James Cook

Inkbit announced the closing of a $19 million financing round, led by Ingersoll Rand, to advance its multi-material additive manufacturing process, VCJ. In addition to funding from Ingersoll Rand, companies including Future Labs Capital, GC Ventures America, iGlobe Partners, Ocado, Phoenix Venture Partners, Stratasys, Zeon Venture, and others helped to finance Inkbit’s process.

“From the moment we met with the Inkbit team and saw its novel Vision-Controlled Jetting technology, we wanted to be part of the journey to drive commercialization and adoption across life science and industrial applications,” said Vicente Reynal, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ingersoll Rand. “Together, we can transform how the industry thinks about component manufacturing and accelerate innovation.”

VCJ is a multi-material manufacturing system that scales from prototyping to production on a single platform and utilizes advanced computation, chemistry, and process control to enable the rapid manufacturing of products, including complex industrial fluidics and bio-inspired robots. The VCJ system was initially developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, and combines the scalability, reliability, and throughput of a traditional assembly line with the flexibility and intelligence of 3D machine vision-based feedback control.

Vision-Controlled Jetting; Image Credits: Inkbit

The system builds parts layer-by-layer on a platform that moves under several stations, each of which performs specific functions such as material jetting, UV curing, inspection, cooling, and more. It departs from the original assembly line by building multi-functional products in a single pass from raw materials. Inkbit’s VCJ can be applied in fields like robotics, healthcare, mobility, industrial automation, and defense.

“This new partnership with Ingersoll Rand marks a key milestone in the history of our company. We are evolving from an equipment provider to partnering with manufacturers to develop new materials and processes to enable the acceleration and simplification of product innovation,” said Davide Marini, Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer at Inkbit. “For me personally, and for our team at Inkbit, being able to learn from and be inspired by iconic names in American manufacturing is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I look forward to building on this tradition of technical ingenuity and operational excellence. Together, we will create the factories of the future.”

Ingersoll Rand also acquired two companies

 for an all-cash purchase of $26 million. The company absorbed Oxywise s.r.o. and Fraserwoods Fabrication and Machining Ltd. to expand an existing portfolio of air compression technology and technical support capabilities. Oxywise and Fraserwoods will be a part of Ingersoll Rand’s Industrial Technologies and Services (IT&S) division.

Oxywise is a Slovakia-based company that develops air treatment solutions with onsite oxygen and nitrogen generators, both of which utilize pressure swing adsorption technology, cylinder filling systems, containerized systems, and gas control solutions. Ingersoll Rand will incorporate this gas distribution technology into its air compression equipment.

Fraserwoods specializes in services, repair and return, and remanufacturing of blowers and pumps for larger OEMs in the vacuum truck industry. Ingersoll Rand will bring on the 13 employees from Fraserwoods for technical support, service capabilities, and aftermarket repair specialty in western Canada.

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Ingersoll Rand and a consortium of partners provided $19 million in financing to accelerate Inkbit’s multi-functional additive manufacturing system, Vision-Controlled Jetting (VCJ). 

Ingersoll Rand Closes on $19M Funding Round for Inkbit’s Vision-Controlled Jetting System

Air Products’ AP-DMR process and equipment, which was deployed at the Coral South floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) plant in Mozambique, Africa, passed its performance test and achieved LNG production above 3.4 million tons per year.

“Having been selected to participate in this landmark project is a significant achievement and the first project to leverage our very efficient AP-DMR LNG process,” said Dr. John Palamara, General Manager – LNG at Air Products. “Our supplied equipment having successfully completed performance testing is the direct result of the expertise and experience of our team, from all areas of the LNG business, working in close collaboration and in support of TP JGC Coral France (the EPC joint venture of Technip Energies France SAS and JGC Corporation) executing the project and Coral FLNG S.A.”

The dual-mixed refrigerant LNG process maintains a high efficiency, reliable operation, and has a compact footprint. Its process efficiency, in combination with aeroderivative machinery, lowers the carbon intensity in comparison to other LNG processes in floating applications.

Coral South FLNG represents the country’s first LNG project in operation and the first deep-water FLNG project for all of Africa. Air Products previously participated in this project in 2013 with conceptual work, which allowed for the recent selection and implementation of its AP-DMR LNG process technology and equipment. In terms of supplied equipment, the company provided two coil-wound main cryogenic heat exchangers (CWHEs)—one for precooling and one for liquefaction.

