What does it take for an organization to become a leader? Sometimes it takes a mediocre product and a slick marketing campaign. Other times it requires repackaging already existing technology into an easy-to-use product, which was the case when the iPhone first came to market. However, to be a genuine leader requires risk taking, substance, and vision, and all three of those qualities were on display for the whole world to see at Hyzon’s Midwest Hydrogen Summit on July 7th.
Hyzon’s New Digs
Since the beginning of 2021, Hyzon has been building a hydrogen fuel cell stack production facility in Bolingbrook, IL, and it recently completed constructing its MEA (membrane electrode assembly) production line (the MEA is the “heart” of a fuel cell). To celebrate that milestone as well as to give members of organizations in the U.S., and globally, the ability to see what a MEA, fuel cell, fuel cell stack, and hydrogen system look like, Hyzon held the summit. Hyzon also took the opportunity to give those who attended the ability to drive a real-life Class 8 fuel cell truck, so that they could experience why hydrogen fuel cells are the best way to decarbonize the heavy-duty mobility sector.
Tim Lindsey Speaks to Attendees
During the event Dr. Jack Brouwer of UC Irvine (UCI) gave a keynote speech that was then followed by a panel discussion of various matters related to hydrogen and fuel cells. UCI is one of the most respected universities in the Western Hemisphere where hydrogen and fuel cells are concerned, and Dr. Brouwer is at the forefront of UCI’s hydrogen and fuel cell efforts. In his speech, Dr. Brouwer helped to educated people on a wide range of issues relating to hydrogen and fuel cells. He talked about how hydrogen leaks at the same rate as natural gas in normal low-pressure gas infrastructure, and he also mentioned that any home could be powered by hydrogen and fuel cells with the hydrogen that can be produced from 1.6 gallons of water. That 1.6 gallons of water could be obtained by essentially skipping one flush of the toilet each day. Perhaps Dr. Brouwer’s most inspiring remark was that hydrogen is the most “equity available energy source.”
Dr. Jack Brouwer Gives a 101 Intro to Hydrogen to Attendees
The panel touched on a number of common issues such as the safety of hydrogen, the need for tax credits to support hydrogen adoption, and the panel emphasized the importance of educating the public on hydrogen and fuel cells. The latter point is definitely one of the most valuable recurring messages in worthwhile hydrogen panels, because of its high relevance. For instance, your correspondent spoke with a manager from Ingredion and he was eager to find out how hydrogen fuel cells could be incorporated into Ingredion’s operations, which was the primary reason he came to the Hyzon summit. Even though Ingredion is a major organization it, along with many other firms small and large, are still trying to learn the basics of hydrogen and fuel cells. Hyzon is one of the very few firms in the U.S. that, thankfully, reaches out to the public and tries to create an educational dialogue, which helps both with educating the public as well as further establishing Hyzon’s leadership in the heavy-duty FCEV sector.
Left to right, Dr. Ted Krause (Argonne National Laboratory), Colleen Wright (Constellation), Richard Clark (BP), Dr. David Montgomery (Caterpillar), and Kristine Wiley (GTI)
Illinois State Senator Laura Ellman provided closing remarks for the event and she, too, is working on hydrogen education, because even among all levels of government in the United States hydrogen education is a necessity. Ms. Ellman mentioned in her speech that she is going to be in Wichita, Kansas this coming week, and she is going to host a breakfast for other members of government to help, in part, with hydrogen education.
Attendees Take Their Seats
Hyzon’s CEO Craig Knight provided a few words as well at the event, and he reiterated the fact that “Hyzon is all in on hydrogen,” and he provided another reminder that “hydrogen is the ultimate egalitarian fuel.” Those words certainly are encouraging for investors given how many firms globally are still internally debating whether to use batteries or fuel cells to decarbonize the heavy-duty mobility sector. From an investor standpoint such debates are unhelpful, because of the inherent uncertainty it creates of when BEV or FCEV products will actually reach the market let alone turn a profit. With Hyzon an investor has the surety that Hyzon management remains committed to the unwavering vision its CEO, Mr. Knight, has had since 2003 that fuel cells are the answer to decarbonization in the heavy-duty mobility sector.
State Senator Laura Ellman
With the first phase of construction completed at its Bolingbrook facility, Hyzon finds itself in a very unique position. It is now the only company in the United States that has the technical expertise with which to design fuel cells, and an actual working hydrogen fuel cell stack production facility to take designs from the drawing board and turn them into tangible products. Not only does this put it light years ahead of a firm like Nikola, it also creates another avenue of high-tech jobs in a part of the U.S. that largely lost out in the 20th century when it came to creating and retaining high-value jobs. While this move is risky given that Illinois and the eastern part of the U.S. do not have anything close to the infrastructure for hydrogen and fuel cells that California has, it does position Hyzon well from a mobility standpoint. As Mr. Knight pointed out at the event, one in every seven vehicles in the Chicago area is a heavy-duty truck.
With the ability to take bold risks, like being the first manufacturer of fuel cells and heavy-duty trucks in the United States, the fact that Hyzon has already put its trucks into customer hands around the world (including selling FCEVs to the largest steel producer on Earth), and its dedication to fuel cell system production for the heavy-duty mobility sector, Hyzon is definitely a worthwhile investment for investors and the most advanced heavy-duty mobility company in the United States. While Hyzon’s Midwest Hydrogen Summit may have been an eye-opener for some and others a reminder of Hyzon’s market-leading position, the best part is that the company is still just getting started. With a world economy in desperate need of decarbonization and hydrogen fuel cells being the most effective option available, Hyzon’s best days are all ahead of it for decades to come.
Jesse Lyon, Contributor
Read the most up to date Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Industry news at FuelCellsWorks
