H2TechTalk

In this mini-series, Hydrogen Economist takes a deep dive into the global hydrogen value chain. Part 1 provides a forecast of global hydrogen demand, as well as capital spending and active project developments.

In this episode, we dive into Plug Power's ambitious plans to revolutionize the H2 economy with the help of a $1.66-B loan guarantee from the Department of Energy. Learn how the company's green H2 plant in Graham, Texas, integrates cutting-edge technologies and an adjacent wind farm to push forward zero- and low-carbon H2 production. We explore the challenges and opportunities in scaling these projects nationwide, the significance of the $30-MM tax credit transfer, and how key policies like the Inflation Reduction Act and Section 45V production tax credits are shaping the growth of both Plug Power and the green energy sector. Tune in to hear how these initiatives are paving the way for a cleaner, sustainable future.

In this episode, we explore the dynamic energy landscape with industry experts from Hyvolution in Paris, France. First, Christophe from Doris discusses the company’s evolution from oil and gas to embracing offshore wind, H₂ and carbon capture technologies. He explains how their extensive experience in energy engineering allows them to offer expertise across diverse energy sectors, providing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the H₂ and renewables industries.

Next, Patrick Grossklaug from Draeger shares his insights into the cutting-edge safety technologies for H₂, focusing on advanced leak detection systems and fire safety protocols. From electrochemical detection to ultrasonic sensors and flame detection, Patrick highlights how these innovations are crucial to ensuring safety in the H₂ sector.

Tune in to learn about the intersection of traditional energy competencies with the growing world of clean energy technologies, and the pivotal role safety plays in the future of H₂.

In this episode, H2Tech sat down with Chris Brennan, co-founder of EH Group, at the Hyvolution Conference in Paris. Brennan shares insights into the company's journey, their breakthrough H2 stack technology, and how they are making significant strides towards cost-effective, efficient fuel cell solutions. Learn how EH Group is targeting industries like marine, data centers and microgrids, and why their unique manufacturing process is setting them apart. Tune in for a deep dive into the future of H2 and what’s next for EH Group in the race to green energy innovation.

Continuing with Gulf Energy Information's Women in Leadership series, we welcome Carol Lloyd, Vice President, Planning and Stewardship, ExxonMobil. In this episode, Ms. Lloyd discusses various aspects of her respected career, including mentorship, building a professional network, increasing credibility and influence within an organization, and other aspects of being a leader in the energy industry.

In this episode, H2Tech sat down with Michael Huss, Business Development Manager for Hydrogen, Cryostar at Hyvolution in Paris, France. The conversation covered Cryostar's cryogenic pumps for liquid H2, H2 mobility and green/pink H2 in Europe.

While existing regulations require that materials, components and systems must be safe for their intended use, framework regulations typically do not define how that can be proved. To address this dichotomy, there are many influencing factors that must be respected when determining a reasonable test procedure to prove safety. This episode dives into these factors.

In this episode, adapted from the Gulf Energy Information webcast, the editors of World Oil, Petroleum Economist, Pipeline & Gas Journal, Hydrogen Economist and Hydrocarbon Processing discuss how Trump's incoming administration will shape global energy markets and the effects of future policy and regulations. Key topics include regulatory changes, adjustments in subsidies and taxes, and potential impacts on the oil, gas, and renewable energy sectors worldwide.

In this episode, we welcome Pedram Fanailoo, Director for the Low Carbon Segment - North America at DNV, to discuss the future of H2 in the energy transition. Pedram shares insights about DNV's role in supporting companies with sustainable H2 solutions and how their expertise in risk management ensures the development of high-quality projects.

We explore the evolving green and blue H2 sectors, strategies for de-risking projects, and securing funding amidst changing regulations. Pedram also breaks down the impact of the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on H2 investments and anticipates potential shifts in federal support under a Trump administration. Don't miss this in-depth conversation on the key factors shaping the H2 industry and what stakeholders can do to prepare for the road ahead.

