Renewable Hydrogen Storage and Transport Conference Session 1: Hydrogen Supply Chains

Monday, March 11 9:50AM-1:50PM PST at Town and Gown of USC, Los Angeles, CA

Session Chair: Siari Sosa, SoCalGas

Learn more about this session's presentations below:

9:50AM-10:20AM: "Optimal Sizing and Design of a Responsive Hydrogen Storage Systems for Blended Hydrogen in Gas Utility Networks"

Plenary Speaker: Pardheep Kileti, Director, Future of Heat Asset Engineering and R&D Program Management, National Grid

10:20AM-10:40AM: "The Hydrogen Evolution Activity of BaZrS3, BaTiS3, and BaVS3 Chalcogenide Perovskites"

Invited Speaker: Shaama Sharada, Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Chemistry, USC Viterbi

Chalcogenide perovskites are a class of materials with electronic and optoelectronic properties desirable for solar cells, infrared optics, and computing. The oxide counterparts of these chalcogenides have been studied extensively for electrocatalytic and photoelectrochemical characteristics. As chalcogenide perovskites are more covalent, conductive, and stable, we hypothesize that they are more viable as electrocatalysts than oxide perovskites. The goal of this first synthetic, experimental, and computational study is to examine the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of three Barium-based chalcogenides in perovskite and related structures: BaZrS3, BaTiS3, and BaVS3. Potential energy surfaces for hydrogen adsorption on surfaces of these materials are calculated using density functional theory and the computational hydrogen electrode model is used to contrast overpotentials with experiment. Although both experiments and computations agree that BaVS3 is the most active of the three materials, high overpotentials of these materials make them less viable than platinum for HER. Our work establishes a framework for future studies in the chemical and electrochemical properties of chalcogenide perovksites.

10:40AM-11:00AM: "Microwave Generation of Hydrogen"

Invited Speaker: KC Tran, CEO & Co-Founder, MAAT Energy

MAAT Energy aims to produce low-carbon hydrogen at a cost of < $2.0 / kg H2. Currently, the primary method (> 95%) employed for hydrogen production commercially is steam-methane reforming (SMR). While this process can produce hydrogen at a cost of < $2.0 / kg H2, it has a high carbon intensity. On the other hand, while electrolysis is an environmentally friendly alternative for hydrogen production, the cost of hydrogen generation using electrolysis is typically > $4.0 / kg H2.We are developing Atmospheric Microwave Plasma (AMP) for the pyrolysis of methane into hydrogen and carbon black as a value-added byproduct. The electricity required in the AMP process is ¼ that of the electricity required for electrolysis. In addition, the solid carbon produced by the AMP can be used a valuable byproduct.MAAT Energy has been developing microwave-based plasmas for chemical applications. The market is large, as the US consumed about 10 million tons of hydrogen per year, mostly for refinery and ammonia manufacturing applications. At $2/kg, the potential market is around 20 B$/year. In addition, other applications, such as transportation, can substantially increase the market size.

11:00AM-11:20AM: "Utility Hydrogen Blending: Ideation, Implementation, and Operational Considerations"

Invited Speaker: Tim Harris, Principal Engineer, ENTRUST Solutions Group

As the global energy landscape evolves towards decarbonization, the integration of hydrogen into utility operations has emerged one potential strategy. In this talk, we delve into the intricate dynamics of utility-scale hydrogen blending, exploring the spectrum of ideation, implementation strategies, and crucial operational considerations. We will begin by outlining the transformative potential of hydrogen blending in decarbonizing the natural gas and electricity sectors, addressing its role as a versatile vector for renewable energy storage and distribution. Drawing from real-world case studies and engineering insights, we will navigate the diverse pathways for integrating hydrogen into existing infrastructure, discussing the technical challenges and innovative solutions encountered along the way. Moreover, this talk will underscore the operational nuances inherent in utility hydrogen blending, from safety protocols to grid fuel stability management. By examining regulatory frameworks and market dynamics, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape and economic viability of hydrogen blending initiatives. Ultimately, this discussion aims to equip utility stakeholders with the knowledge and strategic foresight necessary to embark on a successful journey towards leveraging hydrogen for a sustainable energy transition.