Coral South FLNG in Mozambique; Image Credits: Air Products 

These CWHEs were fabricated and assembled at Air Products’ LNG equipment manufacturing facility in Port Manatee, FL. The company also provided technical advisory services for the installation, commissioning, start-up, and performance testing of its AP-DMR process. Its LNG process will also be installed for Energia Costa Azul LNG’s land-based project under construction in Mexico. Air Products’ LNG liquefaction technology and equipment is installed on major deep-water, offshore FLNG projects in addition to Coral South, such as Shell Prelude, Petronas FLNG Satu, and Petronas FLNG Dua.

In May 2023, Air Products inked an investment agreement worth $1 billion with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Uzbekneftegaz JSC (UNG) to purchase, own, and operate a 

natural gas-to-syngas processing facility

 in Uzbekistan's Qashqadaryo Province. The plant produces 1.5 million tons annually of high-value synthetic fuels for domestic consumption and possible export.

The acquisition agreement, in line with Air Products' focus on on-site business operations, allows the company to acquire and run two large-scale air separation units, two large-scale auto-thermal reforming units, and a hydrogen production unit within the Uzbek GTL complex. These facilities will supply oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and syngas to UNG under a long-term, take-or-pay/fixed fee agreement. UNG will provide the feedstock natural gas and utilities and will take on all products.

The company also won several NASA supply contracts totaling over $130 million to provide 

liquid hydrogen to various NASA locations

, including Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and other facilities. Liquid hydrogen is used by NASA as fuel in cryogenic rocket engines, combined with liquid oxygen, with hydrogen's unique properties supporting aeronautics development.

The dual-mixed refrigerant LNG process technology, AP-DMR, achieved LNG production above 3.4 mtpa.

Air Products’ Refrigerant LNG Process Tech Passes Performance Test

GE Vernova received an order from TVA for 16 aeroderivative LM6000VELOX packages, each containing an LM6000 gas turbine and a generator, for installation at the Kingston Energy Complex on the Clinch River. The packages are expected to supply up to 850 MW of electricity, enhancing energy grid reliability and granting TVA’s consumers continuous access to affordable power.

“The Kingston Energy Complex highlights the way diverse generation works together to ensure TVA can provide more reliable, resilient and affordable power,” said TVA Chief Operating Officer Don Moul. “These aeroderivative units will help us meet demand during peak energy usage and supplement solar generation on days when sunshine is limited.”

Aerial rendering of Kingston Energy Complex; Image Credits: TVA

The LM6000VELOX units are slated to begin operation in 2028 and include dual-fuel capability to run on natural gas or liquid fuels when required. The dry low emissions (DLE) combustor configuration can meet emissions limits in compliance with the regional air district requirements and avoids water consumption for NOx emissions abatement. LM6000 gas turbines also have a quick start-up time, taking only five minutes to reach full power, and a high cyclic life to complement intermittent power from renewable sources. Its operational flexibility helps to stabilize the grid and reduce the risk of electricity supply shortages.

“This milestone project marks GE Vernova’s commitment to supporting TVA’s efforts to ensure affordability and reliability of electricity while focusing on more efficient and sustainable energy generation," said Dave Ross, President of GE Vernova’s Gas Power in the Americas region. “TVA is actively integrating more renewables into the system, investing in new technologies, and retiring older, less efficient generation and they are doing this in a holistic way that helps to ensure affordability, reliability, and resiliency for their 10 million customers.”

GE Vernova’s LM6000VELOX package includes features to reduce site construction time for power generation utilities, EPCs, and additional industry stakeholders. The package can be quickly installed in a simple cycle configuration, reducing the commissioning schedule and associated costs. LM6000 gas turbines offer more than 99% start and operational reliability and over 98% availability.

The package was first announced in October 2023 and GE Vernova completed the initial installation in November at TVA’s 

. The LM6000VELOX package will reduce the installation and commissioning schedule of LM6000 gas turbines by up to 40%, eliminating up to 4,000 labor hours and minimizing installation cost and duration.

“This technology will be a first for TVA’s fleet of natural gas plants,” said Justin McBath, Sr. Project Manager of the Johnsonville aeroderivative combustion turbine plant project. “We have received 6 of the 10 total units that will be operating at Johnsonville, with final delivery expected in December 2023. These units will help us quickly meet demand during peak energy usage and will supplement solar generation on days when sunshine is limited.”

