ENERGY SYMPOSIUM SERIES

The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem:

Opportunities and Solutions
Authored by Paul Doucette
02 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions

Table of Contents
Authors, Contributors, and Acknowledgements 3
Executive Summary 4
Background
5
The Business Case for Hydrogen
6-8
The Hydrogen Technology Landscape
8-9
Safety, Policies, and Regulations
Stakeholder Roles 9-11
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Tax Credits 11
Community Engagement and Workforce 12-14
Development
15
Building a Hydrogen Workforce
15-16
The University of Houston's Role
Conclusions 16
References 16
About UH Energy 17
18
03 The Gulf Coast Hydrogren Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions

About the Author

Paul Doucette is the Hydrogen Program Officer in the Division of Energy and Innovation
at the University of Houston. Prior to joining the University, he spent over 50 years in the
oil and gas industry, working in petroleum, the energy transition, policy, and government
affairs management. In his previous role at Baker Hughes, he held an executive leadership
position involving energy transition.

Contributors
The following individuals were members of the planning team for the hydrogen symposium and assisted by extending invitations to
speakers and participants, acted as presenters, moderators, and/or session chairs, and contributed important content to this report.
• Mr. Greg Bean, director, Gutierrez Energy Management Institute, C.T. Bauer College of Business, UH
• Dr. Gail Buttorff, associate director, Center for Public Policy, Hobby School of Public Affairs, UH
• Dr. Joe Powell, founding executive director, Energy Transition Institute, UH
• Dr. Ram Seetharam, executive director, ROICE Program, UH Energy
• Dr. Alan Rossiter, executive director, external relations, and educational program development, UH Energy
• Mr. Melvin White, president, MRSW Management

Acknowledgements
The author and members of the planning team would like to thank and acknowledge Dr. Deidra Perry and her team, particularly Riane
Harris and Ed Bailey IV, for their assistance with the planning, organization, and execution of the symposium. Finally, we acknowledge the
support of the following students for their service in taking notes, which served as the basis for this report.
• Mustafa Khan - Mechanical Engineering
• Prince Aleta - Environmental Engineering
• Shamin Sadat Hosseini - Chemical Engineering
• Aanchal Jaggi - Bauer MBA, Concentration in Business Analytics
• Seyedborhan Mousavi - Chemical Engineering
• Vinay Nagulavancha - Bauer in Finance
• Shreedevi Nandam - Bauer MS in Business Analytics
• Emo Obadiah - Chemical Engineering
• Ricardo Plata - Bauer BBA in Supply Chain
• Jehoiarib Umoren - Bauer MS Supply Chain
• Mohan Ranganadh Vedala - Bauer MS in Business Analytics
• Ana Vielma Amarista - NSM PhD in Geology
04 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions

Executive Summary • Current technology can produce enough hydrogen to meet

near-term goals, but costs must be reduced for large-scale
competitiveness. Achieving this will require new technologies
In 2023, the U.S. federal government announced a $7 billion and updated regulatory, permitting, and policy frameworks.
investment in seven Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (H2 Hubs) to
accelerate the commercial-scale deployment of low-cost hydrogen • Significant opportunities lie in reducing emissions in heavy
as part of the Investing in America agenda. This includes funding industry, energy storage, power production, heavy vehicle
and program support from the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan transportation, export markets, marine applications, and low-
Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction carbon ammonia.
Act. The HyVelocity Hub in Houston was selected as one of the
• Community engagement is critical with a federal initiative
hubs and could receive up to $1.2 billion in federal funding.
requiring 40% of the benefits of clean energy projects,
Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast have the opportunity to including those involving hydrogen, to be targeted to
continue to lead the global hydrogen economy. The knowledge disadvantaged communities. With this and the federal
and experience of being the leading hydrogen producer in the government’s Justice40 goals, companies must prepare for
world with more than 1000 miles of dedicated hydrogen pipeline extensive outreach and collaboration.
connecting to 48 hydrogen production facilities and three significant
• Workforce development will be part of that outreach as the
salt cavern storage, Houston and Texas, which are fast becoming
industry builds a skilled hydrogen workforce. The required
the nation’s leading hub for renewable electricity generation, are
training for this workforce can be delivered through a variety
well-positioned to continue its global hydrogen dominance. The
of mechanisms, from apprenticeships to job training programs,
HyVelocity Hub aims to move the federal initiative to rapidly scale
community programs, colleges and universities, and in-house.
a clean hydrogen value chain with a clear objective to reduce
carbon emissions to less than 2 kilograms per kilogram of hydrogen • Hydrogen and other low-carbon energy industries have the
within a decade and fulfill the promise of the Justice40 initiative potential to attract incoming and future workforce interested in
and prioritize community engagement. The HyVelocity Hub is impact decarbonization and climate mitigation solutions.
also expected to create approximately 45,000 direct jobs. Of
these, 35,000 are in construction and 10,000 are permanent jobs.
Building on this baseline, advocates have set key goals to guide the Symposium Focus
development of Texas as a global hydrogen hub by 2050. These The Division of Energy and Innovation at the University of Houston
include:i organized a symposium exploring the hydrogen ecosystem along
the Gulf Coast on April 17, 2024, as part of the Critical Issues in
• Reaching 21 million tons per year (Mtpa) of clean hydrogen Energy 2023-2024 Symposium Series. The purpose was to better
production, with 12 Mtpa meeting local demand and 9 Mtpa for understand challenges and opportunities emerging in the field,
exports; focused on technology, business, policy, safety, and regulatory
• Creating 180,000 direct, indirect, and induced jobs; issues, community engagement, and workforce development.

• Abating 220 Mtpa of carbon dioxide globally, which is four Participants included representatives of national laboratories,
times the state’s current carbon emissions; academia, think tanks, and hydrogen thought leaders from the
United States and Europe, with additional representation from
• Creating $100 billion in additional economic value, which is government agencies and local communities. Sessions were
5% of the state’s GDP in 2023. conducted under the Chatham House Rules.

Meeting these goals will require large, complex capital projects This report is based on information from the symposium. Slides used
and unprecedented levels of planning, collaboration, and adoption during the presentations are available at https://www.uh.edu/uh-
among many players. energy-innovation/uh-energy/energy-symposium-series/2023-2024/
hydrogen-ecosystem/
Among the key considerations:

• At least some of the announced clean hydrogen projects are

likely to be delayed. In the U.S., uncertainty about tax credits,
lengthy lead times for permitting, equipment delivery, and
other logistical issues, may push the operational date to 2032 or
beyond.
05 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions

Background energy-intensive than production from natural gas. The additional

energy demand substantially increases the cost of clean hydrogen.

