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Houston’s revolutionary energy shift: A personal journey of discovery

the view from heti

"In reflecting upon my journey through Houston’s energy landscape, it’s evident that the city stands on the cusp of a transformative era." Photo via Getty Images
The following was written by Pavan Kumar Medepalli, MBA candidate at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School.

As I reflect on my past visit to Houston, it’s not the usual sights or activities that linger but the pulse of a city redefining its energy narrative. The vibrant energy, the breakthroughs in innovation, and the spirited conversations with passionate individuals left an indelible mark. To my LinkedIn community, I invite you to join me on this journey into the heart of Houston’s transformative landscape.

Houston, traditionally known as the “Energy Capital of the World,” is now pioneering a new path. My recent trip provided a deep dive into its evolution from a primary energy hub to a beacon of global energy transition. At the forefront of this change are entities like HETI, Ion, Renewable Energy Alliance Houston, and Greentown Labs, each shaping a vibrant ecosystem of innovation.

During my recent three-day trip to Houston, I had the incredible opportunity to immerse myself in some of the city’s most groundbreaking and influential spaces dedicated to energy innovation and sustainability. The experience was nothing short of transformative, and I’m eager to share some of the highlights and personal takeaways from this journey.

Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI):

HETI, with its compelling mission to revolutionize the energy landscape, stands out as a beacon of Houston’s dedication to sustainable change. This initiative capitalizes on Houston’s rich energy heritage, tapping into its vast infrastructure, expertise, and financial prowess, aiming to facilitate the global transition towards a cleaner, sustainable energy future.

One of the highlights of my trip was the privilege of interacting with Jane Stricker, Vice President of HETI. Her insights were invaluable. As the VP elaborated, HETI’s goal is not just about innovating for cleaner energy but establishing a framework where the transition is inclusive, impactful, and resilient. The organization aims to bring together diverse stakeholders, from industry stalwarts to budding researchers, forging a collective vision for the energy future.

It was quite interesting to know that HETI is backed by its member companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, SABIC and their strategy is to:

  • Jumpstart efforts in the sectors where Houston has a strategic advantage, Like CCUS, Clean Hydrogen, Circular Economy, and Energy Storage Solutions.
  • Attract and support companies in established new energy industries like Wind, Solar, RNG, Low-carbon LNG, and biofuels.

I truly appreciate the efforts of HETI and Greater Houston Partnership for their continuous efforts to be at the forefront of Energy Transition.

Ion

The Ion has provided a perfect ecosystem for founders, researchers, innovators, investors and corporate leaders to build scalable enterprises.

Navigating the vibrant ecosystem of the Ion innovation hub in downtown Houston, I quickly realized its uniqueness. This hub isn’t just about co-working spaces or networking events; it offers a dynamic platform where founders and innovators come to life with their ideas. I sensed the entrepreneurial spirit in every corner, every discussion, and every presentation.

In my exploration, I discovered that startups, both budding and established, frequently have opportunities to pitch their ideas. This isn’t just a standard pitch session; it’s a transformative experience. Founders present their innovations and visions to an audience that’s a blend of seasoned professionals, industry experts, and potential investors. Each pitch session felt like a grand performance, filled with passion, determination, and vision.

What’s even more impressive is how these sessions cater to investors. For them, the Ion hub becomes a treasure trove of opportunities. As an investor, sifting through numerous pitches can be a daunting task. But here, the environment ensures they witness only the most promising and aligned pitches, allowing them to identify the right investment opportunities that match their portfolios and interests.

The frequency of these pitches ensures a continuous flow of fresh ideas, and as a founder, you’re always in front of an audience that matters. It’s a win-win: founders get regular feedback and potentially find the right partners, while investors stay updated with the latest innovations and can quickly spot the next big thing.

Immersing myself in this environment, I felt the palpable excitement. Founders eagerly prepping for their pitches, investors actively engaged in discussions, and the continuous buzz of potential collaborations. The Ion hub has successfully created a space where ideas meet capital, where dreams meet reality, and where every pitch could be the beginning of the next big success story.

Greentown Labs

As I delved deeper into the ecosystem of Greentown Labs after my engagement with The Ion, I was struck by the holistic approach this hub takes toward nurturing innovation. Beyond being a space for clean tech and sustainable ventures, Greentown Labs offers a myriad of resources tailored for startups.

One of the standout features is their state-of-the-art prototyping labs. Founders have access to cutting-edge equipment, enabling them to transform their visionary ideas into tangible prototypes, fast-tracking the path from concept to realization.

But it’s not just about physical resources. Greentown Labs champions a collaborative ethos. Shared resources mean startups can lean on each other, pooling knowledge and skills and fostering an environment of mutual growth. This spirit of collaboration extends to their mentorship programs. New ventures can tap into a wealth of experience, gaining insights and guidance from seasoned professionals who’ve walked the path before.

Engaging with founders from CLS Wind and Mars Materials, it became evident how such an integrated support system propels their ambitions. Greentown Labs, in essence, is more than just a hub; it’s a community. A community where sustainability meets innovation, where ideas are nurtured with the right tools and mentorship, and where the future of clean tech is being crafted.

A special thank you to Jane Stricker from Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), whose passion and vision for a sustainable energy future left a profound impact on me; Kay McCall from Renewable Energy Alliance – Houston, whose leadership and insights were truly enlightening; Barbara Burger, whose innovative approach to bridging traditional energy with emerging technologies is commendable; and Joey Sanchez from Ion Houston, whose deep understanding of Houston’s business ecosystem and dedication to fostering change enriched my perspective immensely. Each of you played a pivotal role in making my experience memorable and filled with invaluable learnings. Thank you for your time, willingness to share, and for being such inspiring figures in this transformative journey Houston is undertaking.

In reflecting upon my journey through Houston’s energy landscape, it’s evident that the city stands on the cusp of a transformative era. The concerted efforts of organizations like HETI, Ion, and Greentown Labs exemplify Houston’s unwavering commitment to reimagining its energy identity. This isn’t just about evolving from its storied past as the “Energy Capital of the World.” It’s about setting the gold standard for what energy transition on a global scale looks like. Houston’s evolution, fueled by innovation, collaboration, and sheer determination, sends a resounding message to the world: the energy transition is not just feasible; it’s already underway. The endeavors and successes in this space are a testament to Houston’s vision and resilience, proving that any city can redefine its narrative with the right framework and community. As I conclude my reflections, I’m filled with a profound sense of optimism. Houston, you’ve not only lived up to your legacy but are also charting a new course that will inspire generations to come.

———

This article originally ran on the Greater Houston Partnership's Houston Energy Transition Initiative blog. HETI exists to support Houston's future as an energy leader. For more information about the Houston Energy Transition Initiative, EnergyCapitalHTX's presenting sponsor, visit htxenergytransition.org.

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UH launches new series on AI’s impact on the energy sector

where to be

The University of Houston's Energy Transition Institute has launched a new Energy in Action Seminar Series that will feature talks focused on the intersection of the energy industry and digitization trends, such as AI.

The first event in the series took place earlier this month, featuring Raiford Smith, global market lead for power & energy for Google Cloud, who presented "AI, Energy, and Data Centers." The talk discussed the benefits of widespread AI adoption for growth in traditional and low-carbon energy resources.

Future events include:

“Through this timely and informative seminar series, ETI will bring together energy professionals, researchers, students, and anyone working in or around digital innovation in energy," Debalina Sengupta, chief operating officer of ETI, said in a news release. "We encourage industry members and students to register now and reap the benefits of participating in both the seminar and the reception, which presents a fantastic opportunity to stay ahead of industry developments and build a strong network in the Greater Houston energy ecosystem.”

The series is slated to continue throughout 2026. Each presentation is followed by a one-hour networking reception. Register for the next event here.

ExxonMobil pauses plans for $7B hydrogen plant in Baytown

project on pause

As anticipated, Spring-based oil and gas giant ExxonMobil has paused plans to build a low-hydrogen plant in Baytown, Chairman and CEO Darren Woods told Reuters.

“The suspension of the project, which had already experienced delays, reflects a wider slowdown in efforts by traditional oil and gas firms to transition to cleaner energy sources as many of the initiatives struggle to turn a profit,” Reuters reported.

