HOLYOKE — Virginia-based hydrogen-energy supplier Revo Zero has announced it will base its future Northeast hub in Holyoke, saying the city fulfills its unique criteria for a location.
According to Revo Zero, Holyoke stands out as one of the few places that met its requirements, which include access to renewable energy sources, strategic geographic positioning, scalability, a favorable business environment and a skilled labor force.
“We have selected Holyoke as the location for our Northeast hydrogen hub. We chose this location because it is unique in fulfilling all the criteria we were looking for, making it one of the few places in the country that met our requirements,” stated a representative from Revo Zero.
The company uses electrolysis to split water into oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen is then stored in tanks that fuel cars, buildings or industrial equipment. The firm serves airports, municipalities, campuses and warehouses.
Revo Zero is currently leasing space on Race Street. The hydrogen manufacturer also aids vehicle fleets’ transition from gas to hydrogen-powered vehicles. The company has contracts with 20 regional airports, including Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
City ordinances may need revision to accommodate hydrogen fueling stations, reflecting a possible change in the city’s infrastructure.
“Over 200 years ago, a revolution was born in the Pioneer Valley that forever changed America and led to the great country we know today. Holyoke, located in the center of the Pioneer Valley, is well-positioned to lead the next revolution: the hydrogen revolution,” Revo Zero’s statement noted.
According to Aaron Vega, Holyoke’s Economic and Planning director, other hydrogen and green technology companies are also interested in Holyoke.
Vega recently told the board of the Holyoke Economic and Industrial Development Corporation that Infinity and HyAxiom are exploring expansion opportunities within the region.
“They’re looking at the manufacturing of fuel cells and electrolyzers. Manufacturing is in our DNA, and we would love to bring that back,” explained Vega regarding Infinity’s interest. He also mentioned that Infinity is awaiting the results of a federal grant application to support its endeavors.
HyAxiom, a subsidiary of Doosan, has expressed interest in collaborating with Holyoke Gas and Electric to explore new methods of producing hydrogen using renewable energies. This collaboration could open innovative avenues for sustainable hydrogen production in the region.