EMPIRE DIVERSIFIED ENERGY SIGNS APPALACHIAN REGIONAL CLEAN HYDROGEN HUB SUB-RECIPIENT AGREEMENT WITH BATTELLE

FOLLANSBEE, W. Va., Nov. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Empire Diversified Energy, Inc. ("Empire") is pleased to announce the execution of the sub-recipient agreement with Battelle Memorial Institute ("Battelle") for the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2). Battelle leads the Project Management Office for ARCH2 in partnership with the Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED). This is the final step for Empire Green Generation, LLC ("Green Gen"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Empire, to secure federal funding to assist in the first phase of development of its state-of-the-art facility that will convert food waste into renewable hydrogen as one of 11 Project Development Partners (PDPs) in the ARCH2 Hub.

Empire and project partner, Heartland Water Technology ("Heartland"), will develop a project for ARCH2 that employs food waste treatment in an anaerobic digester, which produces biogas and residual solid material (digestate). Heartland will subsequently apply its proprietary HelioStorm™ ultra-high temperature ionic gasifier technology to perform methane pyrolysis of the biogas to produce clean hydrogen and valuable, sustainable carbon black. The digestate will be processed through Heartland's proprietary LTC Dry™ and HelioStorm™ gasifiers in a parallel pathway to produce an ultra-pure, tar-free synthesis gas. This gas will be used to generate clean energy, powering the entire conversion system described, and reducing reliance on the grid and fossil fuels.

The Heartland and Empire partnership in the ARCH2 program represents a significant step forward in converting waste into sustainable hydrogen production for the Appalachian region.

"The project not only aligns with our vision to redefine waste, it underscores the critical role of renewable hydrogen in shaping a sustainable, circular economy. Hydrogen is more than an energy carrier; it represents a cornerstone for future sustainability goals, offering a path to decarbonize industries and energize communities in an environmentally responsible manner," said Chris Beaufait, CEO of Heartland. "Empire is a world class developer of sustainable projects. We are excited to work together to deliver an exciting and impactful waste treatment and hydrogen generation plant."

Bernard Brown, Empire COO, added, "The ARCH2 hydrogen hub is a beacon of innovation and leadership in the renewable energy sector. By leveraging this hub as a pivotal platform for collaboration, research, and development, we aim to demonstrate how strategic investments in decentralized hydrogen infrastructure and technology can yield significant environmental and economic benefits. The integration of Heartland's HelioStorm™ technology into the project is a game-changer, harnessing groundbreakingly efficient methods to convert food waste into renewable hydrogen, propelling us toward our hydrogen goals."

The waste-to-energy project has been underway since June 2024 and is now officially a PDP in the ARCH2 program.

About Heartland Water Technology

Operating at the intersection of water, renewable energy, and resource recovery, since 2008, Heartland has been providing technology-enabled solutions for world's most challenging waste streams. With proprietary, award-winning technologies such as the Heartland Concentrator™, HelioStorm™, and LTC Dry™, Heartland's mission is to provide scalable, efficient, turnkey solutions enabled by expertise and innovation, that not only meet the needs of today but promote sustainability, preserve the environment, and enhance public health.

About Empire Green Generation

Empire Green Generation, LLC is a behind-the-grid utilities company that utilizes waste-to-energy and recycling systems to provide electricity, waste management, and water treatment services to Empire's Riverfront Industrial Complex at the Port of West Virginia. Green Gen provides electricity from waste plastic-derived syngas and will produce green hydrogen from recycling food waste.

About Empire Diversified Energy

Empire Diversified Energy, Inc. is a multifaceted holding company with business units in the sustainable energy and logistics sector. Empire's primary location is in Follansbee, WV where it operates the Port of West of Virginia, within its Eco-Industrial Complex. The Complex is geographically located along the Ohio River where it serves the crossroads of the East Coast and Midwest through its trimodal facility. Empire is currently deploying a host of innovative proven technologies serving the pathway to clean energy generation. These business units will serve the transportation, waste, steel, warehousing, and other sectors, in an effort to help decarbonize the region.

Forward-looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including the benefits of the project and the announcement of further details. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods.

Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond Empire's control) and assumptions. Although Empire believes any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect the outcome or results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, including the risk factors described from time to time by us in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers should consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement made by Empire in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Empire undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

For further information, please contact Empire Diversified Energy, Inc. Investor Relations: 954-332-2423 www.empirediversifiedenergy.com

SOURCE Empire Diversified Energy. Inc.