GE Vernova developed the LM6000VELOX package at its manufacturing center in Veresegyház, Hungary, adopting simplicity and speed of installation from the company’s previous LM2500XPRESS package. The unit has a modular mounted air filter with a simplified structure, as well as a base mounted generator and gearbox to reduce foundation labor. The number of unit accessories has been reduced by 50% upon shipment.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) will use the aeroderivative gas turbine and generator packages to supply an additional 850 MW of electricity for its Kingston Energy Complex. 

GE Vernova to Supply 16 LM6000VELOX Packages for Kingston Energy Complex

ExxonMobil Corp. finalized its merger acquisition of PNR, adding to the company’s significant development potential in the Permian basin. Following the acquisition, the merged company owns more than 1.4 million net acres in the Delaware and Midland basins with approximately 16 billion barrels of oil equivalent resources.

“This premier, tier-one asset is a natural fit for our Permian portfolio and gives us a greater opportunity to deploy our technology and deliver operating and capital efficiency for long-term shareholder value,” ExxonMobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods said. “The combination of our two companies benefits this country’s energy security and economy, and also furthers society’s environmental ambitions as we move Pioneer’s 2050 net zero goal to a 2035 plan.”

Based on 2023 volumes, ExxonMobil’s production in the Permian basin will more than double to 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day (MOEBD). Based on initial estimates, it is expected to increase to approximately 2 MOEBD in 2027. The merger combines PNR’s differentiated Permian inventory and basin experience with ExxonMobil’s technologies, financial resources, and project execution. These combined aspects are expected to produce double-digit returns through efficient, increased resource recovery with a lower environmental impact.

Rigs in the Permian Basin; Image Credits: ExxonMobil

In its Permian unconventional operations, ExxonMobil plans to reach net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. The company will utilize its Permian GHG reduction plans to advance PNR’s Scope 1 and 2 net-zero emissions goal by 15 years. It will also apply technologies for monitoring, measuring, and addressing fugitive methane to decrease the merged companies’ emissions. Combined operating capabilities and infrastructure may allow ExxonMobil to increase the amount of recycled water used in Permian fracturing operations to more than 90% by 2030.

 for $4.9 billion. As a result of the purchase, ExxonMobil added more than 1,300 miles of pipeline, including approximately 925 miles of CO

 pipelines in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. In addition, the company has access to more than 15 onshore CO

“This transaction is a major step forward in the profitable growth of our low carbon solutions business,” said Woods. “Our expertise, combined with Denbury’s CO

 pipeline network, expands our low-carbon leadership and positions us to meet the decarbonization needs of industrial customers while also reducing emissions in our own operations.”

The acquisition includes oil and natural gas operations located along the Gulf Coast and in the Rocky Mountains. These operations have reserves totaling more than 200 million barrels of oil equivalent and approximately 46,000 oil-equivalent barrels per day of production, as of year-end 2022.

In November 2023, ExxonMobil began production at the 

 in Guyana’s Stabroek Block. The company’s floating production, storage, and offloading vessel, called the Prosperity, is slated to reach an initial production of approximately 220,000 barrels per day as the wells become operational during the first half of 2024. The Prosperity’s additional capacity will contribute towards a goal of reaching a combined production capacity of more than 1.2 million barrels per day on the Stabroek Block by the end of 2027.

The purchase of Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (PNR) will more than double ExxonMobil’s production volume in the Permian Basin to 1.3 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. 

ExxonMobil Acquires Pioneer Natural Resources, Doubles Permian Footprint

To support its goal to reduce its shipping fleet’s carbon intensity by 25% by 2030, Trafigura signed a contract to receive four ammonia-capable medium gas carriers (MGCs) from the HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan, South Korea, each outfitted a dual-fuel low-carbon ammonia engine. The first MGC will be delivered to Trafigura in 2027 and carry LPG or ammonia.

“We are excited to embark together with HD Hyundai Mipo on this ambitious project which supports our commitments to decarbonizing shipping and will help us to develop the global low-carbon ammonia bunkering infrastructure needed for zero-carbon shipping to become a reality,” said Andrea Olivi, Head of Wet Freight for Trafigura.

The company has tested a wide range of alternative shipping fuels such as LNG, methanol, LPG, and biofuels on owned and chartered vessels. Trafigura co-sponsored MAN Energy Solutions’ development of a green ammonia two-stroke engine and is also investing in on-board carbon emissions capture technology. In addition to these investments, the company is also funding efficiency measures including silicone hull coatings, wake equalizing ducts, ultrasonic propeller antifouling technology, continuous underwater hull cleaning, and propeller polishing.

A partner of Trafigura in the ammonia propulsion market, MAN Energy developed a two-stroke ammonia solution for marine vessels—the 

. A joint venture comprised of K Line, NS United, and the Itochu Corp. will explore the use of MAN Energy’s 60-bore ammonia engine in a bulk carrier new build. Imabari Shipbuilding will install an SCR-connected 7S60ME-ammonia engine for the joint venture’s 200,000 dwt-class bulk carrier.

“MAN Energy Solutions has developed this engine since 2019 with over 100,000 man-hours recorded in that time. This first MAN B&W ammonia engine is a 60-bore type, which is applicable to a broad range of vessel segments,” said Thomas S. Hansen, Head of Sales and Promotion, MAN Energy Solutions. “We believe that the success of ammonia as a marine fuel strongly relies on a safe introduction to the market. We will therefore monitor several engines entering operation at sea to ensure that the engine design and functionality of the auxiliary systems meet our expectations before the engine is formally introduced to our marine-engine program as part of a full sales release.”

The ammonia-powered engine is currently under development in Denmark, and this deal represents one of the first projects for the product. MITSUI E&S will assemble the ammonia engine in Japan.

 catalytic converter for customer and licensee, MITSUI E&S. It is ammonia-ready, and the company’s largest SCR unit built to date. With a diameter of 3,900 mm and a total weight of 28 metric tons, the Cluster 5 Double Layer will be ready for series production soon. A final inspection from MAN Energy and MITSUI confirmed the quality of the product prior to its initial delivery and, after a successful water-pressure test, the SCR was shipped from Dalian, China to Tamano, Japan.

The vessels will be equipped with dual-fuel low-carbon ammonia engines and built at HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea. 

Trafigura Orders 4 Dual-Fuel Ammonia Medium Gas Carriers

Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd. (HPL) awarded a contract to Lummus Technology to install its O3S digital services, as well as provide its training and knowledge transfer services, for HPL’s ethylene plant in West Bengal, India. This award represents the first O3S installation in India, building on a previously awarded contract for the license and basic engineering of the same unit.

O3S is part of Lummus Technology’s portfolio of training and digitalization services for licensees. Operational teams can run the plant in a safer, more productive manner through hands-on opportunities to simulate plant operation, which can lead to increased performance, higher efficiency, and reduced waste.

“For more than two decades, we have collaborated with HPL and provided them with best-in-class process technologies,” said Ujjal Mukherjee, Chief Technology Officer, Lummus Technology. “This latest award showcases our integrated offering where we provide technologies and other solutions throughout the life cycle of a plant. HPL will be able to leverage Lummus’ proprietary know-how, process expertise, and digital solutions to enhance the plant for peak performance and optimize OPEX.”

Ethylene plant in West Bengal, India; Image Credits: Haldia Petrochemicals

Late last year, Lummus Technology signed a strategic supply agreement to design, manufacture, and 

 (HXR) for NET Power’s near-zero emissions power generation process. HXRs recover energy from the turboexpander exhaust and air separation unit to reheat recirculated CO

"Lummus is proud to partner with NET Power, which has developed a way to efficiently and effectively produce electricity that is clean and economical," said Leon de Bruyn, President and CEO, Lummus Technology. "The NET Power cycle system combines seamlessly with our advanced heat exchanger technology to minimize energy consumption and carbon emissions. We look forward to working with NET Power to deliver low carbon power and help them expand their offering to consumers around the world."

Contracted as the licensed NET Power heat exchanger supplier, Lummus will provide HXR systems for the company’s utility-scale power plants. Upon completion of the front-end engineering design (FEED) for Project Permian, NET Power will issue a purchase order with Lummus for a utility-scale power plant in Texas. According to the agreement, Lummus will use its global supply chain network to boost the global HXR manufacturing capacity, allowing NET Power to deploy the technology at a large scale.

The company also announced the commencement of a 

 with Biohydrogen Technologies to design and develop gas reactor technology that will be primarily used to produce blue hydrogen. A provider of process technologies and energy solutions, Lummus’s Green Circle business unit will spearhead the gas plant design, reactor design, and proprietary equipment supply.

This technology will allow for the large-scale production of blue hydrogen. Lummus’ energy solutions offer high thermal efficiency, low capital cost, a small footprint, and the ability to contain more than 99% CO

"The combination of Biohydrogen Technologies Intellectual Property and Green Circle/Lummus Technology skills in design, engineering, and licensing will shortly allow bulk hydrogen production from natural gas with a thermal efficiency of 90% (LCV) and 99% CO

 capture to become a practical reality," said Geoff Weedon, CEO of Biohydrogen Technologies.