Hydrogen is used for a wide range of applications, including oil

VERSATILE CLEAN ABUNDANT
refining, ammonia production, methanol production, and steel
production. The use of hydrogen in transportation, through 1 Carrier Burning Plentiful

2·
Process heat Fuel cell Must produce,
Power conversion transport, and ship
fuel cells and as rocket fuel, as well as in utilities for electricity
generation, and as a fuel for industrial and residential heat are ■

currently niche markets. Already global production capacity for

clean hydrogen has increased 17% since mid-2023. More than
1,400 projects have been announced, mostly in Europe and North INCREASING ELECTRIFICATION POTENTIAL
America, with a projected production of 45 million tons per year of Light transport Short-term power storage Light industry Residential heating/cooling
clean hydrogen by 2030.
INCREASING H2 POTENTIAL
Heavy transport Power backup, Refining/chemical Steel and cement heavy
long term storage feedbacks (no option) industry, process heat

Figure 2. Properties of hydrogen and its unique role in

decarbonization
Source: from UH-CHF Report with Andy Steinhubl.ii

A yet-to-be-exploited option is subsurface geologic hydrogen that

can be found in collected pools or be induced via ingress of water
to iron-rich source rock.

Figure 1. Growth of the global hydrogen ecosystem

Source: McKinsey and Company and Hydrogen Council

Continued growth will not be cheap – globally, more than $570

billion in investments will be needed just to develop the announced
projects by 2030. And even that will not be enough to reach Net
Zero by 2050. The Hydrogen Council, a group of 140 companies
representing the full hydrogen value chain, estimates reaching Net
Zero will require 225 gigawatts of hydrogen electrolysis capacity.
Current capacity is expected to reach slightly more than half that,
120 gigawatts, by 2030. Completing announced projects will
depend on the availability of additional financing, infrastructure
debottlenecking, and additional policymaking and clarification.

In the U.S., most commercial hydrogen (“gray” hydrogen) produced

is from natural gas through steam methane reforming (SMR).
When the carbon emissions produced by this process are captured Figure 3. Geologic Hydrogen: schematic describing generation,
and stored through CCS (Carbon Capture and Sequestration) loss, and extraction
instead of being emitted into the atmosphere, the result is “blue” Source: Hand, 2023.iii
hydrogen. Alternatively, autothermal reforming (ATR) is of growing
interest and uses natural gas to produce “blue” hydrogen with low
carbon intensity. “Green” hydrogen is produced using carbon-free
electricity from renewable sources, such as wind or solar, to split
water into two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, a process
known as water electrolysis.

Hydrogen produced by renewable energy and electrolysis requires

significant energy input to split water molecules and is more
06 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions

Figure 4. Global hydrogen and derivate long-distance trade flows, 2050 MTPA H2 equivalent
Source: Hydrogen Council in collaboration with McKinsey & Company

The Business Case for Hydrogen current operations. Using hydrogen at manufacturing plants in the
region will also significantly lower emissions.

Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast represent about 30% of the The Gulf Coast benefits from deep and broad industry expertise,
national refining capacity. While the refining and petrochemical from major oil and gas companies to industrial gas suppliers and
industries are the current dominant hydrogen users in the region, equipment manufacturers. This industrial backbone, combined
the key opportunities for the desired industrial decarbonization with the region's status as an energy innovation hub means that
are in hard-to-abate sectors like steel production, and heavy-duty with adequate retraining, the hydrogen economy can be built
transportation, including trucking, aviation, and shipping. Three upon existing workforce capabilities and leverage current energy
nascent markets in the region are also likely to grow significantly. industry knowledge. Similarly, the existing base of equipment
These are: manufacturers, engineering/design/construction firms, and
a) hydrogen as a transportation fuel operations and maintenance support service providers can be
b) hydrogen as a vector for long-duration energy storage, and redirected to support the new low-carbon hydrogen supply build-
c) a global market for hydrogen through exports. out.

By 2050, an estimated 335 metric tons of clean hydrogen and its

derivatives will be annually transported over long distances.iv

The opportunities for Houston and the broader Gulf Coast to

become a global hub for producing and exporting hydrogen are
enormous. The regional advantages range from abundant natural
resources to existing infrastructure, which can give Houston a head
start in developing a leadership position. Inexpensive and abundant
natural gas is a critical feedstock for producing blue hydrogen via
SMR with CCS.

