Distinguished Lecture Series in Energy: Dr. Michael Kerby

Dr. Michael Kerby, a Senior Advisor for Corporate Strategic Planning at ExxonMobil, presents “Harnessing Hydrogen: A Key Element of the U.S. Energy Future” as a part of the Distinguished Lecture Series in Energy on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Abstract
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If deployed at-scale, low carbon intensity (LCI) hydrogen technology applications in the hard-to-abate sectors can support achieving U.S. carbon emissions reduction ambitions at a lower cost to society.

At the request of the Secretary of Energy, the National Petroleum Council (NPC) conducted a comprehensive study on the deployment of LCI hydrogen at-scale in the U.S. to support decarbonization of various energy and industrial market sectors across the entire value chain, including production, storage, transportation, and end uses. This study’s report, Harnessing Hydrogen: A Key Element of the U.S. Energy Future, evaluates the key economic, policy, regulatory, technical, and public acceptance challenges and critical enablers along the hydrogen value chain that must be addressed to achieve at-scale LCI hydrogen deployment.

This study leveraged scenario-based modeling, partnering with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Energy Initiative. The study generated unique insights due to the diverse perspectives of the study participants, many of whom have practical experience executing large-scale projects, informing the technoeconomic and life cycle assessment models.

The NPC assembled a diverse team to conduct this study. The study participants were drawn from NPC members’ organizations as well as from many other industries, federal and state agencies, environmental and other NGOs, other public-interest groups, financial institutions, consultancies, academia, and research groups. Approximately 300 people from 100 organizations served on the study’s committee, subcommittee, task groups, and subgroups. While all have relevant expertise for the study, only about 33 percent are from the oil and natural gas industry. This broad participation was an integral part of the study with the goal range of interested parties.