Blog | Introducing Catalyst H2: The Premier Green Hydrogen Stakeholder Convening
By Janice Lin
The best part about my job is that I get to interact and work with visionary leaders who individually and collectively are architecting our green hydrogen (H2) ecosystem and making change happen in an outsized way. These visionary leaders exist in government, industry, and the local community — they are the ones who are changing the course of history for the better.
Enter Catalyst H2. We are creating the premier market-making event that focuses on the game-changing potential of H2 to accelerate a clean and just energy transition — and the practical steps that we must take to realize progress and co-create the needed market, technology, and infrastructure solutions. Catalyst H2 will elevate the champions of this emerging clean and just energy transition, create a bridge across the uniquely diverse hydrogen ecosystem, and help establish areas for collaboration in the policy and infrastructure arenas between previously siloed industries to achieve multi-sectoral decarbonization and combat climate change.
The Green Hydrogen Transformation
Bringing these historic changemakers together is exciting on so many levels. First, I am so energized by what each of these amazing leaders is accomplishing. For example, when I started my GH2 journey, I assumed that we would only be able to tackle decarbonizing aviation by 2040 or even 2050 – what I have learned is that that is happening now! Second, bringing such a diverse group of changemakers together can only mean that progress will happen faster. I have been both amazed and deeply inspired by the collaboration and catalytic effects of the Green Hydrogen Coalition’s regional hub work to-date. Expanding the learning and collaboration both within the ecosystem and geographically, and extending this work beyond regional and state boundaries, is what the GHC is all about: Building momentum to accelerate our green hydrogen economy. Given this, I’m excited about the national and international perspectives that will be shared, and I am really looking forward to spending some quality time with these leaders at Catalyst H2.
I’m also super excited about our location – Long Beach, California – an excellent location to see in person commercial innovation underway today. The convening we are putting together epitomizes one of my favorite quotes, by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Witnessing Commercial Hydrogen Projects In-Person
There truly is no substitute for seeing transformation change happening in the field, firsthand. That’s why we decided to site our first edition of Catalyst H2 in Long Beach, adjacent to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Long Beach is a fantastic location to see innovative commercial H2 projects on location, and through our curated Catalyst H2 site tours – one at Fenix Marine Services, the second largest terminal operator in the combined Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and our second tour of World Energy’s sustainable aviation fuel production facility in Paramount. At Fenix, visitors can experience how fuel cells are replacing diesel top handlers and other port operations equipment and experience firsthand the scale and scope of what is possible with H2 at one of our nation’s largest and busiest ports. These tours will bring to life how real these H2 solutions are and how quickly they are becoming available.
Thanks too to the hundreds of policy makers, industry leaders, utilities, regulators, investors, suppliers, distributors, and off-takers, as well as non-governmental organizations and community leaders representing environmental justice and environmental groups, tribal communities, and organized labor coming to Catalyst H2. Stay tuned as we continue to release new event details, and don’t wait to grab your ticket — they are going fast!
Emerging Update Regarding the Inflation Reduction Act
A quick note in closing on the contents of the recently proposed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The GHC is pleased to see hydrogen included in the IRA, and we believe a production tax credit will help drive the market for green and clean hydrogen. While there is still much discussion and debate ahead for this legislation, we are hopeful that the IRA marks a key milestone for the advancement of GH2 to decarbonize our power and fuel supply and create new pathways for economic development.
I keep saying — and I continue to truly believe — that the best is yet to come! See you in Long Beach!