The state is also a leader in wind and solar energy, which provide
unmatched potential for low-cost renewable electricity to power
water electrolysis. These existing assets, combined with the large
petrochemicals and refining base spread across the Gulf Coast, can
enable the efficient integration of the hydrogen supply chain with
07 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions
Houston's Hydrogen Advantage 75 million metric tons, by 2050 in a Net Zero emissions scenario,
with 60% of demand coming from Texas and Louisiana. U.S.
Energy Assets Production Transportation, demand will be driven largely by hard-to-abate heavy industrial
Capacity Storage, and Use sectors, including refining, chemicals, cement, and steel.
33% of U.S. H2 Largest Renewable 1000+ miles H2
Production Capacity Energy: 36 GW Wind Pipelines Other key opportunities include:
(48 plants) & 15 GW Solar • Energy storage and power production: Renewable energy
from wind and solar sources is increasing on the ERCOT
11% of U.S. Energy 2.4 Billion tons 3 H2 Storage (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) grid, which serves most of
Jobs of CO2 Storage Caverns (50% of Texas. These loads are highly variable, and dispatchable power
Capacity Global Sites) production using stored hydrogen provides a mechanism for
7000+ Energy 11.2 Tcf Natural Gas 29% of U.S. Refining balancing the grid.
Manufacturing Produced in 2022 Capacity in Texas
Cluster Gulf Coast • Transportation, especially for heavy vehicles, export markets,
Figure 5. Houston and the Gulf Coast are well-positioned to lead and fueling port activities: The potential for hydrogen
the Hydrogen Economy corridors, connecting ports and goods distribution centers,
Source: Adapted from the HyVelocity Hub and the Greater Houston could facilitate the growth of hydrogen refueling infrastructure
Partnership. and accelerate the adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Translating those assets to a hydrogen economy, however, will • Low-carbon ammonia or other hydrogen derivatives can meet
not be seamless. An estimated $570 billion in investments will be the demand for low-carbon shipping fuel: The development
needed to develop the announced projects by 2030. While the of large-scale e-fuel facilities can help meet the demand for
need for massive investment in low-carbon hydrogen production sustainable aviation fuels.
facilities is one of the key considerations for this transition, it is far
While continued technology development and economies of scale
from the only one. Workforce development and training programs
will reduce costs, challenges remain from a business standpoint.
will be vital to ensure the region has the skilled labor needed to
The NPC study noted that significant additional government policy
construct and operate hydrogen facilities. Successful community
support will be necessary to drive down the cost of clean hydrogen
engagement, driving community acceptance and support, will be
production.
equally critical.
High transportation costs may also limit demand growth in that
To drive investment and community acceptance, the current
sector. The development of hydrogen hubs, where production,
regulatory uncertainty facing the developing industry must be
storage, and end-use applications are co-located, could minimize
addressed. While the Section 45V tax credit for clean hydrogen is
transportation costs and risks. These hubs could serve as the
critical for drawing investment, it is not yet clear as to how it will be
foundation for regional hydrogen clusters, connected by dedicated
applied.v
hydrogen pipelines, and foster the growth of a hydrogen economy.
Furthermore, requirements around renewable energy integration Currently, the lack of existing contractual mechanisms for long-
and stringent emissions thresholds could hinder early project term offtake/purchase agreements has made financing for
development. A stable and predictable policy environment will hydrogen projects difficult. Collaboration among asset owners,
provide the necessary confidence for investors and project technology providers, engineering and construction firms, and
developers to commit to hydrogen projects. financial institutions will be needed to de-risk projects and attract
investment.
It is noteworthy that large projects typically require about ten years
from conception to operation. Delays caused by uncertainty about Beyond production, challenges related to distribution must also be
the tax credits, and long lead times for permits, equipment delivery, addressed to ensure widespread demand for clean energy and the
and other logistical issues are likely to delay the projects to 2032 or resulting investment opportunities. The Gulf Coast has the largest
beyond. network of hydrogen pipelines and storage facilities in the nation,
and leveraging this existing infrastructure provides unheralded
Nevertheless, the outlook for demand is strong. The Gulf Coast, opportunity. The region’s massive natural gas infrastructure allows
with its extensive energy infrastructure and access to ports, the potential for repurposing for clean hydrogen use rather than
is uniquely positioned to become a major hub for hydrogen greenfield investments, which should lower costs and speed
production and export, particularly for hydrogen destined for development. For exports, the use of hydrogen derivatives (liquid
Europe and Asia. A recent National Petroleum Council (NPC) study organic hydrogen carriers, ammonia, and methanol) can lower
projected that U.S. hydrogen demand could increase seven-fold, to delivered costs versus liquid hydrogen.
08 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions
The high cost of moving and storing hydrogen in a dedicated costs associated with alkaline electrolyzers. While most regions will
hydrogen network is another key challenge. Repurposing the face these challenges, Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast have a
current natural gas network may face technical and economic unique advantage of inexpensive and rapidly growing renewable
constraints. Permitting pipeline and storage facilities may face electricity generation and a ready market for the monetization
community opposition. Finally, safety concerns may trigger higher of the substantial amounts of co-produced oxygen during water
capital and operational costs to distribute hydrogen. electrolysis.

The hydrogen industry in the U.S. stands at a crossroads, with Fully meeting DOE targets will require reducing or eliminating
significant opportunities driven by federal incentives and growing platinum-group metals, as with the new anion exchange membrane
infrastructure. The opportunities are prominent in Houston and technology, along with reducing the manufacturing costs to
Texas, given the competitive advantages in the region. However, produce multiple units and leveraging low electricity prices. Figure
meeting the ambitious goals of the next five years will require 6 illustrates technological development pathways to meet these
overcoming substantial regulatory and investment challenges. targets via electrolysis.

The Hydrogen Technology Landscape

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has set a target price of
$1/kilogram (kg) for clean hydrogen. Blue hydrogen produced
on the U.S. Gulf Coast can almost reach this target today, with a
price between $1.10/kg to $1.50/kg, pending adaptation of new
technologies for methane emission monitoring and control, and
the partial oxidation or autothermal reforming technologies for
methane or hydrocarbon conversion, with carbon capture and
storage.

Existing technology can produce enough low carbon-intensity

hydrogen to meet up to 25% of energy demand for future users.
However, the cost must drop substantially to become competitive Figure 6. Technology pathway to $1/kg Green Hydrogen
at scale. Further technological development is critical for producing Source: U.S. Department of Energy
clean hydrogen at an affordable price point. Monitoring systems
The use of hydrogen in transportation is impeded by a similar issue
must also be created to ensure that the produced hydrogen is
with the scale-up of production costs associated with hydrogen
indeed a low or zero-emission energy source. One of the ways that
fuel cells and their electrocatalysts. The cost and durability of fuel
blue hydrogen produced from natural gas reforming can qualify
cell catalysts and components must improve if fuel cells are to
for low-carbon credits is by using monitoring systems (satellites,
be competitive with existing hydrocarbon-based fuels or battery-
LIDAR) similar to those used to certify low emissions from methane,
electric alternatives. Increased durability can be achieved at higher
a potent greenhouse gas. Conventional SMR will need to be
platinum loadings for electrocatalysts. However, that will increase
modified or upgraded to include ATR and oxygen-blown partial
the cost of production. Still, hydrogen-powered vehicles have
oxidation, enabling a higher concentration of carbon dioxide to be
simpler drivetrains than internal combustion engine vehicles,
captured from a single point to qualify.
offering optimism for eventual economic parity.
Similar technologies can be implemented in refining and
Hydrogen fuel cell technology could also be a boon for
petrochemical facilities to decarbonize operations, with minimal
decarbonizing marine transit, as could the conversion of clean
investment in infrastructure. This would require building new
hydrogen to ammonia. Ammonia cracking technology must be
carbon dioxide pipelines and developing additional subsurface
further developed to allow conversion back to hydrogen when it
storage sites while using existing technology and assets.
reaches the market.
Green hydrogen produced by water electrolysis is expensive.
While the Gulf Coast has ample storage options for carbon dioxide
Current costs range from $4/kg to $7/kg, making it critical to
produced during the production of hydrogen from natural gas,
receive the subsidies of up to $3/kg included in the Clean Hydrogen
access to sequestration sites is challenged due to concerns about
Production Tax Credit of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The
its permanence and the consequent environmental challenges.
cost is driven by the expensive metals, primarily platinum, used
Thermal decomposition of natural gas into hydrogen and solid
in the electrocatalysts employed with high current density Proton
carbon (methane pyrolysis, or “turquoise hydrogen”) is being
Exchange Membrane (PEM) systems, and the space and operational
09 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions
piloted in the Houston area for deployment in regions where Background
storage is unavailable or where using solid carbon as a building
Hydrogen is the lightest element and has a gas density of
material may be viable.
approximately 0.07 kg/m³ at room temperature and atmospheric
pressure. This is much lower than the density of air at about 1.2 kg/
m³. This can be advantageous as hydrogen typically rises rapidly
through the atmosphere and disperses if released in the open. At
the same time, even though hydrogen is non-toxic, it can displace
oxygen in confined spaces, creating asphyxiation risks. Further,
hydrogen clouds can form under some conditions, leading to
explosions. The broad flammability range of hydrogen in air, which
is 5 to 75% as compared to 5 to 20% for natural gas and 3 to 10%
for LPG, along with a significantly higher burning velocity than
natural gas and LPG, can lead to explosive overpressure when
hydrogen is confined. This can result in fires if hydrogen leaks into a
confined space or is discharged horizontally at high velocity.