11:20AM-12:30PM: Lunch

12:30PM-12:50PM: "Innovative Hydrogen Storage and Health Monitoring for Energy Storage Applications"

Invited Speaker: Michael Peters, Member & Team Principal, IQ4H2/BrainDrip

BrainDrip, the parent company of IQ4H2, has developed a novel hydrogen storage system for large scale hydrogen energy storage applications targeting the 10,000 – 500,000 kg+ range. The teams at BrainDrip and IQ4H2 are working on an integrated interrogation system for health monitoring and safety of their storage solution. The innervated system leverages specifically designed sensor arrays that monitor operational parameters, and strain events throughout the storage network. The system is coupled with sophisticated cloud-based machine learning/A.I. models to optimize the characterization of these properties and associated events. The presentation will highlight the key advantages of BrainDrip’s energy storage solution as well as go through some of the details of deploying systems of this scale in a safe manner.

12:50PM-1:10PM: "The Challenges of Distributing Hydrogen"

Wesley Cate, Director Of Business Development, NGL Supply Co Ltd

Mr. Cate will exam the various methods of distributing gaseous and liquid hydrogen versus other means of using hydrogen carriers as a mechanism to deliver this transformational energy source.

1:10PM-1:30PM: "Locally Produced Hydrogen: A Game-Changer for Fleet Operators"

Submitted Abstract:  Hernan Henriquez, Bayotech

Fleet operators face critical decisions when it comes to hydrogen fuel supply. The key lies in accessing reliable, cost-effective, and low carbon-intensity hydrogen. Currently, it is standard practice to produce hydrogen at large-scale central locations and transport it over long distances in liquid form. However, this approach presents several challenges, particularly for emerging applications such as fuel cell vehicle fleets operating out of distributed locations. Fleet operators who choose this path must grapple with important questions: Where is hydrogen being delivered from? In what form is the hydrogen being delivered - gaseous or liquid? Both gaseous and liquid hydrogen have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice should be made based on specific requirements. While onsite hydrogen production offers control and independence, it comes with inherent risks and challenges. Strategically locating decentralized hydrogen hubs along transportation corridors ensures an accessible supply for distributed applications. This approach offers significant benefits to fleet operators: Reliability: Multiple decentralized production locations provide redundancy, ensuring uninterrupted hydrogen supply. If supply is interrupted at one location, hydrogen can be delivered from a nearby second source. Decreased Costs: Through high-pressure gas transport trailers, suppliers can deliver three times more hydrogen to their customers than traditional steel tube trailers. This maximizes transportation efficiency, lowers costs, and increases driver productivity. Lower Carbon Intensity: Leveraging localized production and gaseous delivery significantly reduces the lifecycle emissions of hydrogen. Decentralized hydrogen hubs strike a balance, offering reliability, decreased costs, low carbon intensity, quick deployment, and low risk.

1:30PM-1:50PM: "Techno-Economic Analysis of International Hydrogen Supply Chain Considering Uncertainty of Renewables and Demand Using a Temporal Integrated Decision-Making Approach"

Submitted Abstract:  Sunwoo Kim, KAIST

The necessity of international cooperation has been emerged as an important factor for the global energy transition. Some of demand center countries such as Korea and Japan have poor potential of renewables, while Saudi Arabia and Chile has large vacant land with high potential of renewables. However, there is lack of study that analyze the effect of fluctuation of renewables and demand in fast-timescale to the international hydrogen supply chain (HSC). Without considering them and simply assume the 100% operating rate of each facility with no electricity limitation, the evaluation would be unrealistically optimistic and could not reveal the impact of techno-economic parameter such as minimum operating rate of facilities and the interaction between each factor of supply chain. To consider the fluctuation of renewables and demand, we propose a temporal integrated optimization-based method and evaluate the economics of nine prominent routes. We found out that the lead time is no more dominant factor for the economics of HSC but the geographical factor that ability to persistently produce the hydrogen is more dominant factor when considering uncertainty of renewable and demand in fast time-scale. We also analyze the impact of techno-economic parameters such as economies of scale, minimum operating constraint of electrolyzer, and lead time. The optimal ratio and trade-off between HSC are revealed and suggest the blueprint for the future technology development and international HSC projects.