Harnessing Hydrogen: A Key Element of the U.S. Energy Future
The Texas A&M Energy Institute’s Distinguished Lecture Series in Energy will feature Dr. Michael Kerby, a Senior Advisor for Corporate Strategic Planning at ExxonMobil, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CDT (UTC -5:00) in the Frederick E. Giesecke Engineering Research Building (GERB) Third Floor Conference Room and through a Zoom Meeting. The topic will be “Harnessing Hydrogen: A Key Element of the U.S. Energy Future.”
Abstract
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.
Biography
After completing a Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin and a postdoc at the University of California, Berkeley, Mike joined ExxonMobil in 1989. Mike has held senior leadership roles supporting refining, chemicals, and lubricants as well as managing ExxonMobil’s longer-range research activities in support of the energy transition. Prior executive roles include Global Polymer Technology Manager, Corporate Strategic Research Manager, and Vice President for Lubricants Technology. In his current role as Senior Advisor, Mike supports the corporation to achieve its decarbonization goals.
Mike is a past recipient of the American Chemical Society’s Heroes of Chemistry Award for commercializing technology to produce cleaner diesel fuels. Mike holds more than 35 U.S. patents and has served on the National Academies Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology, the Chemical Heritage Foundation, the Texas Bioenergy Policy Council, and currently on the External Advisory Board for Texas A&M’s Energy Institute. Mike recently participated on a National Petroleum Council study focused on the deployment of hydrogen in the U.S.
Mike and his wife, Jill, have three children, Lauren, Michael (A&M grad), and Claire. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, outdoor cooking, and traveling with the family.