Notable historic incidents include:

Figure 7. Carbon dioxide footprint of hydrogen production
• Manchester Township, New Jersey, 1937: The hydrogen-filled
pathways. Error bars represent the range of carbon dioxide eq.
Hindenburg airship caught fire and was destroyed during an
emissions based on fugitive methane emissions upstream of the
attempt to dock, resulting in 35 fatalities.
hydrogen production.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Argonne National Laboratory • Jackass Flats, Nevada, 1964: Hydrogen from a rocket vent
ignited after 13 seconds in an unconfined area during a test to
As Figure 7 illustrates, nuclear energy, especially new, small
measure acoustic noise due to the high flow rate of hydrogen.
modular reactors, offers game-changing possibilities to produce
The resulting explosion was heard 3.2 kilometers away, causing
clean hydrogen, although costs remain high. The discovery of
widespread but relatively minor damage.
geologic hydrogen suggests another avenue. However, significant
technology development is needed to understand where to look for • Sarnia, Canada, 1984: A hydrogen explosion and fire in the
existing pools of subsurface hydrogen and how it could be induced benzene unit of a petrochemical plant resulted in two deaths
subsurface. and two injuries. The explosion occurred when the unit was
restarted following a scheduled maintenance shutdown.
Industry stakeholders in the Houston region and elsewhere are
examining these options, and collaborating on advancing energy However, over the last fifty years, the predominant cause of
storage, backup power, industrial decarbonization, and transportation the over 200 incidents in the U.S. involving hydrogen has been
decarbonization. However, additional policy support and clarification attributed to human error. Nevertheless, hydrogen poses unique
are needed to spur widespread investment in technology development. challenges as it is prone to leak from equipment and piping due
to its extremely small molecular size. Leakage can occur through

Safety, Policies, and Regulations

defective seals or fittings, or due to hydrogen embrittlement. In this
process, hydrogen atoms diffuse and dissolve into a metal, reducing
its ductility or toughness. Over time this can lead to cracking of the
Currently, hydrogen is widely used in industrial applications. metal.
Its risks and hazards are well understood, with techniques
It can be difficult to identify leaks. Research is being conducted on
developed to mitigate those risks. However, a general lack of public
odorizing hydrogen to address this problem. However, no viable
understanding about hydrogen and its safe use could hinder the
odorizing solution has been identified.
widespread adoption of new uses and facilities.

Addressing the risks and ensuring the development of a safety Mitigation of Risks
culture surrounding hydrogen will be essential to a successful
Technological measures have been developed to mitigate the risks,
hydrogen economy. The driving principles of this safety culture
including advanced seals to prevent leaks, vent systems to prevent
include protecting lives and property as a moral obligation,
build-up in confined spaces, criteria for selecting construction
understanding that safe operations make good business sense,
materials, and spacing guidelines for equipment.
protecting market participants from catastrophic losses, and
boosting efficiency and productivity.
10 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions
In addition, best practices can further mitigate risks. These include:

• Incident Learning: Sharing lessons from past incidents is

essential for improving safety.

• Safety Culture: A strong safety culture is vital, starting with

thorough planning and preparedness.

• First Responder Training: Providing detailed incident

information and training first responders are critical steps.

• Community Engagement: Educating the community on

hydrogen safety and emergency procedures strengthens
overall safety.

• Adhere to Standards: Following established safety codes and

standards ensures compliance and enhances safety.

One of the unique features of the upcoming expansion of the

hydrogen economy, at least in the short term, is that the primary
source of interaction of the broad public with the hydrogen
economy will be through the hydrogen pipelines and distribution Figure 8. The Swiss Cheese Model
systems that will deliver the produced hydrogen to their eventual Source: Hopcraft et al. 2023vii
end use in industry or transportation.
National Hydrogen Specific Codes78 Model Codes

