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November 2024
The Hydrogen Workforce Summit at UT Austin recently showcased Texas’ leadership in hydrogen technology through a two-day event and a tour of the Center for Electromechanics’s Department of Energy-sponsored H2@Scale demonstration project, “Demonstration and Framework for H2@Scale in Texas and Beyond.” The project demonstrates hydrogen production that powers a computing center, a fleet of Toyota Mirais and drone operation.
By demonstrating the advances in hydrogen research and the technologies advancing work like the H2@Scale project, the summit highlighted the need for Workforce Education to establish these technologies in the workforce that will be developing and supporting them. The H2@Scale project is becoming a significant educational resource, providing a hands-on understanding of hydrogen technology among students, future technicians and engineers.
The H2@Scale project’s success is not limited to local impacts; it’s gaining international interest. Michael Lewis, the Center Director, shared that the project has opened global educational partnerships, with courses reaching audiences in Brazil, Portugal, and Tokyo. He emphasizes a collaborative approach, noting, “There are no winners or losers in alternative fuel, just more winners.” He reminds us that as clean energy technology advances, supporting infrastructure growth will benefit all stakeholders.
On October 15th, the EV Summit USA took place in Austin, bringing together EV experts including our own hometown speakers: including Phillip Martin, Manager of the Zero-Emission Truck Initiative for Texas with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Iga Hallberg, of Gage Zero, and Austin Energy’s Electric Vehicle team of Amy Atchey, Bobby Godsey, r; and Cameron Freberg, Manager.
A key conference focus was on the future of zero-emission trucks, with EDF hosting a session on state policies encouraging clean trucking. States, like Texas, are vital in enacting policies that advance zero-emission truck usage. Philip Martin shared the statistic of “ONE heavy-duty vehicle’s emissions is equivalent to that of 100 passenger vehicles, illustratingthat targeting heavy-duty vehicles will lead to greater and faster reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. Heavy-duty vehicle technologies are now starting to perform with a range that allows more fleets to begin to consider the transition to EV technologies, but can still come at a high cost to transition to EV technologies. Why can it work in Texas? Because our state has a strong incentive based focus through the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP). EDF has published “TERP and Trucks”, an analysis of the current state TERP program and suggestions for moving forward with their low-regulation, incentive-based goals for cleaner vehicles.
Central Texas Clean Cities, formerly known as the Lone Star Clean Fuel Alliance, invites you to celebrate 30 years of advancing clean and efficient transportation in Central Texas! Over the past three decades, our coalition has been dedicated to reducing our region’s emissions, improving air quality, and promoting sustainable practices that make a lasting impact.
Since our founding in 1994, we’ve partnered with municipalities, government agencies, businesses, and educational institutions to champion cleaner, greener transportation solutions. Together, we’ve supported the adoption of alternative fuels, advanced vehicle technologies, and sustainable fleet management practices. From the widespread use of electric vehicles to the integration of cleaner fuels like propane and natural gas, we’ve made significant strides toward a cleaner future.
We couldn’t have done this without the incredible support of our members, partners, and communities. Your commitment to sustainability and cleaner transportation fuels our success, and we are excited to continue working alongside you for the next 30 years!As we reflect on this milestone, we celebrate all we’ve accomplished together and look forward to what lies ahead. Let’s keep driving change, embracing innovation, and making Central Texas a leader in clean transportation. Here’s to another 30 years of partnership and progress!
Thank you for being a part of this journey!
CTXCC attended the MOVE: Re-Imagine USA conference in Austin, Camron Gorguinpour, a leader in clean transportation, and innovation summed up lessons learned about new product adoption and specifically the challenges of EV fleet adoption. His experience comes from roles in various organizations, including the U.S. Airforce as Director of Transformative Innovation, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Executive Director of the Plug-In Electric Vehicle Program. He stated that “commercial fleets are responsible for 10% of all U.S. emissions” as he identified three main challenges to the successful adoption of electric vehicles in fleets .
According to Gorguinpour, the first challenge is people—specifically, stakeholder engagement. Fleet electrification involves internal and external stakeholders like a utility or site landlord. Stakeholders must first determine if electrification is feasible, then address what needs to be done, and decide how to proceed. The second issue is the rapidly evolving EV technology. While advancements continually improve vehicle options and performance, each fleet has unique needs, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Fleet managers must navigate the complexities of available resources , funder requirements and technology needs to find the right fit for their operations.
Finally, Gorguinpour highlighted space for charging infrastructure as a major hurdle. Beyond the installation and technical barriers, there’s the issue of real estate. Many fleets operate on rented or limited space, and charging stations require clearance for maintenance and safety, which is often not considered.
Gorguinpour is optimistic that with proper planning, a growing body of experience and developments in vehicle and charging technology, the path to fleet electrification will become easier and more accessible for businesses across the U.S. His chart below illustrates his planning process.
Resource Based on Presentation by Camron Gorguinpour
Addressing Stakeholder Engagement is addressing the “people” problem of fleet electrification. Use the following resource to navigate the readiness of your fleet!
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A U.S. Department of Energy designated coalition in the Clean Cities and Communities partnership.