SCRA Selected to Implement US Department of Energy H-Prize

October 20, 2008

Administration Team comprised of National Hydrogen Association Hydrogen Education Foundation (HEF), Technology Transition Corporation (TTC) and SCRA

CHARLESTON, SC – October 20, 2008 – SCRA, a global leader in applied research and commercialization, has been selected as an administrator of the H-Prize, a US Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen Program initiative that competitively awards cash prizes to advance the research, development, demonstration and commercial applications of hydrogen energy technologies.

Section 654 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 authorized the “H-Prize” competition. In the Act, the Secretary of Energy was directed to implement a competition that awards cash prizes to innovators who surmount critical barriers while helping to create a widespread hydrogen economy. The Act would provide up to four $1 million prizes biennially for the most significant breakthroughs in hydrogen storage, production, utilization and distribution.

SCRA’s contribution to the team’s application process focused on the company’s proven ability to manage and execute hydrogen and fuel cell programs, including the Greater Columbia Fuel Cell Challenge, and in view of the proven expertise of SCRA’s affiliate, SC Launch! in raising private funds to support knowledge economy initiatives within South Carolina. The HEF/TTC/SCRA team was selected competitively in September, 2008.

The legislation requires that a private, not-for-profit entity administer the H Prize program. The DOE issued a solicitation in April, 2008 for organizations interested in this program. SCRA joined a team led by HEF and partnered with TTC. The administration duties include, in conjunction with the Secretary of Energy:

• Developing criteria for selecting prize winners;
• Determining the appropriate amount and funding sources for each prize to be awarded;
• Providing advice and consultation on the selection of judges;
• Raising funds from private entities and individuals to pay for administrative costs and to contribute to cash prizes, including funds provided in exchange for the right to name a prize awarded;
• Promotion the prize competitions and their results.

SCRA has provided funding and support for 83 new knowledge-based start-ups in South Carolina since inception of its SC Launch program in April, 2006. According to a recent survey by The University of South Carolina Moore School of Business, jobs facilitated by SCRA and SC Launch! provided per capita annual wages between $55,000 and $77,000 in 2007 in South Carolina.


 

About SCRA (www.scra.org)
SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with offices in Anderson, Charleston and Columbia. SCRA collaborates to advance technology. SCRA provides technology-based solutions with assured outcomes on behalf of industry, government, and research universities like Clemson University, the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina.