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3 companies collaborate to build green hydrogen facility in Houston

team work

The project is expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year. Graphic courtesy of HNO

Three corporations have teamed up to deliver a first-of-its-kind hydrogen production project to be located in the Houston area.

California-based HNO International Inc. has teamed up with Colorado-based Element One Energy and Houston-based Pneumatic and Hydraulic Co. to develop a hydrogen production facility that will produce 500 kilograms of green hydrogen a day.

"This collaboration represents a major milestone in our commitment to sustainable energy solutions," Donald Owens, chairman at HNO International, says in a news release. "The development of the 500kg per day green hydrogen production facility in Houston is a testament to our dedication to advancing sustainable hydrogen infrastructure.

"This facility is just the beginning, as we have plans for additional installations in 2024, 2025, and beyond, further solidifying our position as leaders in the hydrogen energy infrastructure sector," he continues.

The facility will install HNO International's Scalable Hydrogen Energy Platform, or SHEP, a hydrogen energy system that's designed to produce, store, and dispense green hydrogen from water using a 1.25 megawatt electrolyzer. SHEP is scalable, modular, and compact, requiring less than 3,000 square feet of space.

For 60 years, Pneumatic and Hydraulic Co. has worked in the compressed gas industry with its hydrogen division Total Hydrogen Solutions, serving a range of industries, including notable aerospace clients like SpaceX, Blue Origin, NASA,

Element One Energy designs and manufactures electrolyzers and solid-state hydrogen storage systems with over 20 years of engineering experience with cryogenic storage and high pressures.

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Nominations close Aug. 31 for Houston Innovation Awards — submit today

Awards Season

Calling all Houston energy innovators: The Houston Innovation Awards return this fall to celebrate the best and brightest in the Houston innovation ecosystem, and that includes those leading the energy transition.

Presented by InnovationMap, the fifth annual Houston Innovation Awards will take place November 5 at TMC Helix Park.

The awards program will honor the top startups and innovators in Houston across 10 categories, and we're asking you to nominate the most deserving Houston innovators and innovative companies, including those in the energy transition sector.

This year's categories are:

  • Minority-founded Business, honoring an innovative startup founded or co-founded by BIPOC or LGBTQ+ representation.
  • Female-founded Business, honoring an innovative startup founded or co-founded by a woman.
  • Energy Transition Business, honoring an innovative startup providing a solution within renewables, climatetech, clean energy, alternative materials, circular economy, and beyond.
  • Health Tech Business, honoring an innovative startup within the health and medical technology sectors.
  • Deep Tech Business, honoring an innovative startup providing technology solutions based on substantial scientific or engineering challenges, including those in the AI, robotics, and space sectors.
  • Startup of the Year (People's Choice), honoring a startup celebrating a recent milestone or success. The winner will be selected by the community via an interactive voting experience.
  • Scaleup of the Year, honoring an innovative later-stage startup that's recently reached a significant milestone in company growth.
  • Incubator/Accelerator of the Year, honoring a local incubator or accelerator that is championing and fueling the growth of Houston startups.
  • Mentor of the Year, presented by Houston Community College, honoring an individual who dedicates their time and expertise to guide and support budding entrepreneurs.
  • Trailblazer, honoring an innovator who's made a lasting impact on the Houston innovation community.

Nominations may be made on behalf of yourself, your organization, and other leaders and institutions in the local innovation scene. The nomination period closes on August 31, so don't delay — nominate today at this link, or fill out the embedded form below.

A panel of esteemed judges will review the nominations, and determine the finalists and winners. Finalists will be unveiled on InnovationMap.com on September 30, and the 2025 Houston Innovation Awards winners will be announced live at an event on November 5.

Tickets will go on sale this fall. Stay tuned for that announcement.

Interested in Innovation Awards sponsorship opportunities? Please contact sales@innovationmap.com.

Greentown Labs names first head of philanthropy

new hire

Greentown Labs has named its first-ever head of philanthropy in an "all hands on deck" move to advance philanthropic support for climatetech ventures.

Stacey Harris will join the clean energy incubator and brings more than 15 years of experience to the role, having led major partnerships at organizations like Make-A-Wish International, Movember, Net Impact and the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, according to a release from Greentown.

Harris will be based out of Greentown's Boston-area incubator but will support both its Texas and Massachusetts locations. Greentown maintains headquarters in Houston and Somerville, Massachusetts.

“Stacey brings national reach, local roots, and the entrepreneurial spirit we need,” Georgina Campbell Flatter, CEO of Greentown, said in the release. “She understands that philanthropy isn’t just about raising funds—it’s about building a movement, sustaining an ecosystem, and accelerating change together.”

In her new role, Harris will be tasked with designing and leading a philanthropic strategy that aligns with Greentown's corporate partnerships.

The incubator said in the release that Harris's hire is coming at a "pivotal moment," and the organization is "calling for all hands on deck" to support the clean energy space. "This includes inspiring states and local governments to lean in, individuals and family offices to step up, foundations to mobilize resources, and industry to invest boldly," the release states.

"Philanthropy has the unique power to accelerate innovation where it matters most—by backing the people and ideas that can change the world,” Harris added in the release. “At Greentown, I see an incredible opportunity to partner with local communities in Massachusetts and Texas, while also mobilizing catalytic funds that fuel entrepreneurs globally. I’m energized to work across donors, foundations, and industry to ensure these founders have what they need to go further, faster—together.”

Harris is the latest in a series of new hires for Greentown.

Lawson Gow, founder of The Cannon co-working space and former managing partner at Helium Capital, was named Greentown's Head of Houston in July. Flatter was also named as the organization's new CEO in February, after Naheed Malik was named its new CFO in January.

Houston companies team up on $700M floating solar projects in Texas

float on

Diamond Infrastructure Solutions has given Third Pillar Solar exclusive rights to access Diamond’s Texas reservoirs for the possible launch of utility-scale floating solar installations. Both companies are based in the Houston area.

The potential investment in the floating solar project exceeds $700 million, and the project is expected to generate up to 500 megawatts of solar energy.

“Our agreement with Third Pillar marks a bold step forward in how we think about infrastructure and sustainability. By transforming underutilized water surfaces into clean energy assets, Diamond is advancing its commitment to innovation while delivering long-term value,” Ed Noack, CEO of Diamond Infrastructure Solutions, said in the release.

Dow Chemical Co. and a fund directed by Macquarie Asset Management announced the formation of Diamond in 2024. Dow holds a majority stake in Diamond, which owns Gulf Coast infrastructure used by Dow and other industrial customers at five locations in Texas and Louisiana.

The solar installations are scheduled to be built and in operation by the end of the decade.

The agreement between Diamond and Three Pillar “demonstrates the growing appetite for utility-scale energy solutions and highlights how floating solar can enhance and transform the value of existing infrastructure, all while providing cost-competitive energy, preserving agricultural land, reducing evaporation losses, and existing out of public view,” Jaimeet Gulati, CEO of Third Pillar, added in the realease.

Founded in 2022 and majority-owned by renewable energy investor Glentra Capital, Third Pillar develops, owns and operates floating photovoltaic solar installations. The installations are designed to float in places such as wastewater lagoons, reclaimed sand and gravel pits and industrial reservoirs. Third Pillar’s development pipeline contains more than 60 projects.

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