In this episode, Gaby Rodríguez-Calero, co-founder and CEO of Ecolectro, discussed how the company is revolutionizing green H2 production to make it affordable and scalable. She explains the significance of Ecolectro's AEM electrolyzer technology and the shift from expensive iridium to cost-effective nickel, a breakthrough protected by 23 patents. 

Gaby highlighted the impact of reducing H2 production costs to $2.50/kg and its potential to accelerate global adoption in key industries like transportation, energy storage and heating. She also shares insights on overcoming technical challenges, scaling production to meet demand, and the role of Ecolectro’s recent Series A funding led by Toyota Ventures in driving innovation.

H2Tech sat down with Mario Tommaselli, Senior Vice President of Gas and Low Carbon Energies at Technip Energies. Mario discussed Technip Energies' gas and low-carbon business line, which includes LNG, blue hydrogen and ammonia, and its offshore business related to LNG, among other areas.

While other industries are undergoing digital transformations, the H2 ecosystem is a greenfield that can begin operations with transformative technologies in place. These technologies empower people, optimize processes and automate systems to enhance business performance across the enterprise.

ECL is redefining data center design by leveraging hydrogen as a primary power source, moving away from reliance on traditional grid electricity often derived from fossil fuels. This innovative approach focuses on sustainability, efficiency, and flexibility, aiming to reduce carbon footprints and dependency on energy grids.

Led by founder and CEO Yuval Bachar, ECL has successfully launched a 1-MW hydrogen-powered data center in Mountain View, showcasing its modular, off-grid designs that enable faster deployment and scalability. H2Tech sat down with Yuval to discuss ECL's work to expand its capacity and pave the way for more environmentally friendly and cost-effective solutions in the data center industry.

In this episode, Jim Watkins sits down with Jan Frederik Braun, Senior Expert for Hydrogen Technologies at the Fraunhofer Institute, to discuss the intersection of H2, renewable energy and the geopolitics of energy transition. They explore the growing importance of H2 technologies in the MENA region and Europe, the role of solar energy, and the profound impact of subsidies—both for fossil fuels and renewables. The conversation dives into how market distortions created by fossil fuel subsidies complicate the transition to greener alternatives and the challenges governments face in balancing social contracts with sustainability goals. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion on how energy policies, subsidies and international collaboration are shaping the future of global energy systems.

In this episode, H2Tech spoke with Ad van Wijk, Professor Future Energy Systems, Delft University of Technology, about his journey in renewable energy, from founding a major company in the 1980s to influencing Europe’s H2 strategy. He discusses the importance of H2 in the global energy transition, explaining how it can address energy storage and transportation challenges more efficiently than electricity. van Wijk also highlights the potential of regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Europe in pioneering H2 as a key energy carrier, and how his work helped shape the EU's H2 strategy.

In this episode, we delve into the evolving role of green hydrogen in the energy transition, featuring an insightful conversation with Sami Palconin, EVP of Green Hydrogen Renewable Fuels & Power to X at Andritz Environment and Energy. Sami shares how Andritz, a global leader in pulp, paper, hydropower, and metals, is integrating hydrogen across its diverse business lines, from green steel production to biorefineries. With hydrogen conferences booming across Europe, Sami discusses the opportunities and challenges of scaling this vital energy source, and how collaboration at events like DII is key to making green hydrogen a viable solution for the future. Don’t miss this deep dive into the hydrogen economy and Andritz’s pivotal role in shaping its growth.

Leading up to the Women's Global Leadership Conference in Energy, Gulf Energy Information sat down with Caroline Alting, Senior Vice President, Operational Excellence, Noble Corporation. In this episode, Ms. Alting discusses her career progression and the role of women in the oil and gas industry, including major inflection points of her career, advice for attracting and retaining female talent, advice for young women starting their career and much more.

In this video, Jim Watkins joins Simon Roth, Director of Management Consulting for Infrastructure and Utilities at ILF Consulting Engineers, at the 14th edition of the DII Desert Energy Leadership Summit in Vienna, Austria. They discuss ILF's newly released report, Low Emission Molecules: Insights into an Emerging Sector, which examines the entire hydrogen value chain. Simon explains how the report highlights key sectors involved in hydrogen production, transportation, and offtake, with a focus on the European market.

