I didn't mean to make the literal comparison with fuel cell vehicles to electric vehicles. I meant to compare, Tesla building out a charging network (to help sell their EV), to Plug modifying material handling equipment to use hydrogen as a way of selling hydrogen or electrolyzers.

The Companies Quietly Building the Green Hydrogen Economy

I'm comparing it to Tesla of 12 to 15 years ago. There were cheaper EVs and no public charging infrastructure.

It isn't very economical, yet.

Some technology needs a certain level of advancement before it becomes viable. Look at electric vehicles. They had their origins at the same time as gasoline vehicles. Electric vehicles didn't take off until battery technology reached a certain level of advancement, something that took over 100 years.

There are others players in the market. But, Plug is building a hydrogen ecosystem.

It's like Tesla. Others produced EVs. But, Tesla also built out charging infrastructure so that people could take there vehicles out of the city and across the country. Tesla didn't rely on other companies to do it. And, Tesla more than any other car company, convinced people that EVs were practical and convicted governments to invest in the ecosystem needed for electric vehicles.

One company can make the difference.

Plug Power’s Green Hydrogen Network — What Happens If It Actually Works?

They knew about it. They funded part of it. It's probably why they delayed any building.

There were long lead times on those big transformers.

But, that 600 MW substation is scheduled to be energized sometime this year. They would not have been producing at full capacity. Maybe not at all.

https://www.gcedc.com/documents/stamp/STAMP.Brochure.24.pdf

Yes, it does sound desperate. But, in the short term, it should cut spending and provide for more exposure for Plug.

Plug didn't have the cash to do it. Without the DOE loan, it probably would have bankrupted them. Delays in the project would have bled them dry. And, ultimately, I think, they couldn't depend on the DOE loan.

If Plug can collaborate on projects, then in the short term it looks like a low cost way of expending their business.

Dr. Du From Plug Power, USA, Visited Xinsicheng to Explore Cooperation and Development in Green Hydrogen

https://fuelcellsworks.com/2026/03/13/energy-development/dr-du-from-plug-power-usa-visited-xinsicheng-to-explore-cooperation-and-development-in-green-hydrogen

Massive Plug Power project at STAMP officially dead
https://investigativepost.org/2026/03/11/massive-plug-power-project-at-stamp-officially-dead/

Global FCEV Market Projected to Reach 3.03 Million Units by 2040, with Commercial Vehicles Accounting for 70%

https://fuelcellsworks.com/2026/03/09/press-releases/global-fcev-market-projected-to-reach-3-03-million-units-by-2040-with-commercial-vehicles-accounting-for-70-percent

Savage and Symbio North America Announce the Commissioning of the First Hydrogen-Electric Fuel Cell Truck for Drayage

https://fuelcellsworks.com/2026/03/09/news/savage-and-symbio-north-america-announce-the-commissioning-of-the-first-hydrogen-electric-fuel-cell-truck-for-drayage

Interesting read:

Moeve, Masdar, and Enalter Partner on Southern Europe’s Largest Green Hydrogen Project

https://carboncredits.com/moeve-masdar-and-enalter-partner-on-southern-europes-largest-green-hydrogen-project/

Plug Power eyes AI data-center boom with 250-MW PJM hydrogen bid

https://ts2.tech/en/plug-power-eyes-ai-data-center-boom-with-250-mw-pjm-hydrogen-bid/

Revolutionizing Mission-Critical Power
https://www.powersystems.rehlko.com/kvh-revolutionizing-mission-critical-power

Microsoft builds 3MW hydrogen fuel cell backup power plant
https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/microsoft-builds-3mw-hydrogen-fuel-cell-backup-power-plant/

Hydrogen and batteries power ‘first-of-its-kind’ California microgrid
https://www.utilitydive.com/news/pge-energy-vault-hydrogen-battery-microgrid/801985/

edit
City of Lancaster and First Public Hydrogen Launch Hydrogen-Powered Backup Traffic Signalshttps://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/10/21/fuel-cells/city-of-lancaster-and-first-public-hydrogen-launch-hydrogen-powered-backup-traffic-signals

Santa Clarita to use hydrogen fuel cells as backup power for traffic lights
https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/hydrogen-fuel-cells-lights/8550571/

HYDROGEN GAS READY BACKUP POWER FOR SITE IN CALIFORNIA
https://issuu.com/wipmagazines/docs/american_power_news_july_23_online/s/29000912

Then, why is it used?