Woods signaled during ExxonMobil’s second-quarter earnings call that the company was weighing whether it would move forward with the proposed $7 billion plant.

The Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act established a 10-year incentive, the 45V tax credit, for production of clean hydrogen. But under President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the period for beginning construction of low-carbon hydrogen projects that qualify for the tax credit has been compressed. The Inflation Reduction Act called for construction to begin by 2033. The Big Beautiful Bill changed the construction start time to early 2028.

“While our project can meet this timeline, we’re concerned about the development of a broader market, which is critical to transition from government incentives,” Woods said during the earnings call.

Woods had said ExxonMobil was figuring out whether a combination of the 45Q tax credit for carbon capture projects and the revised 45V tax credit would enable a broader market for low-carbon hydrogen.

“If we can’t see an eventual path to a market-driven business, we won’t move forward with the [Baytown] project,” Woods told Wall Street analysts.

“We knew that helping to establish a brand-new product and a brand-new market initially driven by government policy would not be easy or advance in a straight line,” he added.

ExxonMobil announced in 2022 that it would build the low-carbon hydrogen plant at its refining and petrochemical complex in Baytown. The company had indicated the plant would start initial production in 2027.

ExxonMobil had said the Baytown plant would produce up to 1 billion cubic feet of hydrogen per day made from natural gas, and capture and store more than 98 percent of the associated carbon dioxide. The plant would have been capable of storing as much as 10 million metric tons of CO2 per year.

Greentown and partners name 10 startups to carbontech accelerator

new cohort

The Carbon to Value Initiative (C2V Initiative)—a collaboration between Greentown Labs, NYU Tandon School of Engineering's Urban Future Lab and Fraunhofer USA—has announced 10 startup participants to join the fifth cohort of its carbontech accelerator.

The six-month accelerator aims to help cleantech startups advance their commercialization efforts through access to the C2V Initiative’s Carbontech Leadership Council (CLC). The invitation-only council consists of corporate and nonprofit leaders from organizations like Shell, TotalEnergies, XPRIZE, L’Oréal and others who “foster commercialization opportunities and identify avenues for technology validation, testing, and demonstration,” according to a release from Greentown

“The No. 1 reason startups engage with Greentown is to find customers, grow their businesses, and accelerate impact—and the Carbon to Value Initiative delivers exactly that,” Georgina Campbell Flatter, CEO of Greentown, said in a news release. “It’s a powerful example of how meaningful engagement between entrepreneurs and industry turns innovation into commercial traction.”

The C2V Initiative received more than 100 applications from 33 countries, representing a variety of carbontech innovations. The 10 startups chosen for the 2025 fifth cohort include:

  • Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Sora Fuel, which integrates direct-air capture with direct conversion of the captured carbon into syngas for production of sustainable aviation fuel
  • Brooklyn-based Arbon, which develops a humidity-swing carbon-capture solution by capturing CO₂ from the air or point-source without heat or pressure
  • New York-based Cella Mineral Storage, which works to develop subsurface mineralization technology with integrated software, enabling new ways to sequester CO2 underground
  • Germany-based ICODOS, which helps transform emissions into value through a point-source carbon capture and methanol synthesis process in a single, modularized system
  • Vancouver-based Lite-1, which uses advanced biomanufacturing processes to produce circular colourants for use in textiles, cosmetics and food
  • London-based Mission Zero Technologies, which has developed and deployed an electrified, direct-air carbon capture solution that employs both liquid-adsorption and electrochemical technologies
  • Kenya-based Octavia Carbon, which develops a solid-adsorption-based, direct-air carbon capture solution that utilizes geothermal heat
  • California-based Rushnu, which combines point-source carbon capture with chemical production, turning salt and CO2 into chlorine-based chemicals and minerals
  • Brooklyn-based Turnover Labs, which develops modular electrolyzers that transform raw, industrial CO2 emissions into chemical building blocks, without capture or purification
  • Ontario-based Universal Matter, which develops a Flash Joule Heating process that converts carbon waste such as end-of-life plastics, tires or industrial waste into graphene

The C2V Initiative is based on Greentown Go, Greentown’s open-innovation program. The C2V Initiative has supported 35 startups that have raised over $600 million in follow-on funding.

Read about the 2024 cohort here.
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