CHBC Hydrogen Policy Briefing Series
Hydrogen garnered an unprecedented amount of attention in the previous year, with new product and project announcements, mergers and acquisitions underway, and many countries across the globe beginning to implement hydrogen strategies. California policy has yet to overcome numerous barriers that hamper the hydrogen economy from flourishing, and this legislative session should address some if not all of these barriers.
The CHBC Hydrogen Policy Briefing Series will capture the momentum hydrogen is experiencing right now, building on CHBC’s successful annual Summits in a virtual setting. This Series is designed to provide a stage for government policymakers, industry leaders, and their staff to discuss hydrogen across all energy and transportation markets. Decision-makers will deliver keynotes from the international, federal, and state level, and discussions will include expert decision-makers and industry leaders.
Planned Sessions
- A look beyond California’s Borders – A Western States and U.S. Perspective
- A look beyond California’s Borders – A Global Investor Perspective
Previous Sessions
January 13 – CHBC Policy Priorities – Conversion of Natural Gas Pipelines to Hydrogen and Hydrogen Blending – Options to Decarbonize the Gas Grid
With an ever increasing focus on decarbonizing the gas grid, blending hydrogen into the gas grid and converting gas pipelines to hydrogen are becoming options that are being considered in the U.S. and implemented in other countries. This panel discussed why California is lacking to take action, what other countries are doing, and why hydrogen pipelines are an option to keep the costs of transitioning to a renewable energy economy manageable.
Keynotes Speakers and Panelists:
- Dan Sadler, H21 Program Director, Northern Gas Networks
- Assemblymember Bill Quirk
- Jamie Randolph, Gas Wholesale Marketing and Business Development, PG&E
- Arun Raju, Associate Director at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology, UC Riverside
- Mallik Angalakudati, Senior Vice President – Strategy and Innovation, WGL
- Jeff Reed, Chief Scientist, APEP, UC Irvine
- Jared Liu-Klein, Southern California Gas Company
- Moderator: Sara Fitzsimon, Policy Director, CHBC
Conversion of Natural Gas Pipelines to Hydrogen and Hydrogen Blending – Options to Decarbonize the Gas Grid from CaliforniaHydrogen on Vimeo.
Access the presentation slide deck here >>
January 6 – CHBC Policy Priorities – 200 Heavy Duty Stations by 2035, and a Roadmap for Hydrogen Fueling Corridors
Globally, the heavy-duty sector accounts for less than 10 percent of the vehicle population, yet it contributes approximately 40 percent of vehicle-generated carbon emissions. This session will discuss policies to accelerate the deployment of heavy duty fuel cell vehicles, develop hydrogen fueling corridors, and the need for infrastructure funding. Panelists will also address the benefits of a focus on hydrogen powertrain and fueling infrastructure over that of other ZEV technologies in terms of cost, operational performance, and impact on grid assets.
Keynote: Prioritizing Funding for Hydrogen Infrastructure in California to Support Heavy Duty and Transit Zero Emission Option – Senator Bob Archuleta
Keynote: Fuel Cell Electric Trucks – A Vision for Freight Movement in California —and Beyond – Nico Bouwkamp, Technical Program Manager, California Fuel Cell Partnership
Moderator: Cory Shumaker, Development Specialist, CHBC
- Kim Okafor, General Manager of Zero Emission Solutions, Trillium
- Ryan McGeachie, CCO, Nikola Motors
- Tim Sasseen, Market Development Manager, US, Ballard Power Systems
- Parker Meeks, Chief Strategy Officer, Hyzon Motors
- Nico Bouwkamp, Technical Program Manager, California Fuel Cell Partnership
200 Heavy Duty Hydrogen Stations by 2035, and a Roadmap for Hydrogen Fueling Corridors from CaliforniaHydrogen on Vimeo.
Access the presentation slide deck here >>
December 16, 10 AM PT – Hydrogen’s Role in the Transportation Sector – The path from 200 to 1000 light duty stations in California
Keynote: The Important Role of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in California’s ZEV Future – Sandy Berg, Vice Chair, California Air Resources Board
Keynote: Expanding Transportation Electrification Utility Investment from Charging to Hydrogen and Fuel Cells – Senator Josh Newman
Roundtable – The Path to Sustainability for Hydrogen Transportation
Hydrogen Transportation Solutions are commercial and near commercial, in the light and heavy dusty sector, respectively, yet FCEVs remain a small share of the ZEV market. What are the critical milestones for the transportation sectors to achieve mass market penetration?
Moderator: Sara Fitzsimon Nelson, Policy Director, CHBC
- Mik Skvarla, Government Relations Advisor at The Gualco Group, Inc.
- Bill Elrick, Executive Director, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Partnership
- Salim Rahemtulla, President, PowerTap Hydrogen Fueling Corp
- Lewis Fulton, Director, STEPS, Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis
- Steve Ellis, Manager, Outreach and Customer Relations, FirstElement Fuel Inc.