Oh! You were talking about a natural gas fuel cells when you were talking about the natural gas generators. I see..

I don't see why it would be quicker. Cheaper, yes.

Batteries need to be recharged, something that may be hard to do, during peak usage .

Can the natural gas plant be built less expensive and quicker?

Competitive pricing depends on how it’s used. I assume it would be for peak demand electricity. Times when data centers would be asked to reduce or eliminate there power demands. The price of shutting down would exceed the price of expensive power.

It looks like they are trying to get at least a 7 year contract to supply electricity (for a data center). Beyond that, I don't know.

US lead wars in the middle east have been long. The shortest was the first gulf war lasted about a year.
Afghanistan lasted about 20 years. Iraq lasted 8 years. War against ISIS is ongoing at 12 years. There is nothing to suggest this will end soon.

Hyundai, Toyota, and Honda are still testing hydrogen for passenger vehicles. There are an increasing number of companies making fuel cell (semi) trucks. And, there still municipalities trying fuel cell buses. Hydrogen is still being tested for viability.

Iran wouldn't care about America if we didn't try to influence the region. They don't need a nuclear weapon to threaten us.

Plug Power Plans Hydrogen Offering in Top US Power-Grid Auction
https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/plug-power-plans-hydrogen-offering-in-top-us-power-grid-auction

Temporary is not a definite time period, it can mean YEARS.

Hydrogen is an alternative. People are still working on it. They aren't quitters, when there is progress to be made.

War was the cause of the price increase. It had little to do with national security and will not bring peace to the region. And, it will cost (us) hundreds of billions (or trillions), before it's over. That is money that could be used to reduce our dependence on oil, and divorce ourselves from the petty politics of the middle east.

Russia was just given a lifeline to their war, and at a time when oil is at a relative high. Sanctions were lifted. And, rumors are that Russia is supplying Iran with intelligence for their retaliatory strikes against us.

Doesn't sound like peace and security is coming.

The huge increase in oil prices, in such a short time, is a reminder that we can't depend on oil forever. Alternatives need to be explored. Hydrogen is one of the alternatives.

The price of oil won't go down until the first is totally eliminated. The cost of war is at least a billion dollars a day.

With the price of oil up about 40% over a week (over 10% today), it a start.

Chevron added three stations in the last year. Their intent is to add 30 stations total. We should see a new peak number.

The Hydrogen Stream: BP and Iberdrola near Spain’s largest H2 project

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/03/06/the-hydrogen-stream-bp-and-iberdrola-set-to-commission-spains-largest-project/

The truth of the matter is California is adding hydrogen fueling stations.

It's about 350 miles from me.

It's about 350 miles from me.

Chevron Opens Third Hydrogen Station in California
https://fuelcellsworks.com/2026/03/05/fuel-cells/chevron-opens-third-hydrogen-station-in-california

Throwback Thursday Story: Hydrogen Stations Expand as TEAL Mobility Sets Its 2026 Roadmap

https://fuelcellsworks.com/2026/02/26/fuel-cells/throwback-thursday-story-hydrogen-stations-expand-as-teal-mobility-sets-its-2026-roadmap

Germany commits €11.6m to hydrogen buses in Ruhr region

https://www.h2-view.com/story/germany-commits-e11-6m-to-hydrogen-buses-in-ruhr-region/2137886.article/

Hydrogen Truck Blast Near Colton Kills One

https://hoodline.com/2026/02/deadly-hydrogen-truck-inferno-rocks-colton-walmart-hub/

They are only $215 million away.

Of equal importance is getting their expenses under control.