information on how the data 

was gathered and measured) and 

requested financial information for 

evaluation by a designated panel of 

judges. Instructions for the initial data 

submission will be posted on the Web 

site and sent electronically to the 

designated contact person for each 

contestant. 

Testing and evaluations are planned 

to be completed in October 2016. The 

winner will be determined after all 

testing data has been analyzed to 

determine scoring and any ties resolved 

as described above. DOE plans select 

and announce a winner within three 

months after the close of the 

competition. 

Intellectual Property 

Intellectual property rights developed 

by the contestant for H-Prize technology 

are set forth in 42 U.S.C. 16396(f)(4). No 

parties managing the contest, including 

the U.S. Government, their testing 

laboratories, judges or H-Prize 

administrators will claim rights to the 

intellectual property derived by a 

registered contestant as a consequence 

of, or in direct relation to, their 

participation in this H-Prize 

Competition. The Government and the 

contestant may negotiate a license for 

the Government to use the intellectual 

property developed by the contestant. 

Cancellation and Team Disqualification 

A contestant may be disqualified for 

the following reasons: 

• At the request of the registered 

individual or team leader; 

• Failure to meet or maintain 

eligibility requirements (note that at the 

time of the prize award, if it is 

determined that a contestant has not 

met or maintained all eligibility 

requirements, they shall be disqualified 

without regard to H-Prize Competition 

performance); 

• Failure to submit required 

documents or materials on time; 

• Fraudulent acts, statements or 

misrepresentations involving any HPrize participation or documentation; 

or, 

• Violation of any federal, state or 

local law or regulation. 

DOE reserves the right to cancel this 

prize program at any time prior to the 

completion of system testing. 

Liability and Competition Costs 

The Department of Energy, H-Prize, 

the Hydrogen Education Foundation 

and any sponsoring or supporting 

organization assume no liability or 

responsibility for accidents or injury 

related to the Prize. 

The entrants are responsible for costs 

associated with participating in the 

competition including but not limited to 

designing, installing and operating their 

systems. 

Key Dates 

—October 29, 2014: Competition opens 

—October 29, 2015: Preliminary data 

submission date 

—July, 2016: Finalist system testing 

begins 

—October 31, 2016: Competition ends, 

data will be analyzed to determine 

winner Award of $1 million prize, if 

the Panel of Judges determines that 

there is a winning entry 

—December, 2016: Anticipated award of 

$1 million prize, if the Panel of Judges 

determines that there is a winning 

entry. 

IV. Draft Guideline Public Comments 

and Responses 

Draft guidelines for the H2 Refuel 

competition were posted online March 

21, 2014, as announced in the Federal 

Register at 79 FR 15737. Responses 

were submitted from 14 sources, 

representing industry, consultants, 

safety groups, competition experts and 

individuals, and some responses 

covered multiple topics. 

Comments on Criteria 

There were four comments that 

addressed the contest scoring criteria 

and their targets. One stated the opinion 

that economy of scale is the only way 

to overcome fueling costs and suggested 


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raising the minimum required fueling 

capacity. In response, DOE notes that 

the criteria for fueling capacity in the 

draft guidelines for the small, ‘‘Home’’ 

category, 1–5 kg H2/day and for the 

medium ‘‘Community’’ category, 5–50 

kg H2/day were identified with several 

goals and issues in mind. The 

requirements for the minimum daily 

amount of hydrogen dispensed were 

designed to fit with the intended 

applications in the immediate nearterm, which is either home or smallscale, non-commercial multi-use sites 

such as a community. These 

applications would serve a small 

number of vehicles, for which DOE 

determined the minimum capacity for 

hydrogen dispensed. The minimum is 

only a lower limit, though, and entries 

would be allowed to design systems 

capable of higher fueling capacities, 

within the range of the ‘‘Home’’ and 

‘‘Community’’ category definitions. 

Therefore, the minimum requirement 

for hydrogen dispensed daily will not be 

changed. 

