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

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 (MSSH^TM) 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: Print and display the visitor parking permit on dashboard. 

Information: Please note that the site is uncovered. Wear appropriate clothing and be mindful of weather conditions. Light Breakfast will be provided.