top project

Houston energy leader wins hydrogen program's competition

The University of Houston's new hydrogen program selected an Houston executive's team as the top project of the course. Photo via Getty Images

An executive from Houston-based SCS Technologies is celebrating a win from his time at the University of Houston Hydrogen Economy Program.

Cody Johnson, CEO of SCS Technologies, a provider of CO2 measurement systems, petroleum LACT units, and methane vapor recovery units, was on the winning 2024 Spring Capstone Project team for the UH program with the project, "Business Roadmap for Utilizing Hydrogen in Houston." The presentation outlined possible profits of $1.8 billion over the contract life with $180 million in green H2 investments.

The winning capstone project demonstrated the implementation of decarbonization processes. It included the enhancement of “capacity utilization in existing industrial hydrogen production along the Houston Ship Channel through amine capture technology,” according to a news release.

The team also identified business opportunities in producing ammonia as a liquid carrier by using the Haber-Bosch process that would leverage maritime ammonia tanker fleets to ship to Western Europe and Northeast Asia markets.

"It was an honor to collaborate with my Hydrogen Economy Program teammates to explore business opportunities using existing technologies to produce clean hydrogen and reinvest profits to further advance decarbonization efforts in the future," Johnson says in a news release. "I extend my gratitude to the University of Houston for assembling top-notch resources on the critical topic of clean hydrogen production. By bringing together students, corporate leaders, engineers, and scientists, we are able to join forces to accelerate the renewable hydrogen economy."

Cody Johnson is the CEO of SCS Technologies, a provider of CO2 measurement systems, petroleum LACT units, and methane vapor recovery units. Photo courtesy of SCS

UH’s Hydrogen Economy Program helps energy professionals and students strategically at the world’s energy hub in the Houston area. The program provides a forum for information from faculty and industry leaders. Participants in the University of Houston Hydrogen Economy Program can develop a capstone project by using knowledge from the completed course and then present a business plan for a clean hydrogen start-up venture. The projects were evaluated by a panel of judges after class presentations.

"At the University of Houston, we are committed to advancing the energy transition by bringing diverse skills and knowledge together," Alan Rossiter, executive director of external relations and educational program development for UH Energy, says in a news release. "The Hydrogen Economy Program is one of the many ways we achieve this. With the new cohort beginning in August and registration now open, we look forward to working with a new group of passionate, curious, and intelligent energy professionals and students."

The Hydrogen Economy is a part of UH Energy's Sustainable Energy Development portfolio. The Hydrogen Economy Program is a joint effort by UH and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

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A View From HETI

Rice University's László Kürti has been researching a molecule known as N4 that releases large amounts of energy. Photo by Jeff Fitlow/ Courtesy Rice University.

Rice University chemistry professor László Kürti was named as a recipient of the 2025 Ross M. Brown Investigator Award from the California Institute of Technology’s Brown Institute for Basic Sciences.

Kürti is one of eight mid-career faculty members to receive up to $2 million over five years for their research in the physical sciences.

“I’m greatly honored,” Kürti said in a news release. “We will learn a tremendous amount in the next five years and gain a much clearer understanding of the challenges ahead.”

Kürti was selected for the research he’s been developing for six years on a molecule called tetrahedral N4, which studies show can release large amounts of energy on demand. The molecule can also decompose directly into nitrogen gas without producing carbon dioxide or water vapor. Kürti believes N4 can be used as a "new type of fuel for vehicles."

“Eventually, N4 and other stable, neutral polynitrogen cages could be used to power rockets, helping us reach the moon or Mars faster and with heavier payloads,” he added in this release.

The Brown Investigator Awards were founded by entrepreneur and Caltech alumnus Ross M. Brown and established by the Brown Science Foundation in 2020. The organization has recognized 21 scientists over the last five years.

“Midcareer faculty are at a time in their careers when they are poised and prepared to make profound contributions to their fields,” Brown said in the news release. “My continuing hope is that the resources provided by the Brown Investigator Awards will allow them to pursue riskier innovative ideas that extend beyond their existing research efforts and align with new or developing passions, especially during this time of funding uncertainty.”

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