葫芦影

The Hydrogen Economy

With the energy industry going through dynamic transition, energy professionals 鈥 current and future 鈥 need to be informed and equipped to meet challenges of today and tomorrow. The Hydrogen Economy is an essential program that provides key insights about this key component of the evolving global energy system. Designed and presented by industry leaders and accomplished faculty from the 葫芦影业, the program offers a unique balance of industrial expertise and academic rigor.

The Hydrogen Economy is offered jointly by the 葫芦影业 and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Successful candidates will receive digital badges from UH Energy and certificates from AIChE for each of the three course modules.

Overview

Duration

Each badge takes 15 hours to complete over 3 weeks - 3 badges in total.

Format

To be determined

Price

$1,100 per badge 鈥 totaling $2,970.

$2,770 for AlChE Members and UH Alumni.

Deadline

Check back Fall 2025 for schedule updates

Why this Credential?

The energy transition is in progress, and the world is grappling with the energy trilemma: How can we supply energy that is affordable, secure and reliable, and environmentally responsible, for everyone? There is no single solution to this formidable challenge. But hydrogen is a key component of the most credible sustainable energy scenarios, with significant growth projected for the global energy system over the next 30 - 50 years.

Hydrogen is currently used heavily in the process industries, and it is seen as a significant future replacement option for the fossil fuels that are now used in power generation, transportation, and industry. However, most hydrogen today is produced from fossil energy sources. It will need to be decarbonized if it is to take its place as a dominant player in sustainable energy.

Our interactive, online educational program shares insights into the technology, economics, policy, and business drivers and barriers for hydrogen, both in the short term and in the long term. It examines hydrogen鈥檚 production, transportation, safety, use, and commercial opportunities, and considers both onshore and offshore applications. It also includes real time review meetings with instructors, and a capstone project to consolidate the learnings, to better equip students with skills, knowledge and expertise to thrive in the hydrogen economy.

Up to 10-fold growth in hydrogen demand is projected if adopted as an energy vector to decarbonize heavy duty transportation and other difficult-to-decarbonize industry sectors.  
 

After successfully completing this program, participants will be able to understand:

  • Key characteristics and drivers for hydrogen as the decarbonization fuel of choice
  • Fundamentals for the existing hydrogen market, and how it is poised to change
  • Policy and strategy: Critical factors in building The Hydrogen Economy
  • Hydrogen as a means for transporting and storing renewable energy
  • Current and emerging options for producing hydrogen, including offshore options
  • Basics of hydrogen safety
  • Technical options for storing and transporting hydrogen, including decision factors
  • Fuel cells and their roles in transportation, in the electric grid, and in domestic and commercial power supply
  • Hydrogen fueled vehicles 鈥 from forklifts, trains and ships to aircraft
  • Hydrogen as a fuel to decarbonize industry
  • Trade-offs for use of hydrogen vs. electrification vs. advanced renewable hydrocarbon fuels as vectors for decarbonization

Who Should Enroll?

The Hydrogen Economy Program caters to two distinct groups:

  • Industry Professionals: Those already in the energy industries are seeing significant changes almost daily. The Hydrogen Economy Program provides new information, new insights, and new skills for professionals to help them manage new demands and be a valuable part of the energy transition.
  • For Future Energy Professionals: This program is ideal for students preparing themselves for a successful energy career and professional life. The Hydrogen Economy Program provides a unique perspective and skillset, giving students a competitive edge, understanding, and competence as they enter the energy marketplace.

Curriculum

This micro-credentialing program delivers a multi-disciplinary understanding of challenges and solutions involved in developing a viable hydrogen economy. It is taught by world-class instructors, including leaders from industry and the marketplace and accomplished faculty from the 葫芦影业, the Energy University, in the Energy Capital of the World. The Hydrogen Economy is a part of UH Energy's Sustainable Energy Development portfolio.

The program is offered in 15-hour modules, each module taking place over a three-week period. This program provides a deeper look at hydrogen 鈥 one of the most promising vehicles for decarbonizing the global energy system. The three badges explore:

  • Badge 1: Hydrogen Production
  • Badge 2: Hydrogen Transportation, Safety and Use
  • Badge 3: Commercial Opportunity for Hydrogen

A capstone project is included, to consolidate the multidisciplinary learnings of this exciting new program.
 

What You Will Earn

Digital badges are awarded for each module, and a set of three badges earns a 鈥淪ilver Belt鈥 from UH Energy. Successful students will also receive a certificate of completion from AIChE. The badges and belts provide a permanent record, endorsed by UH Energy and the 葫芦影业, that can be made a part of your resume to credential your new skills.

Instructors

Greg Bean

Executive Director of the Gutierrez Energy Management Institute, Bauer College of Business, 葫芦影业

 Dr. Birol Dindoruk

American Association of Drilling Engineers Endowed Professor, 葫芦影业

Dr. Ramanan Krishnamoorti

Vice President of Energy and Innovation, 葫芦影业

Charles McConnell

Executive Director, Center for Carbon Management in Energy, 葫芦影业

Dr. Ram Seetharam

Energy Center Officer, Hydrogen Program Lead, 葫芦影业

Dr. Joe Powell

Founding Executive Director, Energy Transition Institute, 葫芦影业

Nigel Jenvey

Vice President of Energy Transition Project Development at Baker Hughes

Andy Steinhubl

Chairman of the Board, Center for Houston鈥檚 Future (CFH)

Brian Maxwell

Founder and CEO, Green Hydrogen International

Tim Cortes

Chief Technology Officer, Plug

Dr. Olga Marina

Leader, High Temperature Steam Electrolysis

Dr. Katherine (Kathy) Ayers

Vice President of R&D, Nel Hydrogen US

Paul Munsterman

Director of Business Development, Large Projects at Linde

The Hydrogen Economy Information Session

Recent Program Capstone Project Highlights

The Hydrogen Economy Program experience culminates with a capstone project. The project is based on developing and defending a business plan for a clean hydrogen start-up venture, demonstrating knowledge of the principles taught in the course. This is augmented by additional independent research related to the specific type of business model, technology deployment, and location chosen. Students can either work individually or form teams to evaluate their ideas, and then present them to the class and the panel of judges (aka the shark tank). Past cohorts have shared some wonderful ideas and creative presentations, and the whole activity was great fun. Below are summaries of the winning projects.

Fall 2024

Extended Range Aerial Sensing with Hydrogen Powered Drones

Team: Mohamad Elsayed, Jenni Rogers, Amir Eskafyan, Saiyid Kamal, Sada Iyer

H2 Production from Wastewater Treatment Plants

Team: Alberto Barud, Andres Dillon, Ozum Ozasaygili, Emo Obadiah

Hydrogen Hub Alberta for Green Future

Team: Smita Sangale, Shawna Yang, Billy Newby

 

Spring 2024

Business Roadmap for Utilizing Hydrogen in Houston

Team: Cody Johnson, Sabine Brueske, Saalya Rickhi, and Thien Nguyendo

HyPower Data Centers

Team: Meaghan Anderson, Ruben Caparros, Dillon Frost, Priyanka Singh, Hena Venugopal, Jason Wray

SOEC at Scale

Team: John Baily and Dan Czubik

Fall 2023

H2 Production - A Safe and Reliable Solution for Las Vegas

Team: Noel Skwiot, Mary Edwards, Lynn Lyon, Monica Davis, Jerson Wattie, and Katherine Aliste

Clean Midwest - Hydrogen at O鈥橦are Airport

Team: Betsy Cole, Jesse Johnson, Mitesh Joshi, Shannon McAvoy

Coastal Corsairs Summary

Team: Amy Warren, Xinlei (LeiLei) Li, Rick Cunningham

Leveraging Green Hydrogen Opportunities At Standing Rock

Team: Adam Rose, Audrey Hooper, Christopher Brooks, Shuyun Li

 

Spring 2023

Green Ammonia Refueling Stations along Major Shipping Routes

Team: Marc Schneider, May 2023

H2 Airport Hub

Team: Richard Henahan, Peter Diakow, Lloyd Rude, Gregory Bohn

Integrated Energy Systems for Nuclear Produced Hydrogen

Team: Nu-H2, Mike Curtis and Mikaela Dressendorfer, May 2023

Slush H 2 for long-distance shipping

Team: Miguel Gonzalez, Vijay Ramakrishnan

Fall 2022

Hydrogen use for mining applications 1st Place

Team: H2Mining (Anna Gretchina & Rob Haun)

H 2Singa Hydrogen Valley Jurong Island Singapore

3rd Place

Team: Shivaprakash C Rao, Head of Consulting and Energy Transition, BMT Asia Pacific

Design of clean steel with Hydrogen

Team: Joao B. S. Gonzaga, Sr. Director of engineering, Gerdau Steel

Spring 2022

Biogas to Hydrogen for Asphalt Heat 1st Place

Team: Ryan Davis, CJ Okafor, and Ozgur Ozen

H2arvest

1st Place (tie)

Team:  Brian Peterson

Hydrogen-Powered Vessels for Offshore Wind Service

Team: James Abrams, Gareth Burton, Joseph Rousseau, Derek Schmidt

Summer 2021

H2 Urban Data Centers 1st Place

Team: Graham Jones, Carlos Rojas, Chris Smithson, Catherine Sotelo

Centralized Clean H2 Production in Texas

2nd Place (tie)

Team: Aaron Totemeier, Ali Oktay, Ricardo Chona

Solid Oxide Reactor System

2nd Place (tie)

Team: Fritz Pierre

A Vision for a Houston Low-Carbon Hydrogen Hub

Honorable Metion

Team: Kay McCall, Brett Perlman, Dana Wells

Testimonials

Ricardo Chona -  Business Development Manager

"Excellent program from UH, outstanding instructors and guest speakers. "

Kay McCall - Board member and advisor

"Thank you to UH Energy for presenting the Hydrogen Economy program for those of us wanting more than a superficial view of the potential role of hydrogen in the energy transition. "

Ram Seetharam 鈥 Energy Center Officer & Hydrogen Lead at Univ of Houston

"Completed Badge 1 on Hydrogen Production - highly recommend this micro-credential course at UH Energy."

Daniela Ismail, EIT, MBA 鈥 Zero Emission Business Development Manager/Women in Hydrogen 50

"I'm so happy to have completed the Hydrogen Economy Silver Belt Program at the University of Houston."

 

Frequently Asked Questions

You can register for the program by visiting the registration link and completing the application form. The registration link will be available once course enrollment opens 
We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and electronic payments. If you require alternative payment options, please reach out to our business office. 
Courses are offered online, in-person, or hybrid formats, depending on the specific course, allowing students to engage with course materials through live lectures, pre-recorded modules, interactive discussions, or hands-on projects. 
Yes. Assessments are required to successfully complete the program and earn your micro-credential. Details on grading criteria and passing scores will be provided at the start of the course.  
Depending on the program structure, you may have access to recorded sessions or alternative assignments. Please review the attendance policy or contact your instructor for specific arrangements. 
Refunds are not available if you withdraw from the course.