U.S. Air Force Launches Geologic Hydrogen Demonstration Initiative with Chimaera Fund RFI

Renaissance Philanthropy’s Chimaera Fund, in collaboration with the United States Air Force, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to support the design of a geologic hydrogen research and demonstration program at McConnell Air Force Base (Kansas) and Malmstrom Air Force Base (Montana). The initiative aims to evaluate the technoeconomic feasibility, regulatory pathways, and near-term deployment potential of geologic hydrogen for on-base energy applications.

The RFI seeks input from organizations with technical, operational, and regulatory expertise across hydrogen exploration, production, storage, and utilization. Contributors are invited to provide insights into production modelling, cost assumptions, infrastructure access, permitting frameworks, and order-of-magnitude effort and cost estimates. The effort is positioned as an information-gathering and program design step rather than a procurement or funding solicitation.

A central focus of the initiative is the development of field-grounded technoeconomic assessments (TEAs) capable of estimating well productivity, lifetime output, and all-in hydrogen costs under real operating conditions. The program also aims to identify key uncertainties affecting scalability and to evaluate how existing subsurface energy infrastructure—such as natural gas, helium, geothermal, or CO₂ systems—can inform hydrogen deployment.

By targeting two operational Air Force bases, the initiative emphasizes practical, site-specific evaluation of geologic hydrogen as a potential energy source for critical infrastructure. The approach reflects a growing interest within defense and public-sector energy planning in secure, domestically sourced, low-carbon fuels that can support resilience and operational continuity.

The U.S. Air Force’s participation signals a structured, analytical approach to emerging subsurface hydrogen resources, with a focus on regulatory clarity, deployment timelines, and real-world performance metrics. Responses to the RFI will inform the design of future demonstration programs and potential partnerships across industry, academia, and government.

Submissions are due by March 2, 2026, with contributions limited to high-level, non-confidential technical and regulatory perspectives intended to shape the next phase of program development.

Full press release and official information is attached below:

Air Force Geologic Hydrogen Research and Demonstration Request for Information  

Renaissance Philanthropy's Chimaera Fund is supporting the development of a research and demonstration effort with the United States Air Force focused on geologic hydrogen exploration, production, storage, and use at the McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, and the Malmstrom Air Force Base in Cascade County, Montana. 

Our objective is to evaluate the technoeconomic feasibility, regulatory pathways, and near-term deployment opportunities for geologic hydrogen in the United States, with a particular emphasis on practical, field-grounded insights that can inform future demonstrations at these and other Air Force base locations. 

We are seeking to collaborate with partners who have relevant technical, operational, or regulatory experience. This Request for Information (RFI) is intended to invite brief expressions of interest and perspectives from organizations that may wish to contribute to this effort.

Please note that this RFI is issued solely for information gathering and program design purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation, request for proposals, or commitment to fund or contract with any respondent.

Submission Guidelines

Interested parties are invited to submit up to three pages addressing applicable areas below. Not all areas require responses. 

1. Technical and Techno Economic Contributions
2. Describe how your organization could support technical analysis, including:
   • Input to or execution of techno economic assessments (TEAs) for geologic hydrogen exploration, production, storage, and/or use
   • Key technical assumptions, sensitivities, or uncertainties you believe are most important for estimating:
     • the hourly and lifetime hydrogen production of a well
     • the all-in cost of hydrogen
   • Data, models, or prior analyses you could contribute to inform cost, performance, or scalability
3. 2. Access to Infrastructure, Wells, or Sites
4. Indicate whether your organization could provide access or insight related to:
   • Existing or planned commercial hydrogen wells, assets, or closely related infrastructure within approximately 200 miles of the two Air Force Bases associated with this program
   • Experience with relevant equipment for hydrogen production and storage
5. High-level descriptions are sufficient. Detailed site data is not expected at this stage.
6. 3. Regulatory and Permitting Considerations
7. Based on your experience, please comment on:
   • Key state and federal regulatory hurdles relevant to geologic hydrogen exploration, production, or storage
   • Permitting timelines, approvals, or agencies that may represent critical path risks
   • Regulatory uncertainties or gaps that you believe merit early attention in a government supported program
8. Responses may reference prior experience in hydrogen, natural gas, CO₂, helium, or other subsurface gas or geothermal activities and key relationships. High-level descriptions are sufficient.
9. 4. Effort and Cost
10. To the extent possible, please provide order of magnitude insight into:
    • The level of effort that would be required for your proposed contribution
    • Approximate cost ranges or key cost drivers (e.g., staff time, field access, data acquisition)
11. Detailed pricing is not required at this stage, but information will help support next steps.

Submission Instructions

Responses should consist of:

• Up to three pages addressing Sections 1–4 above
• A cover page including the company name and primary point of contact

All information provided will be treated as non-confidential to the extent permitted by law, unless clearly marked otherwise.

Please submit your response via this form by Monday, March 2nd at 5:00pm ET.