- Senator Josh Newman
Hydrogen’s Role in the Transportation Sector – The path from 200 to 1000 LD stations in California from CaliforniaHydrogen on Vimeo.
Access the presentation slide deck here >>
December 2: The Interplay between Electricity, Hydrogen and Natural Gas – The Opportunity to Combat Renewable Energy Curtailment and Accelerate Renewables Deployment via Hydrogen
The curtailment of renewable generation has increased significantly over the last few years in California, and is starting to affect the deployment of new renewable generation. Hydrogen can provide a lot of value, as an energy storage medium, transportation fuel, and to firm up the grid and increase resiliency, especially when produced from low-cost electricity.
This briefing will discuss the opportunity and existing challenges for hydrogen to play a stronger role in the expansion of renewables deployment.
The Interplay between Electricity, Hydrogen and Natural Gas – The Opportunity to Combat Renewable Energy Curtailment and Accelerate Renewables Deployment via Hydrogen from CaliforniaHydrogen on Vimeo
Access the presentation slide deck here >>
September 2- Fuel Agnostic Hydrogen-ready Stationary Fuel Cells – The Transition from Carbon to Hydrogen
This briefing explores how novel fuel cells have the ability to use natural gas, blend feedstocks or pure hydrogen as a fuel, and how such technology products can aid in the transition to decarbonize the gas grid.
Speakers discussed the need to increase resiliency in California via zero-emission power production, the intriguing technology solution of a fuel-agnostic fuel cell, projects on the ground adopting such fuel cells, and the opportunities for the gas grid to decarbonize and transition to carbon-free fuels in the pipeline and provide resiliency and reliability.
Fuel Agnostic Hydrogen-ready Stationary Fuel Cells – The Transition from Carbon to Hydrogen from CaliforniaHydrogen on Vimeo
CHBC Briefing on The Business Case for Light Duty Hydrogen Stations
CHBC Hydrogen 101 Briefing – Facts vs. Myths
60-minute session with Dr. Jack Brouwer, Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering; Director, National Fuel Cell Research Center; Director, Advanced Power and Energy Program. Dr. Brouwer received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1993. From 1993 to 1997, he served as a research assistant professor at the University of Utah and was a member of the technical staff at Reaction Engineering International. He came to UC Irvine in 1997 as associate director of the National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC), concurrently holding appointments as lecturer, assistant and then associate adjunct professor. He was named assistant professor in the summer of 2011.
Hydrogen 101 Briefing – Facts vs. Myths from CaliforniaHydrogen on Vimeo.
Innovations in Hydrogen Rail – Project Showcase – May 19, 2021
Hydrogen has the ability to decarbonize and transform the different sectors of the rail industry without the overbearing expense of catenary systems. Interest in doing fuel cell rail projects started to take off a half-decade ago in Europe. Thanks to local and State funding, California now has fuel cell rail projects underway. Listen to some of the latest project developments in California.
CHBC Innovations in Hydrogen Rail – Project Showcase from CaliforniaHydrogen on Vimeo.
Welcome and Introductions
· Cory Shumaker, CHBC Development Specialist
Opening Keynote – The Current Global Landscape of Motivations Behind Hydrogen and Fuel Cells for Rail Applications
· Lynn Harris, Senior Consultant in Sustainable Motive Power & Zero-Emission Technologies at DB Engineering and Consulting USA
Project Roundtable – Current Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Rail Projects Funded & Underway
Moderator: Cory Shumaker, CHBC
· Hydrail: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Rail, Tim Sasseen, Ballard
· Hydrogen Powered FLIRT in San Bernardino, Carrie Schindler, Director of Transit and Rail, San Bernardino County Transportation
· Sierra Northern Hydrogen Locomotive Project, Mike Hart, CEO, Sierra Northern Railway
· Momoko Tamaoki, Caltrans
CHBC Maritime Hydrogen Projects Showcase Briefing – April 27, 2021
CHBC Maritime Hydrogen Projects Showcase Briefing from CaliforniaHydrogen on Vimeo.
Welcome and Introductions
- Emanuel Wagner, CHBC Deputy Director
Opening Keynote – The Current Global Landscape of Motivations Behind Maritime Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
- Cory Shumaker, CHBC Development Specialist
Project Roundtable – Current Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Maritime Projects Funded & Underway
- Moderator: Cory Shumaker, CHBC
- Projects with FCwave: Marine Fuel Cell Module – Tim Sasseen, Ballard Power Systems
- Small Fast Multi-Use Hydrogen Fuel Cell Harbor Craft – Joe Pratt, Golden Gate Zero Emission Marine
- HyZET: Design & Feasibility Study of a Fuel Cell Powered Commercial Harbor Craft – Kristian Jokinen, CALSTART
- Marine Hydrogen Demonstration – Narendra Pal, Hornblower Yachts
Co-Host Sponsor
Program Sponsors
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Session Sponsor
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in being viewed as a leader at the forefront of the hydrogen industry? Sponsor the Hydrogen Policy Briefing Series. Contact Emanuel Wagner at ewagner@californiahydrogen.org to book your sponsorship.