Hydrogen Pipelines – Safety and Regulation

• NFPA 2 Hydrogen Technologies Codes • International Fire Code
• NFPA 30A Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilties and • International Building Code
Repair Garages
• NFPA 55 Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Component Listing and Design Standards
The U.S. currently has about 1,600 miles of hydrogen pipelinesvi Fluids Code Currently, few existing components are tested
to listing standards implemented by a nationally
mostly in Texas and Louisiana. There are also significant sub-surface Component Design Standards recognized testing laboratory (NRTL). AHJs may
• ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel79 allow the station manufacturer to provide technical
(salt cavern) storage facilities in both states. • ASME B31.12-Hydrogen Piping and Pipelines information to prove that the compression, storage,
• ASME B31.1-Power Piping and dispensing components used are fit for service.
This network is poised for growth, which may include repurposing • ASME B31.8-Gas Transmission and Distribution As the market develops, the list of listed components
Piping Systems (and systems) is expected to grow.
natural gas pipelines for hydrogen transport and transporting • ASME B31.8S-Managing Systems Integrity of
Gas Pipelines Station Developer Standards
blended streams of natural gas and hydrogen. Regulations already • ASME B31.3-Process Piping (For informational use)
cover hydrogen as a product and changing commodities in a • CGA S-1.1-3: Pressure Relief Device Standards
• CGA-G-5.5: Hydrogen Vent Systems
• SAE J2601-Fueling Protocols for Light Duty
Gaseous Hydrogen Surface Vehicles80
pipeline. However, current regulations lack clarity on repurposing • SAE J2600-Compressed Hydrogen Surface • SAE J2799-Hydrogen Surface Vehicle to Station
Vehicle Fueling Connection Devices Communications Hardware and Software
natural gas pipelines and blending requirements specifically for • UL 2075-Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors • SAE J2719-Hydrogen Fuel Quality for Fuel Cell
and Sensors Vehicles
hydrogen – e.g., the maximum percentage of hydrogen allowed • NFPA 77 and API RP 2003 offer guidance on • HGV CSA Series Standards (currently being
grounding and static electricity
in the blend. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety updated)

Administration (PHMSA) has regulatory and safety oversight of

hydrogen pipelines, including those in Texas. A second recommended practice, API RP 1163, provides
recommendations for enhanced public awareness programs.
In the absence of detailed hydrogen pipeline regulations, the This voluntary approach has enhanced safety without lengthy
industry relies on voluntary Recommended Practices (RPs) from the regulatory processes, reflecting a fundamental shift in how industry
American Petroleum Institute (API). The RPs provide guidance in and regulators view safety and community engagement, favoring
pipeline design and operation. API RP 1173 is a 10-part framework preemptive measures over regulatory compulsion.
encompassing leadership commitment to safety, risk management,
operational controls, management review, incident investigation, Regulations are in place to ensure safety. They are created in
learnings, and documentation. These components minimize the response to a major safety incident or can be in response to research
number and severity of incidents, drawing from the "Swiss cheese that shows a need to change standard designs or operating practices.
model" of risk and accident causation. This likens safety systems For hydrogen pipelines, metallurgy is a key ongoing research area.
to multiple slices of Swiss cheese, with randomly placed and It can address the unique problems of hydrogen-induced metal
sized holes in each slice. Each slice or layer represents a layer of embrittlement that directly impacts the confinement efficacy.
defense against hazards and accidents, and the holes represent
vulnerabilities within the layers. As long as the holes do not align There have been relatively few significant problems related to
with one another, an accident can be averted. hydrogen pipeline maintenance or equipment failures in recent
11 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions
years, suggesting the current voluntary system is effective, at • The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) includes production
least insofar as the current business model for hydrogen and its tax credits (PTCs) for various forms of clean energy. PTCs are
transportation. However, as the hydrogen pipeline system expands, based on the quantity of products produced and differ from
new regulations will be required to account for hydrogen’s unique ITCs, or investment tax credits, where the tax credit offsets a
characteristics, such as susceptibility to embrittlement, metal portion of the initial investment.
cracking, and vulnerability to leakage. Future regulations could
address: 45V: Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit
• Minimum standard specifications for new pipelines to carry
• Provides tax credits for 10 years for projects operational
hydrogen or hydrogen blends.
before 2033.
• Repurposing existing natural gas pipelines for hydrogen • Defines "clean hydrogen" and outlines the criteria for
service or hydrogen blends. The characteristics that should be qualifying.
considered for these regulations would include blend ratios,
operating pressure, pipeline metallurgy, pipeline age and • Projects are required to promote good-paying jobs by
quality, and installation of leak detection. following prevailing wage standards and apprenticeship
requirements to receive full credit.
An additional issue when repurposing pipelines is the agreements
between pipeline operators and landowners. Agreements typically • The carbon intensity calculation must use GREET – a suite
specify the commodity to be transported in the pipeline and may of computational models developed and maintained by
have to be renegotiated when the pipeline is repurposed to carry Argonne National Laboratory.
hydrogen or a hydrogen blend. There may be separate agreements The most prominent credit for hydrogen is the 45V clean hydrogen
for underground mineral rights. New initiatives will be crucial for production tax credit under the federal tax code. Tax credits for
safety as the industry expands the pipeline network. adjacent businesses including nuclear electricity (45U), CCUS
(Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage) (45Q), clean electricity (45Y

Stakeholder Roles
and 48E), and advanced energy projects (48C) provide additional
incentives for the clean hydrogen economy. 45V tax credits are
given based on the carbon intensity (CI) of the hydrogen that is
In the U.S. several specialized organizations focus on hydrogen
produced, as shown in Table 1 below:
safety, including the Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) and
the Hydrogen Safety Panel. CHS provides a range of training Table 1. Tax credits under 45V based on carbon intensity.
programs and information, including a first responders course,
Carbon Intensity Tax Credit
recorded webinars, e-learning courses that provide fundamental
kg CO2e per kg of H2 $/kg of hydrogen
credentials, laboratory training, an electrolyzer safety course, and
conferences for hydrogen professionals. Their website serves as a < 0.45 3.00
comprehensive online hydrogen safety resource. CHS also fosters 0.45 - 1.5 1.00
a global community of experts sharing best practices in hydrogen 0.15 - 2.5 0.75
safety.
2.5 - 4.0 0.60
The Hydrogen Safety Panel is a non-regulatory panel of The rulemaking process for 45V is not yet complete, and there
professionals dedicated to industry safety. It provides guidance to is uncertainty about which projects will be able to use the
help developers and project managers arrive at better solutions. credits and how large the benefits will be. The credits depend
The panel works across the project lifecycle, including the pre- on the greenhouse gas emissions associated with each new
project environment, early design, operations, and program hydrogen production facility, as determined by the GREET Model,
support. (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in
Technologies), which is a full life-cycle model sponsored by the
Hydrogen Policies in the U.S. and Texas Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) for the U.S. Department
of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Policy at the national level is an important driver for developing the (Additional details are in the following section). One major area of
hydrogen ecosystem. Two key pieces of legislation are: contention is the way methane (natural gas) emissions are handled
• The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) in the model for blue hydrogen projects. The version of GREET
includes significant funding for “regional clean hydrogen used for the calculations assumes a fixed percentage leakage of the
hubs.” natural gas supplied for hydrogen production and does not allow
this percentage to be reduced for systems with lower leakage rates.
12 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions
There are additional requirements for the 45V production tax and small nuclear grid generation, management of water resources,
credit. Most notably, for green hydrogen (i.e., hydrogen produced and incentivization of innovative energy resources, including
by electrolysis using electricity from renewable sources), the IRA hydrogen. While the deployment of new carbon sequestration
specifies three main criteria: projects is largely stymied in Texas due to permitting roadblocks
and backlogs, the impacts are likely to significantly impact the
• Time matching between renewable power and hydrogen broader hydrogen economy.
production. By 2028, there must be hourly time matching
between renewable electricity generation and hydrogen There is also community resistance to new hydrogen and CCUS
production. projects in some locations. This is often because of a lack of
understanding about hydrogen technology. Previous safety
• The renewables must be produced in the same region as the incidents can significantly impact community perceptions.
hydrogen. Communication and community engagement are essential to move
forward, as is transparency between project operators, regulators,
• The power facilities need to be incrementally built within the
first responders, and the community.
same period as the hydrogen production facilities.