The report covers challenges such as financing, regulations, and market development, drawing insights from over 30 industry interviews. It also proposes supporting elements for the growth of the hydrogen economy, including first-mover protection and strategic gas reserves. The conversation dives deep into the complexities facing hydrogen development and its integration into existing energy systems, offering a comprehensive look at what needs to be done to accelerate the transition to a green hydrogen economy.

In this episode, Jim Watkins reports live from the 14th DII Desert Energy Leadership Summit in Vienna, where key players in the hydrogen and energy transition sectors come together to share insights. Special guest Chiara Aruffo, Director of Research at DII Desert Energy, discusses her fascinating journey from the oil and gas industry to leading research on energy transition topics, including liquid hydrogen and energy storage. 

The conversation dives deep into the emerging opportunities for the MENA region and Europe in the renewable energy space, including transportation of hydrogen, socio-economic impacts, and workforce capacity building. Chiara highlights several new reports and resources available, including a socio-economic study on hydrogen's impact in MENA and the latest findings on liquid hydrogen and energy storage solutions. 

Don't miss the links to these important reports, which offer cutting-edge insights for anyone interested in the future of hydrogen, renewable energy, and energy storage.

In this episode, we explore the critical role of turbomachinery in the large-scale liquefaction of hydrogen, essential for meeting the surging demand in hydrogen infrastructure. With current capacities needing to expand from 30 tons per day (tpd) to 200 tpd, we discuss the advancements in Atlas Copco's turbomachinery technology, which builds on decades of experience in cryogenic applications. Daniel Patrick, Hydrogen Market Segment Manager for Atlas Copco Turbomachinery, joins us to delve into the challenges and advantages of scaling liquefiers, the distinctions between gaseous and liquid hydrogen, and the technology's maturity level.

In this episode, Ben Leonard, Hydrogen Commercial Manager for Chevron New Energies, discusses the recently announced solar-to-hydrogen project in Lost Hills, California. Accelera by Cummins will supply a 5-MW electrolyzer system, producing 2.2 tpd of H2 through electrolysis, primarily for the transportation market. The project utilizes existing infrastructure, including solar power and non-potable produced water, minimizing impacts on potable water resources.

In this episode, we spoke to Burkhardt Compression about compressor solutions and services, Leistritz about multi-phase compressors and Atlas Copco about their CPC pumps.

In this episode, we sit down with Aerzen, Burckhardt Compression and Ebara Elliott Energy to discuss oil-free and oil-flooded compressors, piston reciprocating compressors, non-contact sealing mechanisms that enable a gas to seal itself, transporting carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen, and much more.

In this episode, we spoke with Gertjan van der Ven, Vice President, Global Project Pursuit, Emerson Automation Solutions, on challenges facing capital project construction, including timeline and cost pressures, supply chain constraints, the need to make projects more sustainable, and much more.

H2Tech sat down with Shane Harvey, Compressor Technology Manager, Ebara Elliott Energy to discuss the latest advancements in compression technologies for the global hydrogen value chain. This episode dives deep into the company's Flex-Op technology, and how it is optimizing compression operations in various industries around the world.

The demand for low-carbon ammonia is projected to triple in the coming decades, driven by its pivotal role in decarbonizing sectors such as agriculture, power generation, and heavy industry. In this episode, Maurits van Tol, Chief Executive of Catalyst Technologies at Johnson Matthey (JM) will discuss blue ammonia’s role in decarbonization, autothermal and gas heated reforming and future projects and innovations JM is working on in the realm of low-carbon technologies.

In this episode of H₂TechTalk, host Tyler Campbell welcomes Ana Dominguez, engineering services supervisor at Swagelok, to discuss the key differences between traditional oil and gas systems and H₂ systems. Ana highlights the specific design considerations necessary for H₂, focusing on the challenges posed by H₂’s small molecular size, system pressures, and temperatures. Ana also touches on the importance of following standards, ensuring leak-tight performance, and how the design should allow for easy maintenance and operational safety.

