Hydrogen Day 2025 Agenda
Tuesday, October 7
San Jacinto Hall - Multipurpose Room (SJH 207), 309 E. 21st Street, Austin, TX 78705
11:00 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
11:00 a.m. | Registration
Lunch Provided
11:55 a.m. | Welcome Remarks
Brian Korgel
Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
12:00-12:45 p.m. | Luncheon Presentation: Reciprocating Compressors for The Hydrogen Economy
Luiz Soriano
Key Account Manager, Neuman & Esser USA
Different H2 compression technologies available. Fundamentals of Reciprocating Compression Technology. Benefits and challenges of large-scale Hydrogen compression. Typical applications across the Hydrogen Value Chain with real project examples.
1:00 p.m. | Poster Competition
3:30 p.m. | The Hydrogen ProtoHub Research, Education, Training, and Innovation Facility at The Univeristy of Texas at Austin
Michael Lewis
Director, Center for Electromechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
3:45 p.m. | Panel: Accelerating Innovation and Economic Development Through UT-Industry Partnerships: The Hydrogen ProtoHub & Beyond
Moderator: Susan Shifflett
Executive Director, Texas Hydrogen Alliance
Jared Cuneo
Chief Engineering Officer, Premier Production Equipment
Karen Espiritu
Business Development, Fuel Cell Solutions, Toyota Motor North America
Andrew Johnson III
Dean, Computer and Engineering Technologies, Lone Star College–University Park
Michael Lewis
Director, Center for Electromechanics, The University of Texas at Austin
Syed Mubeen
Chief Technology Officer, SunHydrogen
Derek Stoops
President, Search2light Solutions
John Valenza
Scientist, Research Division, ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
5:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks
5:00-7:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception
Kick off Hydrogen Day with light bites, drinks, and great conversation.
Wednesday, October 8
San Jacinto Hall - Multipurpose Room (SJH 207), 309 E. 21st Street, Austin, TX 78705
8:15 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
8:15 a.m. | Registration
Coffee & Breakfast Provided
9:00 a.m. | Welcome Remarks
Brian Korgel
Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
The Honorable Drew Darby
Texas State Representative, District 72
Chairman, House Committee on Energy Resources
9:15 a.m. | The Future of Green Hydrogen: Risk Mitigation and Cost-Effective Electrolyzer Solutions
Christian Rockenbauch
Director of Engineering, Hydrogen Electrolysis, thyssenkrupp nucera USA
Green hydrogen is a critical component in advancing the global energy transition. This presentation will address the urgent need to overcome key challenges, including risk mitigation and the sustainable scaling of production. By leveraging advanced technologies and promoting industry-wide collaboration, he will outline strategies to reduce production costs, thereby making green hydrogen more accessible and economically viable. Ultimately, effective management and innovative, cost-efficient solutions are fundamental to realizing green hydrogen's potential as a cornerstone of tomorrow's future.
9:45 a.m. | Hydrogen Innovation, Reality, and Opportunity
Trevor Best
CEO, Syzygy Plasmonics
During this talk we will cover Syzygy’s innovative light driven chemical reactor technology, how it can be applied to hydrogen production, and how it compares with other processes. We will also explore the evolving hydrogen market, confronting some of the realities that the hydrogen economy is running into right now, as well as potential bright spots where there is still an opportunity for the world’s hydrogen dreams to take hold.
10:15 a.m. | Chevron's Hydrogen Aspirations and Activities
Allen “Al” Toweill
Hydrogen Delivery Manager, Chevron
We believe hydrogen’s growth is naturally linked to a lower carbon future, and Chevron is well positioned to create a profitable, large-scale hydrogen business that builds on our assets, our capabilities, and our customer relationships. We believe hydrogen, ammonia, and other derivatives will be produced from a portfolio of supply sources, for global utilization across the transportation, power and industrial sectors. This presentation will outline how Chevron thinks about these sectors and what are some of Chevron's key activities in support.
10:45 a.m. | Networking Break
11:00 a.m. | Panel: Geologic and Geo-engineered Hydrogen
Moderator: Mark Shuster
Deputy Director, Energy Division, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin
Franek Hasiuk
Geologist, Geotechnology & Engineering Dept., Sandia National Laboratories
Toti Larson
Research Associate Professor; Principal Investigator, Mudrock Systems Research Laboratory (MSRL), Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin
Saad J. Saleh
Research Consultant, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin
Martin Terrell
Energy Transition Subsurface Lead, ExxonMobil
Naturally occurring (geologic) hydrogen, and the potential for in situ production of hydrogen through engineered, subsurface stimulation of rocks in the subsurface are driving new exploration ventures and research and development in the U.S. and globally. This panel will discuss the technical opportunities and challenges with geologic and geo-engineered hydrogen.