Adjacent Tax Incentives Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Tax Credits
45Y: Production tax credit for facilities generating clean LCAs measure a product or service's cradle-to-grave environmental,
electricity. economic, and social impacts. In the context of hydrogen, the most
prominent application of LCAs is determining greenhouse gas
45U: Production tax credit for qualified facilities producing emissions.
nuclear electricity.
The GREET Model can be used to evaluate a range of energy
45Q: Tax credit for geological storage or productive systems, including petroleum, natural gas, wind, solar, and nuclear.
utilization of carbon dioxide and certain other carbon-based The GREET model has about 60,000 users globally, in industry,
compounds. academia, government, and other fields. Notably, GREET is used to
inform policies and regulations, in the United States and beyond.
48E: Investment tax credit for clean electricity projects.
The most relevant application of GREET for the current discussion is
48C: Tax credit for investments in advanced energy projects. 45V, the Clean Hydrogen Production Credit.
The 45Q tax credit for carbon sequestration was updated under
IRA. The credit is now $180/ton for geologically sequestered carbon Examples of GREET-informed Policies and Regulations
dioxide and $130/ton for captured carbon dioxide used in enhanced
1. California’s Low-carbon Fuel Standard
oil recovery or other purposes. With these increased credits, some
blue hydrogen projects would be more attractive claiming 45Q 2. Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program
credits rather than 45V production tax credits. Projects cannot claim
45V and 45Q credits at the same time. Paradoxically, in contrast, 3. Washington State Clean Fuel Regulation
there are situations where projects can claim both 45V credits and
4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for renewable fuel
45Y credits.
standard pathway evaluations
State-level policies in Texas for hydrogen are ambiguous. The
5. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for fuel
88th session of the Texas Legislature in 2023 produced bills that
economy regulation
favored fossil fuels and made renewable energy projects more
difficult to implement. However, the Texas Railroad Commission, 6. Federal Aviation Administration and International Civil Aviation
which oversees oil and gas operations in the state, created a new Organization to evaluate aviation fuel pathways.
Hydrogen Production Policy Council, tasked with developing
regulations to bolster the hydrogen market in Texas. This could help 7. Canadian Clean Fuel Regulations by Environment and Climate
accelerate hydrogen infrastructure projects. In addition, legislation Change Canada
incentivized the adoption of clean emission vehicles, specifically
8. Provisions of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and
hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks, with an annual budget of $8 the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, including 45Z (Clean Fuels
million. Production Credit), 40B (Sustainable Aviation Fuel Credit), and
45V (Clean Hydrogen Production Credit)
Likely topics for consideration in the legislative session that begins
in January 2025 include the integration of dispatchable generation
13 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions
There are several versions of GREET. R&D GREETix gives users the gas is fixed at 0.9% in 45VH2-GREET.
flexibility to adjust parameters and thus to model and evaluate a
wide range of feedstocks, configurations, and production systems, 45VH2-GREET can evaluate different pathways for hydrogen
including emerging technologies, various types of water sources for production, including SMR, ATR, low-temperature electrolysis, high-
electrolysis, and different geographical regions. temperature electrolysis (nuclear), coal gasification, and biomass
gasification.
In contrast, GREET versions designed for regulatory purposes are
more constrained. For example, in 45VH2-GREET (the version used The most potentially lucrative tier of 45V could allow producers in
for 45V evaluations), parameters within the model are categorized regions with cheap, plentiful, zero-carbon electricity to produce
as either a) Foreground data with values that users must input to hydrogen almost for free as the capital costs of electrolyzers
characterize well-to-gate emissions.Examples include the amount decrease.x At the same time, 45V must incentivize the production of
of electricity consumption onsite, rate of carbon capture, amount of hydrogen that is truly clean and enable the growth of a stable clean
feedstock consumption, and amount of hydrogen production, or b) hydrogen market. The Clean Air Taskforce (CATF), an environmental
Background data with fixed assumptions that may not be changed organization, has advocated for this perspective and helped the
by the user. Examples include grid carbon intensity, counterfactual Department of the Treasury in the rulemaking process for 45V.
scenarios, and upstream methane emissions leakage. There are five main advocacy focuses for CATF, as outlined below.

ANL has evaluated numerous studies on hydrogen leakage from the

supply chain. Based on these studies, the upstream methane leak
rate associated with extracting, processing, and transporting natural

1. Negative Emissions Negative Emissions

ISSUE: PROPOSED SOLUTION:
Some emissions accounting schemes allow for negative Treasury’s proposed regulation does not allow biomethane-
emissions from the use of biomethane. based hydrogen production to count “negative emissions”
in 45V carbon intensity calculations, although the Treasury
Allowing such a system for 45V accounting could use taxpayer department has opened this issue for comment. CATF continues
dollars to subsidize production methods that do not result in to urge them to maintain the current guidance disallowing
emissions reductions and could threaten the competitiveness of negative emissions accounting.
electrolytic hydrogen production.

