HYSKY Society Shifts H2Hub Summit Focus Amid Federal Uncertainty: Impact on Hydrogen Aviation
HYSKY Society has officially revised the agenda for the 2nd Annual H2Hub Summit in response to uncertainty surrounding the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Hub program. With funding frozen for the DOE-led Hydrogen Hubs, a surprising new reality is emerging: the hydrogen aviation sector may find itself increasingly aligned with the military on clean energy rather than DOE-led initiatives. This shift isn’t due to the United States Department of Defense (DoD) being overly concerned with the environment, but because on-site hydrogen production from renewables (green hydrogen) is strategically important for military operations. While the DOE Hydrogen Hubs face uncertainty, the Department of Defense and private sector are charging ahead with hydrogen aviation.
"I once saw the DOE Hydrogen Hubs as the supplier of hydrogen for zero-carbon aviation, and maybe they still will be," said Danielle McLean , CEO of HYSKY Society? . "But today, with DOE funding in limbo and key government officials unable to participate, we had to rethink our approach for the H2Hub Summit. Our new agenda will educate attendees on these uncertainties while showcasing the companies proving that hydrogen aviation isn’t waiting for the DOE's Hydrogen Hubs."
The Disconnect: Hydrogen Hubs VS. Hydrogen Aviation
At the Greater Houston Partnership Aviation Committee meeting on February 14, 2025, led by Kevin K. Tipton, MS, MA, MBA , Sr. Director of Aerospace and Aviation at GHP, Dan Elwell , President of Elwell & Associates and former FAA Acting Administrator, presented a Strategic Aerospace Alliance Policy Update on key regulatory developments under the new administration. During the meeting, Danielle McLean , CEO of HYSKY Society, asked Elwell about Washington’s stance on hydrogen aviation. He responded, "It’s very exciting"—a stark contrast to the uncertainty surrounding federally funded hydrogen hubs.
A Two-Part Approach: Education & Industry Leadership
HYSKY’s revised H2Hub Summit agenda now consists of two critical segments:
Hydrogen Aviation Takes the Lead
Despite Washington’s turbulence, hydrogen aviation is taking off. Joby Aviation recently completed a record-breaking 523-mile liquid hydrogen-powered eVTOL flight. United Therapeutics Corporation subsidiary company, Unither Bioelectronics, and Robinson Helicopter Company have teamed up to develop hydrogen-powered versions of the Robinson R44 and R66 helicopters. Piasecki Aircraft Corporation is pioneering hydrogen-powered helicopter technology with its PA-890 eVTOL. Heven Drones just unveiled the Raider, a hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed to provide extended flight endurance. Doosan Mobility Innovation , a leader in hydrogen fuel cell drones, continues to expand its impact in aviation, while its subsidiary HyAxiom, Inc. is delivering advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology, including the PureCell? Model Tri-Gen System, which generates hydrogen, electricity, and heat to support sustainable aviation infrastructure. These developments make one thing clear—while federal uncertainty clouds the hydrogen hub initiative, hydrogen aviation is forging ahead.
The Pentagon: DoD’s Growing Role in Hydrogen
While the Department of Energy's hydrogen hub initiatives face uncertainties, the United States Department of Defense (DoD) is proactively investing in hydrogen production and aviation to enhance operational capabilities and energy resilience. The United States Air Force has awarded $131 million to Joby Aviation , who recently completed a 523-mile hydrogen-powered flight, to deliver electric air taxis to the United States Air Force and and $37 million to Piasecki Aircraft Corporation to develop a hydrogen-powered PA-890 helicopter.?
Hydrogen at the Tactical Edge of Contested Logistics (HyTEC) Project
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) , a DoD organization accelerating commercial technology adoption, launched the Hydrogen at the Tactical Edge of Contested Logistics (HyTEC) project. This initiative plans to develop mobile hydrogen generation systems for use in remote or contested environments to reduce reliance on traditional fuel supply chains.
Two companies selected to support DIU’s HyTEC Project
NovaSpark Energy Corporation : Hydrogen Out of Thin Air
NovaSpark Energy Corporation , awarded a contract by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), is developing a mobile hydrogen generation system to support military operations in remote and contested environments. Using its proprietary “Air-to-Power” technology, NovaSpark Energy Corporation extracts water from the air and converts it into hydrogen fuel via electrolysis. This lightweight, deployable system reduces reliance on vulnerable fuel supply chains, aligning with the DoD’s push for energy resilience and sustainable logistics.
Zepher Flight Labs : Hydrogen Electric sUAS
Zepher Flight Labs is developing hydrogen-powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones with enhanced endurance and payload capacities. The sUAS is engineered for manufacturability and lifecycle sustainment to create a modular, open architecture platform for rapid deployment, rapid refueling, rapid configuration changes, and rapid repair. It is manufactured with a DOD compliant supply chain.