In this episode of H₂TechTalk, host Tyler Campbell is joined by Lisa Wee, Global Head of Sustainability at AVEVA, to discuss the role of digital solutions, particularly digital twin technology, in advancing sustainable H₂ production and distribution. Lisa shares her insights on AVEVA's work with clients across various sectors to optimize energy transitions and sustainability. She also explores the challenges and opportunities in the H₂ market, the critical role of AI and machine learning, and highlights success stories from their partnerships with companies like ThyssenKrupp and Aker Carbon Capture. The discussion emphasizes the importance of digital transformation in the energy sector and its potential to drive profitability and operational efficiency

Join us for this episode of H₂TechTalk, recorded at the Hydrogen Americas Summit, where we speak with Moataz Eldib from Schaeffler. Eldib details Schaeffler’s expertise in bearings and motion control and how these skills have helped them in the H₂­­ sector. Learn about their innovations in manufacturing bipolar plates for fuel cells and electrolyzers, strategic acquisitions, and commitment to green steel. Eldib also discusses Schaeffler’s approach to scaling H₂ technology to meet market demands and support global decarbonization goals.

**Key Takeaway:** In-depth understanding of the state and potential of hydrogen technologies, especially PEM electrolyzers and fuel cells, in transitioning to sustainable energy.

Host Tyler Campbell provides a comprehensive overview of the role of electrolyzers and fuel cells within the hydrogen sector, featuring insights from industry leaders at Accelera by Cummins. The episode takes place live from CERAWeek, a prominent energy conference.

Tyler is joined by Dr. Andreas Lippert, VP and General Manager of Electrolyzers, and Allison Trueblood, General Manager of Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Technologies at Accelera. The conversation begins with an introduction to Accelera, explaining its focus on the zero-emissions technology sector and its strategic acquisitions and joint ventures aimed at advancing decarbonization technologies.

Allison discusses the development of Accelera’s fuel cell technologies, including the details of their growth and advancements from low-pressure fuel cells to their upcoming fourth generation of higher power cells. She explains how the fuel cells are integrated within broader vehicle systems to enhance efficiency and performance.

Andreas describes the technological specifics of electrolyzers, focusing on proton exchange membrane (PEM) technology and its advantages for integrating with renewable energy sources due to its rapid response times and compact size.

Throughout the episode, both guests discuss the commercial applications of their technologies, particularly in heavy-duty transportation and industrial sectors, emphasizing the importance of hydrogen as a diverse tool for energy transfer and storage. The dialogue also covers the market dynamics affecting the adoption of hydrogen technologies, such as infrastructure development, regulatory incentives, and the total cost of ownership.

To conclude, the episode engages a broader discourse on how the hydrogen industry can play a crucial role in global decarbonization efforts, with a particular emphasis on the "hard to abate" sectors. Andreas and Allison outline the strategic directions of Accelera by Cummins, highlighting their commitment to innovation and partnership within the hydrogen and broader zero-emission technology spaces.

By the end of the podcast, listeners gain a clear understanding of the current state and exciting future of hydrogen technologies, particularly within the realm of PEM electrolyzers and fuel cells, and the critical role these technologies play in the transition to sustainable energy systems.

**Episode Highlights:**

• Introduction to Accelera, focusing on zero-emissions technology and strategic moves for advancing decarbonization.
• Discussion on the evolution of Accelera's fuel cell technologies, transitioning from low-pressure to the fourth generation of high-power cells.
• Allison Trueblood explains integration of fuel cells in vehicle systems to boost efficiency.
• Andreas Lippert discusses PEM electrolyzer technology, emphasizing its compatibility with renewable energy sources due to quick response times and compactness.
• Commercial uses of these technologies in heavy-duty transportation and industrial sectors highlighted.
• Market dynamics affecting hydrogen technology adoption, such as infrastructure, regulatory incentives, and cost considerations discussed.
• Conclusion focuses on the hydrogen sector's role in global decarbonization, especially in hard-to-abate industries.
• Strategic initiatives by Accelera outlined, focusing on innovation and partnerships in hydrogen and zero-emission technologies.