Verne Inc., a San Francisco-based energy technology firm, announced plans to establish a new manufacturing facility in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, dedicated to producing advanced mobile compressed-hydrogen storage tanks. The plant, located in a former warehouse within the Marcellus Energy Park in Muncy, is slated to commence operations early next year, creating at least 61 new jobs. This strategic investment of $4.5 million by Verne Inc. is bolstered by nearly $1.3 million in state incentives from Pennsylvania, including a $1 million loan and grants for machinery, equipment, and job training.

The initiative aims to address the growing energy mismatch between supply and demand, particularly driven by the escalating power needs of data centers, advanced manufacturing, and autonomous systems. David Jaramillo, Verne's co-founder and chief technology officer, highlighted the company's vision for a "decentralized energy network" designed to supplement the existing grid infrastructure, which is increasingly strained by rising electrical loads.

Verne Inc. has developed a proprietary process that significantly increases hydrogen density by cooling and compressing the gas to extremely low temperatures. This innovation makes the cost of compressed hydrogen competitive with traditional diesel fuel for on-site power generation. Jaramillo stated, "It's the most efficient and lowest cost way to move that hydrogen around on a truck. We leverage this cost advantage to offer energy as a service, and we can provide industrial-scale power within weeks." The technology, which benefited from development support from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and funding from industry giants like Amazon, Caterpillar, and United Airlines, is now poised for scaled production and deployment.

Potential customers for Verne's mobile hydrogen solutions include data centers, large-scale construction and energy-production sites, as well as shipping ports and airports. The company plans to manufacture approximately 500 tanks by the end of 2026, with an ambitious ramp-up to about 4,000 units in 2027. Lycoming County was selected after an 18-month search, with Jaramillo citing the presence of the Pennsylvania College of Technology, PMF Industries, and robust support from the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce as key factors.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro underscored the project's alignment with the state's historical legacy of energy production, emphasizing its role in fostering future energy innovation and economic growth within the region. This development marks a significant step towards enabling more flexible and sustainable energy delivery solutions across various industrial sectors.