A second response noted that capital 

cost should be expressed in terms of 

capacity, and stated that there was 

confusion in having a separate scoring 

of refuels per day. In response, DOE 

changed the text and tables to clarify 

that the capital cost is in units of ‘‘$/kg 

hydrogen dispensed per day.’’ The 

refuels per day criteria allows testing 

that the entire system can actually 

produce and deliver the targeted 

amount of hydrogen per day. While the 

upper limit of this would be determined 

by the fueling time, which is a separate 

criteria, it would also be affected by 

other issues. For example, a system may 

be able to rapidly fuel a vehicle in 10 

minutes, but not be able to produce 

more than 5 kg/day; this also tests that 

the system can handle repeated fuelings 

in a day. 

Another response noted that refueling 

time was heavily weighted in the draft 

scoring criteria, given that two 

categories relate to it, one with a 2 × 

score multiplier. The commenter 

suggested that this went against the 

concept of a home refueler, where the 

idea is to refuel overnight to a full tank, 

and takes emphasis away from more 

important issues like direct user costs. 

DOE notes that the comment reflects 

some confusion over the refueling time 

criteria—the refueling time is for a 

single kg of hydrogen; and fill a car tank 

overnight would likely require more 

than one kg of hydrogen, so such a 

system would actually score in the midto high-range under the draft guidelines. 

In response to the comment, the 

difference between the refueling time 

and refuelings per day criteria was 

clarified in the final guidelines, and the 

weight for the dispensing time score 

was reduced. 

One response stated that the home 

refueler systems should be at 700 bar, 

which has been adopted as the standard 

onboard storage pressure by car 

manufacturers. DOE notes that the 

dispensing pressure criteria were given 

considerable thought, and some 

responses to an earlier Request for 

Information addressed the selection of a 

700 bar or 350 bar system. The ultimate 

target is a 700 bar system, but given the 

current state of the technology in 

combination with the other criteria, 

limiting the dispensing pressure to 700 

bar could severely restrict potential 

entrants. The scoring for dispensing 

pressure is designed to incentivize the 

design of systems that improve upon the 

350 bar dispensing pressure, and the 

dispensing pressure requirements will 

not be changed. While a 350 bar system 

cannot fully fill a 700 bar tank, it can 

still partially fuel a tank, providing at 

least enough hydrogen for an average 

day’s commute. The intent of the 

competition is to supplement the 

fueling infrastructure, not replace it. 

Comments on System and Entrant 

Eligibility 

Four comments included questions 

about whether certain systems would be 

qualified as entries for the competition. 

One asked about systems that produce 

but do not dispense hydrogen. The DOE 

notes that because the goal of the 

competition is to develop onsite 

refueling systems, the guidelines require 

systems to both produce and dispense 

hydrogen onsite. Another asked about 

systems that have already been built and 

installed. DOE notes that as the 

competition is intended to stimulate 

improvements over the currently 

available technology, and that the 

targets have been set, based on available 

information, such that no current 

system meets all criteria 

simultaneously. Nothing in the 

guidelines, however, excludes such a 

system. All requirements would still 

apply to existing systems, including 

providing the relevant financial 

information such as bill of materials. A 

third comment provided some 

information about a hydrogen 

production system, and asked if 

configurations other than electrolysis or 

steam reforming of natural gas would be 

accepted. The final competition 

guidelines do not specify the technology 

for hydrogen production and are not 

limited to the use of electrolysis or 

steam methane reforming. However, any 

system must meet the requirements laid 

out in the guidelines, including that the 

feedstocks and major consumables used 

be those commonly delivered to 

residences (electricity, natural gas), and 

dispense the hydrogen in addition to 

generating the fuel. The fourth comment 

asked if a system that fuels vehicles 

with hydrogen internal combustion 

engines, rather than fuel cells, would be 

allowed. DOE notes that the guidelines 

do not specify the type of vehicle used, 

however, the testing stage must use a 

tank that is compatible with the 

minimum system criteria (e.g., can 

receive at least 1 kg of hydrogen in a 

fueling, is compatible with hydrogen 

delivered at 350 bar). It is expected that 

questions about whether certain systems 

would qualify will continue to be 

relevant, and while the guidelines were 

not altered, general questions will be 

addressed in the FAQ page of the HPrize Web site. 

Two comments requested clarification 

of who is eligible to compete. One asked 

if educational institutions would be 

allowed to be part of a team, and 

another noted that the eligibility criteria 

was unclear in some sections, 

particularly with reference to teams. In 

response, DOE has refined and modified 

the eligibility criteria to clarify many of 

the issues that were identified in 

comments, with more consistent use of 

the terms ‘‘entity,’’ ‘‘team,’’ and 

‘‘participant.’’ The reference to ‘‘private 

entity’’ was changed to ‘‘entity.’’ An 

educational institution would be 

considered an entity, and would be 

eligible if it met the other eligibly 

requirements (e.g., organized or 

incorporated in the United States). DOE 

expects that questions of eligibility will 

continue to be common. While some of 

the questions may need to be addressed 

on a case-by-case basis, more common 

questions will be addressed on the FAQ 

page of the H-Prize Web site. 

Information on Hydrogen Production 

Systems 

Three responses provided information 

on hydrogen production systems, 

without commenting directly on the 

draft guidelines. DOE used the 

information provided about relevant 

systems to further evaluate the criteria 

to ensure that they were achievable but 

represent an improvement over the 

current state of the technology. The 

responses suggested that the criteria 

identified were, in fact, achievable but 

not yet attained. 

Competition Plans 

Several responses addressed the plans 

for the competition. One noted that the 

testing period was not well described 

and should reflect real-world 

conditions, specifically fueling into 


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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 208 / Tuesday, October 28, 2014 / Notices 64185 

tanks that are not empty. DOE notes that 

as stated in the guidelines, further 

details of the testing protocol will be 

provided to contestants by the prize 

administrator. DOE had considered 

more complicated testing procedures, 

however, given the potential diversity of 

system designs (for example, they may 

have different dispensing pressures), 

and the added cost and time associated 

with implementing more complicated 

protocols and verifying that they are 

performed, lead to the selection of the 

current protocols. Another response 

commented on the general plans, 

suggesting that to engage a robust set of 

entries, the eligibility requirements for 

insurance and waivers be waived until 

after the selection of finalists. DOE notes 

that insurance and liability waivers are 

required by the Energy Independence 

and Security Act of 2007, Public Law 

110–140 (42 U.S.C. 16396(f)), and those 

requirements for registration will 

remain in the guidelines. The same 

response also recommended the use of 

modern engagement methods, such as 

involvement with social media in 

addition to the Web site. Both DOE and 

HEF have plans to ensure that the 

competition is widely advertised, 

including the use of social media and 

other engagement activities. 

One comment asked when a forum to 

help teams find partners would be 

available. DOE notes that the H-Prize 

Web site will provide opportunities for 

those interested in joining a team to 

reach others. For example, interested 

parties will be able to submit 

information to HEF, which will post the 

lists of those with interest in teaming, 

with no implied endorsements or 

guarantees, on the Web site or in 

newsletters. Though an online forum 

was initially considered and noted in 

the draft guidelines, other methods of 

communication have since been 

determined to be more effective and the 

guideline language was changed 

accordingly. 

One response asked if funding is 

available to design and/or build the 

entries. DOE notes that, as stated in both 

the draft and final guidelines, ‘‘The 

entrants are responsible for costs 

associated with participating in the 

competition including but not limited to 

designing, installing and operating their 

systems.’’ The H-Prize is a competition, 

and no up-front funding is provided 

through the competition itself. It is 

expected that this will be a common 

question, and will be addressed in an 

FAQ page on the H-Prize Web site. 

One response asked about when final 

guidelines would be posted. DOE notes 

that the final guidelines are posted in 

this Federal Register notice. Further 

details can be found in this notice and 

on the H-Prize Web site. 