Lummus will provide its O3S digitalization services to enhance operations and plant performance for Haldia Petrochemical’s ethylene plant in West Bengal.

Lummus Technology Receives Contract for O3S Digital Services in India

Hitachi Energy is accelerating its global transformer manufacturing capacity to fulfill long-term electrification plans and demands with an investment of more than $100 million toward upgrades and modernizations for a power transformer factory in Varennes and additional facilities in Montreal. Through Investissement Quebec, a portion of the Montreal-based funding is provided by the Government of Quebec.

The Varennes factory is Hitachi Energy’s top manufacturing location for large-scale power transformers in North America, assisting both regional and national power grids and serving utility-scale renewable energy projects. With the funding, a new transformer testing facility will be built onsite to meet Quebec’s increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions. At a planned 130,000 square feet, the facility will support certification for power transformers manufactured in the Varennes factory. The testing location is slated for completion by the end of 2027.

“Globally, demand for transformers and electrical equipment continues to grow at an unprecedented scale,” said Bruno Melles, Business Unit Transformers, Managing Director at Hitachi Energy. “At Hitachi Energy we are continuously developing our global footprint and capacity to address our customers’ mid- and long-term needs. In addition to our global investments, the support of the Quebec Government will help to address North America’s rising demand for transformers to support fast-growing sectors like renewable energy, data centers, and industrial electrification, as Quebec strengthens its role as a key player in the energy transition.”

The current Varennes factory has been in operation since 1971, covers more than 300,000 square feet, and employs approximately 330 people. It designs and engineers a range of transformers, including large power step-up transformers, high-voltage auto-transformers, shunt reactors, and transformers for static compensators and high-voltage direct current transmission systems. The factory has a manufacturing capacity ranging from 100-1,200 megavolt-amperes and its operating voltage climbs as high as 800 kV.

Transformer factory in Quebec; Image Credits: Hitachi Energy

Transformers are a primary asset for a multitude of applications across the power value chain for transmission and electricity distribution. These applications include renewables integration, grid interconnections, powering data centers, and electrifying transportation.

Hitachi Energy was recently contracted by 

 to design and install a power quality solution to enhance the flow of renewable energy from Scotland to England and stabilize the grid. SP Energy Networks’ substation in Eccles, United Kingdom is equipped with two sets of an SVC Light STATCOM and a synchronous condenser controlled by the MACH control system connected at a common central node.

“The innovative power quality solution will increase the transfer capacity between Scotland and England by up to 280 MW by improving the transmission network’s strength and stability as more renewable generation is connected in Scotland,” said Billy Moore, Senior Project Manager at SP Energy Networks. “The criticality of technology such as this will become more important as we reduce the usage of fossil fuels.”

The STATCOM installations use Hitachi Energy’s power electronics and the MACH control and protection solution to provide system strength, instant voltage control, and maximum power flow. The SVC Light STATCOM and synchronous condenser with combined control generate or absorb reactive power to manage the grid voltage and maintain system stability and resilience. A MACH Control System uses computers, micro-controllers, and digital signal processors to act as the control center for the SVC Light.

The investment, partly funded by the Government of Quebec, will upgrade and modernize a power transformer factory and other facilities in Quebec, Canada.  

Hitachi Energy Invests $100M in Power Transformer Facilities in Varennes, Montreal

GE Vernova released a cloud-based computer vision software called Autonomous Inspection. The program is designed to automate the monitoring of industrial assets and manual inspection processes through image capture devices and AI/ML algorithms. It integrates visual data and additional insights for select programs within GE Vernova’s Asset Performance Management (APM) software suite—APM helps asset performance and operations and maintenance efficiency for equipment, plants, and entire fleets.

"In the energy industry, computer vision is not just about seeing, it’s about foresight. Autonomous Inspection is the eyes of our APM suite and is powered by AI technology that turns images into rich data that can help power insights to transform how we safeguard, optimize, and propel the future of energy," said Linda Rae, General Manager of GE Vernova’s Power & Energy Resources Software business. “Digitalizing operations has helped customers in quality, safety, and performance improvements, as well as emission management.”

Thermal images from Autonomous Inspection; Image Credits: GE Vernova

Autonomous Inspection can help a variety of industries by advancing operational excellence, helping with safety and compliance, and providing a visual aspect for performance goals.

 An oil and gas firm recently used the Autonomous Inspection software during a pilot. It removed bottlenecks such as manual-intensive and siloed inspection workflows via automation, allowing the firm to reduce inspection review time for corrosion images from two weeks to 30 minutes.