?Hydrogen Aviation and the Military Connection
This trend suggests that while DOE’s hydrogen hub program remains in limbo, the DoD sees hydrogen as a critical component of future military operations. With investments in hydrogen-powered drones, helicopters, and mobile fuel production units, the Pentagon is shaping the trajectory of hydrogen development in ways that could outpace traditional clean energy policies.
The growing involvement of the DoD in hydrogen technology raises important questions about the direction of U.S. hydrogen funding. If defense funding for hydrogen accelerates faster than energy-sector investment, it could mean a shift away from centralized DOE-led projects and toward decentralized, defense-driven hydrogen infrastructure. It can start with small projects like mobile hydrogen production out of thin air, like NovaSpark Energy Corporation is developing, and scale.
For hydrogen aviation, this could be a game-changer. HYSKY Society? CEO, Danielle McLean said in a recent statement, "With companies like Piasecki Aircraft Corporation , Joby Aviation , Heven Drones, Doosan Mobility Innovation HyAxiom, Inc. , and NovaSpark Energy Corporation ?already working on defense-backed hydrogen innovations,
"The hydrogen aviation sector may find itself increasingly aligned with military on clean energy rather than DOE-led initiatives."
At the H2Hub Summit, these dynamics will take center stage. Attendees will gain exclusive insights into how the DoD is shaping hydrogen's future, why hydrogen aviation is surging ahead, and what this means for the broader hydrogen economy. With Washington in flux, one thing is clear—hydrogen aviation isn’t waiting for DOE funding, and the defense sector may hold the key to its rapid acceleration.
Industry Backing & Event Sponsors
The H2Hub Summit is backed by leading industry sponsors and supporting organizations that are committed to advancing hydrogen aviation such as Leybold , Heven Drones, AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics), Dynamasys , E&W Law , Hondo Economic Development Corporation , HyAxiom, Inc. (A Doosan Company), Moreton & Company , TOViridi , and Vertical Flight Society . These partners play a crucial role in driving the future of hydrogen aviation and infrastructure.
This is THE Hydrogen Event That Matters
As the only event addressing both?hydrogen hubs and hydrogen aviation in the context of Washington’s evolving policies, the H2Hub Summit is a must-attend for anyone invested in hydrogen’s future.
If you want to understand the reality of what’s happening in Washington and where the industry is truly headed, you need to be there. ?? Register now: H2Hub Summit – March 19, 2025
Director of Strategic Business AeroGear Telemetry
5 小时前Great article & a smart pivot by #HYSKYSOCIETY. The reality is the DOD realizes the following history & is seeking not to repeat it. After 12/7/41 much of our Pacific Fleet lay smoldering, capsized or destroyed in Pearl Harbor. We were left with carriers & subs to begin the daunting task of "Island hopping " our way across a vast ocean. Today we face new dangers with far less resources. Consider a potential scenario involving a #Novaspark H2?solution on board a Litoral Combat Ship ready for action. Servicing a #LuftCar platform that can transport USMC assets from ship to shore. While ashore at the USAF expeditionary airfield the Luft Car functions as a ground asset after refueling on a shore based NovaSpark resource.?The mission sets are endless & the pieces are at a high TRL. Let’s put them all together via proposal pursuit not Barney happy talk. Had H2 and UAM been in play the scenario around Henderson Field may have looked totally different. Let’s not let our warriors down today when we have the solutions. https://youtu.be/sEz__9Kyoe4?si=juGi0rq-8TIrQJT6? Now think about embedding a #SDR into the Novaspark platform to spoof Mr. Nasty when he comes calling #flyingisntflightest #RSS#HySkySociety #warheadsonforheads
Owner/President at JHG Industries, Inc.
1 天前And also, Elon Musk is Transitioning Tesla from Battery Power to Hydrogen Technology. And since he is in the Space Business, maybe he would be an advocate for the Hydrogen Aviation Business. Here is the News Article link: https://medium.com/@abdul.rehman_84899/elon-musks-bold-move-how-tesla-s-water-engine-could-revolutionize-the-automotive-industry-4ba910308eec
Owner/President at JHG Industries, Inc.
1 天前Bill Gates & Jeff Bezoz have launched a Start-Up for the Global 'Gold Rush' for Buried Hydrogen. Since Jeff Bezoz is already in the Space Business, maybe he would be an advocate to help the Hydrogen Aviation Sector. Here is the News Article Link: https://hydrogen-central.com/bill-gates-jeff-bezos-backed-startup-leads-the-charge-in-global-gold-buried-hydrogen/#google_vignette
Owner/President at JHG Industries, Inc.
1 天前What if we approach JetZero BWB, and see if they can help us Lobby the DOD. JetZero was awarded a Contract in late 2023 by the USAF to build 6 BWB Demonstrators for Future Aerial Refueling Tankers. These Demonstrators will be Jet Fuel at first, but then they will transition to Hydrogen Powered Engines in the future.
Principal Electrical Engineer - Former Hydrogen Propulsion Analyst - at Bell
1 天前Sustainability is an idea who's time has come...