Three responses suggested changes to 

the competition that are not compatible 

with the Energy Independence and 

Security Act of 2007, Public Law 110– 

140 (42 U.S.C. 16396(f)). One suggested 

allowing synthetic methane as an 

alternative to the hydrogen fueling; 

however, DOE notes that the H-Prize 

statutory authority states that the prize 

is intended to advance the research, 

development, demonstration, and 

commercial application of hydrogen 

energy technologies. Fueling with 

methane would not qualify as a 

hydrogen energy technology, and 

therefore the guidelines will not be 

changed to include methane or other 

fuels besides hydrogen. Two other 

responses suggested having separate 

awards for different categories, either 

the ‘‘home’’ or ‘‘community’’ or a set of 

three categories based on scale and 

application. The combination of singlehome and community scale systems 

provides entrants with the flexibility to 

match their solution to the general topic 

of small-scale, non-commercial fueling 

while the parallel target ranges for 

certain criteria allows the two scales 

(single user vs. multiple user) to be 

more evenly compared based on their 

expected application. 

Safety 

One comment was also submitted on 

issues related to safety, codes and 

standards. In response, DOE engaged in 

discussions with safety experts, 

including the respondents. The 

comments and discussions lead to 

several modifications of the competition 

guidelines and plans. These include the 

addition of a safety plan and hazard 

analysis to the documents required at 

the preliminary design and data 

deadline, which will be judged by a 

panel of safety professionals; plans for 

a safety information page that will be on 

the H-Prize Web site; and plans to hold 

a webinar on safety, codes and 

standards that will be open to all 

interested parties and posted on the HPrize Web site. In addition to the 

eligibly requirement included in both 

the draft and final guidelines that 

participants would be disqualified for 

any ‘‘violation of any federal, state or 

local law or regulation’’ which includes 

safety codes and standards, the final 

guidelines require that ‘‘entries must 

meet the safety codes and standards in 

effect at the installation location 

appropriate to the system.’’ Because the 

relevant safety codes and standards will 

depend on both the system design and 

the installation location, a single, 

comprehensive list of required 

standards cannot be provided. Some 

suggestions by respondents were more 

appropriate for projects where DOE was 

providing direct funding for a contract 

or financial assistance award. Unlike 

traditional funding scenarios, the HPrize competition does not create a 

direct contractual relationship with 

potential H-Prize contestants. 

Issued in Washington, DC, on October 16, 

2014. 

Sunita Satyapal, 

Fuel Cell Technology Office Director. 

[FR Doc. 2014–25596 Filed 10–27–14; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6450–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 

Federal Energy Regulatory 

Commission 

[Docket No. EL15–8–000] 

Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, 

Central Valley Electric Cooperative, 

Inc., Farmers’ Electric Cooperative, 

Inc., Lea County Electric Cooperative, 

Inc., Roosevelt County Electric 

Cooperative, Inc., West Texas 

Municipal Power Agency 

(Complainants) v. Southwestern Public 

Service Company (Respondent); 

Notice of Complaint 

Take notice that on October 20, 2014, 

pursuant to Rule 206 of the Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission’s 

(Commission) Rules of Practice and 

Procedure, 18 CFR 385.206 and sections 

201, 206, and 306 of the Federal Power 

Act, 16 U.S.C. 824, 824(e), and 825(e), 

Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, 

Central Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc., 

Farmers’ Electric Cooperative, Inc., Lea 

County Electric Cooperative, Inc., 

Roosevelt County Electric Cooperative, 

Inc., and West Texas Municipal Power 

Agency (collectively, Complainants) 

filed a formal complaint against 

Southwestern Public Service Company 

(SPS or Respondent), alleging that the 

production formula rate of each of their 

respective Replacement Power Sales 

Agreements with SPC and that the open 

access transmission tariff formula rate 

applicable to pricing of transmission 

service over the facilities of SPS contain 

an unjust and unreasonable rate of 

return of common equity. In addition, 

the Complainants request that this 

proceeding be consolidated with Docket 

Nos. EL13–78–000 and EL12–59–000. 

The Complainants certifies that copies 

of the complaint were served on the 

contacts for SPS as listed on the 

Commission’s list of Corporate Officials. 

Any person desiring to intervene or to 

protest this filing must file in 


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