12:00 p.m. | Networking Lunch
Enjoy lunch and network with fellow attendees.
1:00 p.m. | Hydrogen Discussion: Panel 1
Moderator: Andy Uhler
Energy Journalism Fellow, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
C. Tyler Dick
Assistant Professor, Maseeh Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Texas Railway Analysis & Innovation Node (TRAIN), The University of Texas at Austin
Bill Elrick
Executive Director, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership
Thomas "Tom" Lavertu
Senior Engineer Advanced Technologies, Wabtec
1:45 p.m. | The Energy Eclipse: Where Dead Oilfields Become Clean Energy Giants
Prab S. Sekhon
CEO, Gold H2
The world’s abandoned oilfields represent untapped potential, not stranded costs. Eclipse Energy is pioneering technology that converts uneconomic hydrocarbons into hydrogen, transforming forgotten reservoirs into engines of the clean energy economy. We’re not waiting for the future, we’re engineering it.
2:15 p.m. | Between Two Cacti Geological Hydrogen Production Startup Spotlight: GeoKiln Energy Innovation
Brian Korgel
Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
Lorna Ortiz
Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer, GeoKiln Energy Innovation
Alexei Tcherniak
Co-Founder & CEO, GeoKiln Energy Innovation
This Between Two Cacti conversationa will focus on GeoKiln, an innovative cleantech energy start up that is developing a new process called Manufactured Subsurface Hydrogen (MSSHTM) MSSH accelerates natural geologic reactions that produce hydrogen in iron rich rock formations using precision electrical heating. Energy Institute Director Brian Korgel will chat with GeoKiln's founders (literally between two cacti) to learn more about their technology, vision and how it's all going.
2:45 p.m. | Developing Technology Solutions for Low Carbon Hydrogen
Ashish Mhadeshwar
LCS H2 Technology Portfolio, ExxonMobil Technology & Engineering
Perspective on developing technology solutions grounded in fundamental science with examples of ongoing R&D activities.
3:15 p.m. | Networking Break
3:30 p.m. | Panel: From Innovation to Deployment – Scaling Clean Hydrogen Across Industries
Moderator: Derek D. Adams
Managing Director, Permian Energy Development Laboratory
Arnaud Berthet
Managing Director Gas - North America, ENGIE
Tingting Chen
Senior Technical Leader, Advanced Generation and Carbon Capture and Storage Program, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Michael “Mike” Curtis
Senior Manufacturing & Engineering Technology Fellow, Energy and Climate Technology Center, The Dow Chemical Company
4:15 p.m. | Hydrogen Discussion: Panel 3
Moderator: Joaquin Resasco
Assistant Professor, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Jeffrey Goldmeer
Senior Director, Technology Strategy and H2 Value Chain, GE Vernova
Amine Houssaim
CEO, INNOVX & HydroJeel
Filipe Joel Soares
Area Manager, INESC Technology and Science
Assistant Professor, Lusophone University of Porto
5:00 p.m. | Between Two Cacti: The Emerging Global Hydrogen Market with Guest Greg Gosnell
Brian Korgel
Director, Energy Institute, The University of Texas at Austin
Greg Gosnell
President & Chief Executive Officer, GenH2
Between Two Cacti: In this conversational series, Energy Institute Director Brian Korgel sits down (literally between two cacti) with energy leaders to talk about the big ideas—and some behind-the-scenes personal stories—that are shaping the future of energy. Filmed at The University of Texas at Austin during Hydrogen Day, Korgel and his guests bring some fresh perspectives and a little Texas charm to the serious business of powering our world.
Korgel will be joined by Greg Gosnell, President & Chief Executive Officer of GenH2, with a focus on advanced infrastructure concepts to accelerate the hydrogen economy standards.
5:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks & Poster Winner Announced
5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. | Networking Reception
Join us for food, drinks, and new connections.
Thursday, October 9
UT Pickle Research Campus, ProtoHub, 2927 James Hart Trail, Austin, 78758
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Tour of the Hydrogen ProtoHub
Parking: More information to come.
Information: Please note that the site is uncovered. Wear appropriate clothing and be mindful of weather conditions. Light Breakfast will be provided.