Douglas County PUD Commissioners Molly Simpson, Aaron Viebrock and Ronald Skagen invited the community to learn about and see a renewable hydrogen production facility in Baker Flats, the Washington State PUD said on Oct. 9.
Under construction since March 2021, the District is close to commissioning the first renewable hydrogen production facility in the nation owned and operated by a public utility.
General Manager Gary Ivory welcomed the community to the event on National Hydrogen Day during Public Power Week, celebrating the benefits of both.
When describing why the District took on this project Ivory said “How can we prepare our community to be ready for the policies changes the state has made? The investment in this plant not only produces a fuel but it helps us preserve our Wells Dam asset that is so important to our community.”
The pilot project will provide flexibility to Douglas PUD operations at their Wells Hydroelectric Project. Generation requests can be sent to the hydrogen electrolyzer to reduce the mechanical adjustments necessary at the Wells Hydroelectric Project to balance the grid. This will reduce the maintenance necessary on the turbine units and associated equipment.
Ivory went on to praise the innovation of the District, “Douglas PUD has a history of being innovative from building a dam on the Columbia River to stringing fiber optics around the county. We have been around for over 80 years with the authority to provide people with electricity. I don’t think 80 years ago they would have ever thought little Douglas PUD would be doing a cutting edge project like this. Dougals PUD has this built in innovation, it’s part of our DNA.”
Hydrogen is created by a process that separates the hydrogen and oxygen molecules in water through electrolysis.
The 5 megawatt PEM electrolyzer is able to produce 2 metric tons of hydrogen a day at full capacity. The site is able to accommodate expansion if the pilot project is successful.
After Commissioners cut the ribbon, staff took questions from the community ranging from safety to economics to technical operations.
Upon leaving the facility, the community could get an up-close look at a Toyota Mirai fuel cell car. The District opened the state’s first hydrogen fueling station at their East Wenatchee location in June 2025. PUD Commission President Molly Simpson mentioned “We are excited to bring this clean fuel option to the community in addition to the clean hydropower they can use to charge their EVs.”
Due to the industrial nature of hydrogen production, the facility is now closed to the public.