2. Fixed Upstream Leak Rates Negative Emissions

ISSUE: PROPOSED SOLUTION:
Under the current version of 45VH2-GREET, the upstream Require use of the project-specific data that is submitted for
methane leak rate associated with extracting, processing, and subparts W and C of EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
transporting natural gas is fixed at 0.9%. The model also includes (GHGRP).
a fixed rate for upstream carbon dioxide.
This data, already submitted by most natural gas operators, is
familiar to the EPA, and is verified by the built-in submission
processes.
14 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions

3. Emissions Averaging Negative Emissions

ISSUE: PROPOSED SOLUTION:
Annual averaging disproportionately penalizes hydrogen Use a kilogram-by-kilogram approach to determine whether,
producers that must temporarily produce hydrogen with higher and at what tier, hydrogen produced in a year qualifies for
emissions intensity to maintain stable operations for customers. section 45V.

A two-step approach for determining lifecycle emissions:

1. An initial threshold of no more than 4 kg CO2e/kg H2 for all
hydrogen produced.

2. Then calculate and credit each hour of hydrogen production

from a facility separately.

4. Three Pillars for Electric Power Negative Emissions

ISSUE: PROPOSED SOLUTION:
Section 45V requires an evaluation of systemwide impacts when Adopt a “three pillars” approach to limit the systemwide
assessing lifecycle emissions. emissions from electrolytic hydrogen.

Increased emissions can come from: Producers must be required to purchase and retire Energy
1. A lack of sufficient clean electricity to meet new demand from Attribute Certificates “EACs” that are generated:
electrolyzers.
1. From newly built clean electricity generators.
2. The use of electricity when clean resources are not producing.
2. In the same hour as the hydrogen producer uses the
3. The inability to deliver clean electricity to the electrolyzer. electricity to produce hydrogen.

3. In the same region as the hydrogen production facility.

5. Exceptions to Incrementality Negative Emissions

ISSUE: PROPOSED SOLUTION:
A 5% exemption to incrementality is too broad and is contrary to Adopt targeted compliance pathways for both curtailments and
the text and intention of Section 45V. A blanket exemption does avoided retirements.
not target the circumstances that cause curtailments, and unfairly
allows financially healthy generators to be exempt when they do Curtailments: Treasury should establish price floors for the
not need the hydrogen revenues to avoid retirement. Rhodium real-time price of electricity for the hydrogen producer (i.e., the
Group found that a 5% exemption could result in 1.5 billion locational marginal pricing), below which electricity could be
metric tons of increased emissions cumulatively through 2035. considered curtailed.

Avoided retirements: A 5% allowance could be applied to

facilities that prove that they are in financial distress and
therefore need the section 45V tax credit to avoid retirement.
15 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions

Community Engagement and Outreach will involve multiple pathways:

• Information can be provided through public meetings,
websites, brochures, and other communication venues.

Workforce Development • Focus groups, town hall meetings, and panel discussions
allow for two-way communications, fostering relationships that
A portion of the federal government’s $2 trillion investment can lead to collaboration.
in addressing climate change is earmarked for underserved
communities. The Justice40 Initiative, included in Executive Order • Digital communications allow companies, regulators, and
14008, sets a goal for 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal others to reach a wider audience, but some underrepresented
climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and community members will need digital resources and literacy
other investments to flow to disadvantaged communities affected skills to access electronic communications.
by underinvestment and pollution.
• Investing in relationships with trusted community members
For the hydrogen economy, educating community members on can build the capacity for peer-to-peer education and training.
hydrogen’s role in the energy transition and removing barriers to
• Hiring from within the community can also help build trust
their full participation in the hydrogen workforce will form the
and educate all members of the community about what a
basis of meaningful community engagement and benefit, from all
hydrogen project involves.
stakeholders, including federal and local government agencies,
companies, and community organizations ranging from nonprofits
to churches.

For most people, community engagement must start with learning

Building a Hydrogen Workforce
about hydrogen, as the public is more familiar with other clean Workforce development enhances sector-specific skills, increases
energy sources, including wind and solar. Simultaneously, to build public awareness of the emerging opportunities in hydrogen
trust, communities must be helped with identifying the needs and energy, and produces community benefits. This is why effective and
concerns of all members. Communities must also be empowered meaningful community engagement is tied to building a skilled
to communicate their needs regularly and effectively to other hydrogen workforce.
stakeholders in the hydrogen economy. Ultimately, meaningful
community engagement will expand to understanding associated The skills that will be needed are not completely new. Those who
job opportunities and needed skills and create opportunities for the work in similar industries like energy, vehicles, and construction
re-skilling or up-skilling that the workforce may need to participate could transition to the hydrogen industry. More broadly, employers
and grow their careers. have expressed that they need a workforce with critical-thinking
skills, high emotional intelligence, and the ability to work in teams.
The benefits of effective community engagement will go beyond
jobs. Hydrogen projects can reduce the harmful emissions that have In return, the hydrogen industry has an advantage that may
disproportionately impacted neighborhoods surrounding traditional serve to attract new talent. Given its role in decarbonizing the
refineries, petrochemical plants, and other energy projects. economy, many people, especially the younger incoming and future
Converting heavy-duty vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell technology workforce, want to be a part of the solution to the climate change
would also significantly reduce emissions. dilemma.

