Powering the Hydrogen Economy: How Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids Align with the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy
Key Takeaways
- Clean Hydrogen Complements Renewable Energy: Hydrogen’s versatility makes it ideal for energy storage and backup in solar-powered systems, especially when sunlight isn’t available. Sesame Solar’s nanogrids showcase this synergy.
- Sesame’s Nanogrids Enable Off-Grid Clean Power: With solar panels, green hydrogen production, and battery storage in a single unit, Sesame nanogrids provide resilient, emissions-free power wherever the grid cannot reach.
- Supports DOE’s Distributed Hydrogen Goals: By producing hydrogen on-site and at low pressure, Sesame’s approach aligns with the DOE’s vision of localized, decentralized hydrogen infrastructure.
- Rapid Deployment for Critical Needs: Designed for ease and speed, Sesame Solar’s nanogrids can be set up in minutes—making them ideal for military, disaster relief, and remote industrial applications.
As the United States accelerates its transition toward a more energy-resilient economy with less reliance on fossil fuel logistics, clean hydrogen has emerged as a critical enabler across hard-to-reduce sectors. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap outlines a comprehensive plan to scale hydrogen production, reduce costs and build regional infrastructure to support the hydrogen economy. Yet, achieving these ambitious goals requires more than centralized production—it demands flexible, distributed and resilient energy solutions.
Enter Sesame Solar, a Michigan-based innovator whose Mobile Nanogrids offer a compelling, real-world application of clean hydrogen technology. By integrating solar power, green hydrogen, and battery storage into a compact, rapidly deployable system, Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids exemplify the kind of transformative infrastructure envisioned in the national strategy.
A Closed-Loop Clean Energy System
Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids are engineered to operate entirely off-grid, producing and storing their own energy without reliance on fossil fuels. The system begins with retractable solar panels that generate electricity to charge onboard batteries. When battery levels drop to 35%, an integrated hydrogen fuel cell activates, converting stored green hydrogen into electricity to maintain uninterrupted power supply. This green hydrogen is produced on-site through electrolysis, using solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is safely stored in solid-state tanks at low pressure, while the oxygen is vented harmlessly.
This closed-loop system not only ensures energy resilience but also eliminates the logistical challenges associated with fuel deliveries, particularly in disaster-stricken or remote areas. By leveraging renewable resources, Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids provide a sustainable and autonomous power solution.
Rapid Deployment and Versatility
Designed for quick setup and ease of transport, Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids can be deployed by a single person in under 15 minutes. Their mobility makes them ideal for a range of applications, including emergency response, military operations and remote medical facilities. For instance, the U.S. Army has implemented these Nanogrids at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico to power surveillance and meteorological equipment in off-grid locations, demonstrating their effectiveness in demanding environments.
Moreover, the City of Ann Arbor, Michigan, has adopted Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids as mobile resilience hubs, providing essential services such as electricity, communications and water purification during emergencies.
Supporting the National Hydrogen Strategy
Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids align seamlessly with the objectives of the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap. By producing green hydrogen on-site and utilizing it for power generation, these systems exemplify the practical application of hydrogen technologies in real-world scenarios. Their deployment supports the strategy’s goals of expanding hydrogen infrastructure, enhancing energy resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across various sectors
Furthermore, the modularity and scalability of Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids enable the formation of minigrids, facilitating the development of regional hydrogen networks. This distributed approach to energy generation and storage is crucial for building a robust and flexible hydrogen economy.
Conclusion
As the U.S. advances its clean hydrogen initiatives, innovative solutions like Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids play a pivotal role in demonstrating the viability and benefits of hydrogen technologies. By providing a clean, reliable, and rapidly deployable power source, these Nanogrids not only address immediate energy needs but also contribute to the broader vision of a resilient, hydrogen-powered future.
For more information on Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids and their applications, visit Sesame Solar.
FAQs
1. How do Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids contribute to the National Clean Hydrogen Strategy?
Sesame Solar’s nanogrids align with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Hydrogen Strategy by making hydrogen more accessible, safe, and practical. The DOE roadmap calls for widespread adoption of hydrogen to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors and improve grid resilience. Sesame’s Nanogrids are fully self-contained systems that create hydrogen from solar energy and water using onboard electrolyzers. They then store and use this hydrogen in low-pressure fuel cells to provide clean backup power. This closed-loop, mobile design eliminates the need for fossil fuels or centralized hydrogen production facilities—accelerating the adoption of decentralized hydrogen systems envisioned in the DOE’s plan.
2. Why is green hydrogen important in nanogrid technology?
Green hydrogen—produced using renewable energy sources like solar—is critical because it represents a completely clean energy cycle. Unlike gray or blue hydrogen, green hydrogen emits no carbon during production or use. Sesame Solar Nanogrids use solar energy to power an electrolyzer that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen, storing the hydrogen for later use in a fuel cell. This allows the nanogrid to deliver energy even when solar panels aren’t generating power, such as during cloudy days or nighttime, while still maintaining zero emissions. The ability to generate and store green hydrogen on-site makes nanogrids resilient, reliable, and fully decarbonized.
3. What makes Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids suitable for emergency and military use?
Sesame Solar Nanogrids are uniquely designed for rapid deployment and off-grid functionality, making them ideal for emergency response and military operations. Each unit is trailer-mounted and can be deployed by one person in under 15 minutes. Unlike traditional backup power systems, Sesame’s nanogrids don’t require diesel or other fuel deliveries. Instead, they rely on solar power and store green hydrogen for continuous, clean energy use. This means no emissions, no noise, and no logistical complications—an essential advantage in disaster zones, conflict areas, or remote regions where grid access is compromised or non-existent.
4. How safe is the hydrogen storage in Sesame Solar Nanogrids?
Hydrogen safety is a top priority for Sesame Solar. Their nanogrids store hydrogen at low pressure (less than 300 psi), which is significantly lower than traditional hydrogen storage systems that can reach up to 10,000 psi. By operating at lower pressures, the system reduces risks associated with leaks or ruptures. Additionally, the hydrogen is only generated and used as needed, limiting the amount stored at any one time. The nanogrids are also designed with built-in safety controls, ventilation, and monitoring systems to ensure secure, reliable operation in all environments—including hot zones, urban centers, and isolated terrains.
5. Can these nanogrids be scaled for larger energy demands?
Yes, Sesame Solar’s Nanogrids are modular and can be deployed individually or in clusters, allowing users to scale energy production to match demand. For larger operations—such as temporary field hospitals, multi-device EV charging stations, or forward-operating military bases—multiple nanogrids can be networked together to form a microgrid. This flexibility supports the DOE’s emphasis on decentralized, adaptable hydrogen infrastructure. The modularity ensures that whether you're powering a small communications trailer or a multi-building command center, you can increase energy availability without relying on traditional grid connections or fossil fuel-based generators.
