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Can’t-miss Houston energy event: Hydrogen Technology Expo

The must-attend exhibitor hall and conference creates the perfect place to make new industry connections and grow existing relationships. Photo courtesy of hydrogen-expo.com.

NRG Center opens its doors June 28 to 29 to North America’s leading event focused primarily on hydrogen.

The packed agenda for the H2 Hydrogen Technology Expo features two days of engaging presentations aimed at establishing hydrogen as the primary option for aircraft, shipping, heavy- and light-duty commercial vehicles, space and UAV technology, and mobile and stationary applications at remote locations. Over 100 expert speakers will examine solutions addressing hydrogen’s technical and economic challenges.

Four distinct discussion tracks emphasizing technical and R&D solutions proposed to develop and overcome some of the main barriers to hydrogen and fuel cell adoption will run simultaneously, with common break times allowing for plenty of networking.

  • Track 1: clean hydrogen production, storage, and infrastructure development
  • Track 2: fuel cell technology
  • Track 3: low-carbon fuels and propulsion
  • Track 4: carbon capture, utilization, storage, and blue hydrogen

The conference showcase explores advanced design, testing, development, manufacturing solutions, and materials for hydrogen fuel cells. Additionally, attendees will discover new technology intended to advance efforts for low-carbon hydrogen production, and efficient storage, transport, and infrastructure.

Full-conference pass holders may also access the Carbon Capture Technology Expo, recently combined into the H2 Hydrogen Technology Conference as Track 4 but featuring a unique exhibition space focused on decarbonizing heavy industry.

Registration is available at hydrogen-expo.com, where the main exhibition hall is free to attend.

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A View From HETI

A new Houston battery storage facility has come online in just six weeks. Photo courtesy FlexGen

Colorado-based energy storage company SMT Energy and North Carolina-based software company FlexGen have begun operations of Houston IV, a 160-megawatt utility-scale battery storage facility that aims to support the ERCOT grid.

The companies delivered the project in just six weeks, according to a news release. Mississippi-based Irby Construction Company served as the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) partner, and CenterPoint Energy will serve as the interconnecting utility.

“FlexGen’s distinctive combination of software automation, our remote operations center, and on-the-ground field expertise all work together to accelerate battery deployment,” Jason Rislov, SVP of operations at FlexGen, said in the release. “What used to take 25-plus weeks took us six. That time saved translates directly into giving the grid and consumers what they need most right now: a more reliable, resilient energy system.”

Houston IV is one of more than 12 projects that SMT and FlexGen have built to connect to ERCOT, according to Energy Storage News.

“Bringing a 160-MW battery storage facility online in just six weeks required disciplined planning, seamless coordination, and an unwavering focus on safety and quality,” Shaun Coleman, project manager at Irby Construction, said in a news release. “The SMT Energy, FlexGen, and Irby Construction teams coordinated engineering, procurement, and construction to keep every workstream aligned, identify challenges early, and maintain safety and quality at an accelerated pace. That integration is critical, not only to delivering projects quickly, but also to ensuring battery storage facilities perform reliably over the long term.”

Houston IV is expected to store and provide enough electricity to power 8,800 homes in Texas annually. In March, SMT Energy secured $135 million in funding for the project from Macquarie and KeyBanc Capital Markets as joint lead arrangers. SMT and FlexGen broke ground to signal the start of the process in May.

In 2023, SMT Energy and joint venture partner SUSI Partners also announced plans to add 10 battery storage projects to Texas, which would double capacity from 100 megawatts to 200 megawatts in the Houston and Dallas areas.

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