The industrial stakeholders can benefit from community To effectively benefit underrepresented and disadvantaged
engagement based on more efficient decision-making, increased communities, first and foremost, the skills that residents already
public buy-in for new facilities and operations, increased long- have must be assessed. Some may need basic skills training, from
term viability, and reduced litigation. Traditionally, the industry has reading and math to softer workplace readiness skills. Integrating
worked with local government agencies and mostly engaged with a life skills with technical skills training can build a more adaptable
handful of organized community groups. Engaging directly with all hydrogen workforce.
community members, starting early, and maintaining meaningful
When assessing skills and developing community engagement
engagement for the long term will be new for some companies.
and workforce development strategies, it is key to incorporate the
needs of all stakeholders. For example, women and members of
disadvantaged communities are less likely to apply for jobs if they
do not have every requirement listed in the job description. This
indicates that employers should consider job postings carefully and
inclusively.
16 The Gulf Coast Hydrogen Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions
Retraining potential workers can happen at many venues including
community colleges, training centers, and through apprenticeships,
among other ways. Career programs in area high schools can
Conclusions
help, bolstered by efforts to ensure that even young students and Ambitious goals have been set for a decarbonized future, with a
their families, are aware of the job opportunities in the hydrogen substantial role for hydrogen. Houston and the Gulf Coast have a
economy. Universities also have a role to play. This includes generational opportunity to take a leading role in developing the
providing relevant four-year and graduate degree programs and global hydrogen industry for the energy transition. The regional
working with industry to help them connect with local communities. concentration of heavy industry and already sector-leading
Involving employers in reskilling efforts can ensure that workers hydrogen infrastructure places it ahead of other contenders.
have the needed skills and that employers better understand However, the region is not assured of maintaining this position
the people who will make up their future workforce. Several without thoughtful and sustained efforts to increase collaboration
community-based organizations and non-profits are involved in and resolve the major challenges of the hydrogen economy.
sharing information about job opportunities, the skills and training
required, and connecting community members with appropriate The current Houston and Texas Gulf Coast hydrogen economy faces
opportunities. All stakeholders, including project developers, uncertainty about tax credits, delays in permits and equipment
government agencies, and educational institutions must work delivery, and other supply chain and logistics issues. These
with these groups to increase the effectiveness of the workforce will result in pushing back projects. At the same time, current
development efforts, build on the relationships that communities technologies are sufficient for meeting near-term hydrogen
have with these organizations, and have these trusted community production goals. However, costs must be reduced significantly for
partners represent the needs and concerns of communities. As large-scale production and to enable the hydrogen economy in
in other industries, reskilling and upskilling will not be a one-time the long term. Lastly, the current federal incentives and a regional
effort. Providing people with the opportunities and ability to advance hydrogen hub award present significant opportunities for the
in their careers increases job satisfaction, lowers turnover, and can region to be a leader in hydrogen. The outlined goals cannot be met
help address long-standing socioeconomic inequality in Houston. without solving the pressing regulatory and investment challenges
ahead, and effective and meaningful community engagement and
workforce development.

The University of Houston’s Role

The University of Houston, The Energy University®, offers
several advantages. With its expertise in energy research and its
strategic location on the Gulf Coast, UH can play play a vital role in
supporting the growth of the hydrogen industry through:

• Technology research and development, particularly in

areas like ammonia cracking, electrolysis and carbon capture
efficiency improvements, and hydrogen transportation and
storage solutions.

• Workforce development and training programs to build

the skilled workforce needed to build and operate hydrogen
facilities.

• Business and financial modeling to help structure viable

projects and financing mechanisms.

• Opportunities for students and researchers to study the best

methods of collaboration between all stakeholders.

• Foster collaborations among industry, government,

community, and academic stakeholders to address regulatory/
policy hurdles and environmental justice challenges.

• Independent, data-driven analysis to inform decision-making

and public discourse around hydrogen.
17 The Gulf Coast Hydrogren Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions

REFERENCES
i
Houston as the epicenter of a global clean hydrogen hub. 2022. McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/sustainability/
our%20insights/houston%20as%20the%20epicenter%20of%20a%20global%20clean%20hydrogen%20hub/houston-as-the-epicenter-of-a-global-clean-hydrogen-hub-vf.
pdf

ii
Houston: The Low-carbon energy Capital. Four Ways Forward. 2021. University of Houston. https://www.uh.edu/uh-energy-innovation/uh-energy/energy-symposium-
series/2020-2021/low-carbon-energy-capital/content/uh-energy-houston-low-carbon-energy-capital-four-ways-forward.pdf

iii
Hand E. Hidden hydrogen. Science. 2023 Feb 17;379(6633):630-636. doi: 10.1126/science.adh1477.

iv
Global Hydrogen Flows: Hydrogen trade as a key enabler for efficient decarbonization. 2022. Hydrogen Council in collaboration with McKinsey & Company.

https://hydrogencouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Global-Hydrogen-Flows.pdf

v
Section 45V of the federal tax code is a 10-year tax credit for clean hydrogen production. It can be worth up to $3 per kilogram of clean hydrogen produced, based on the
carbon intensity, determined based on the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions rate. For a more detailed discussion of 45V and other tax credits, see the section on Safety,
Policies, and Regulations.

vi
In comparison, there are about three million miles of natural gas pipelines in the U.S.

vii
Hopcraft, R., Tam, K., Dorje Palbar Misas, J., Moara-Nkwe, K., & Jones, K. (2023). Developing a maritime cyber safety culture: Improving safety of operations.

viii
H2Tools. 2024. H2Tools is intended for public use and was built, and is maintained, by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory with funding from the DOE Office of
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office. https://h2tools.org/

ix
GREET. 2024. Argonne National Laboratory’s Systems Assessment Center.

https://greet.anl.gov/

x
Han, H., Kent, E. 2023. Hydrogen in your Hulu ads: Here’s why it matters. Clean Air Task Force.

https://www.catf.us/2023/12/hydrogen-hulu-ads-heres-why-it-matters/#:~:text=A%20key%20concern%20with%2045V,as%20electrolyzer%20capital%20costs%20decrease.
18 The Gulf Coast Hydrogren Ecosystem: Opportunities and Solutions

ABOUT UH ENERGY EDITORIAL BOARD

Ramanan Krishnamoorti
UH Energy is an umbrella for efforts across the University of Houston to position Vice President, Energy and
the university as a strategic partner to the energy industry by producing trained Innovation University of Houston
workforce, strategic and technical leadership, research and development for needed
innovations and new technologies. Greg Bean
Executive Director, Gutierrez Energy
That’s why UH is THE ENERGY UNIVERSITY®. Management Institute

ABOUT THE ENERGY TRANSITION INSTITUTE & TIEEP

Ed Hirs
Lecturer, Department of Economics,
BDO Fellow for Natural Resources

Made possible by a $10 million gift from Shell, the Energy Transition Institute works
to advance reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy for all Christine Ehlig-Economides
through a just and equity-driven pathway. With an emphasis on serving, educating Professor and Hugh Roy and
Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished
and engaging underserved communities, the Institute focuses on three verticals: University Chair
carbon management, hydrogen and circular plastics.

The Texas Industrial Energy Efficiency Program (TIEEP) assists Texas industries in Pablo M. Pinto
Professor, Hobby School of Public
maintaining their world-leading position through ever-improving energy intensity, Affairs and Director, Center for Public
reduced environmental impact, and enhanced social and economic development. Policy

CONTRIBUTORS
Ed Bailey
Communications Manager

Jose Gonzalez-Campelo
Layout & Design

713-743-5355
[email protected]
uh.edu/uh-energy-innovation/