 Cameras and AI/ML algorithms can reduce the safety risks associated with workers performing inspections at elevation or near heated equipment. This technology can also decrease the need for inspection-related travel with remote access to data and insights over the cloud. A European utility is using the program to monitor electrical equipment, such as transformers and switchyards, and transitioning toward a remote-enabled, efficient asset inspection model.

 The automation of manual workflows can save the time and effort of previously relied-upon workers. Autonomous Inspection allows workers to quickly identify defects and sends alerts to enable preventative actions for improved asset uptime.

Within the overall inspection and monitoring workflows, Autonomous Inspection’s capabilities include automated image data collection, processing, integration, analysis, and management. It can be applied to use cases such as automated gauge reading, corrosion detection, severity classification, and thermal profiling of equipment.

At the beginning of April 2024, GE Vernova installed its 

SmartSignal predictive analytics software

 into the APM program used by Saudi Arabia’s National Industrialization Company (TASNEE). SmartSignal can help industrial companies prevent equipment downtime by detecting, diagnosing, and forecasting emerging failures. TASNEE will use this software, and the rest of its APM program, to increase operational efficiency, reliability, and sustainability across its industrial operations in the country.

"Embracing digital transformation is imperative for our industry's evolution, and our collaboration with GE Vernova signifies a commitment to staying at the forefront of innovation," said Sultan Al Hazmi, Reliability Superintendent at TASNEE. "GE Vernova's predictive analytics software will play a pivotal role in our holistic APM strategy, providing us with actionable insights to enhance asset performance, reduce operational risks, and drive sustainable growth.”

The company’s advanced analytics platform merges data-supported insights and machine learning algorithms to allow companies, such as TASNEE, to replace reactive maintenance operations with a proactive and predictive approach. SmartSignal has the capability to maximize asset lifespan and, as a result, may contribute to increased overall productivity for TASNEE’s petrochemical operations.

Autonomous Inspection is a software program using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to automate manual processes, manual inspection, and asset monitoring. 

GE Vernova Streamlines Inspections, Monitoring with AI-Based Software

Energy Systems Network (ESN) launched a non-profit collaborative group called the Hydrogen Industry Alliance (HIA) to operate in the Midwest and other regions. The HIA will catalyze establishing commercial partnerships to accelerate the clean hydrogen market with members such as bp and Hoosier Energy.

“There is no shortage of commercial interest in clean hydrogen, but sustained development requires clear market-driven policies that will attract private investment and meet diverse customer needs,” said Paul Mitchell, President and CEO of Energy Systems Network. “We have heard from companies across the energy, manufacturing, and transportation sectors who desire a best-in-class industry-led platform for commercial collaboration, advocacy, and education. This is exactly why we are launching the Hydrogen Industry Alliance.”

Inaugural members of the HIA include bp, Doral Group H2, Duke Energy Indiana, The Heritage Group, Hoosier Energy, Itochu Corp., and MISO. Companies will be welcomed to the HIA on a select basis to balance industry representation from technology supply, production, delivery, and consumption in energy, transportation, and manufacturing.

“There is so much policy, investment, and R&D activity in this new clean hydrogen market it’s hard to keep track of, let alone fully engage and study the projects, policies, and innovations underway,” said Neil Banwart, Managing Director of Hydrogen at ESN and Chief Integration Officer of the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen. “This alliance will provide a one-stop-shop for companies to navigate all the noise, understand the real market trends, find like-minded partners, and have a seat at the table with key policymakers.”

The clean hydrogen market announced more than 1,400 projects, which will require $570 billion in investments by 2030. These projects, as well as the economic development needed for their execution, require cross-industry cooperation and partnerships between the public and private sectors at state, regional, and national levels. ESN’s HIA group will facilitate shared project learnings and market research, advocate with governments at all levels, and provide education on clean hydrogen benefits to drive clean hydrogen market development.

“I am excited to see ESN launch the Hydrogen Industry Alliance. This alliance will play a key role in commercial collaboration, advocacy, and education, three key pillars to realize the widescale adoption of hydrogen technology,” said Rushabh Shah, Director, Midwest Hydrogen & CCS at BP.

The HIA is based in Indiana and will initially seek out companies in the U.S. Midwest, eventually collaborating with other regions in active clean hydrogen markets. It will support its members during engagement with U.S. policy leaders to align with policies and regulations at a national level.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is a major driving force behind hydrogen legislation and funding for a variety of production projects. Recently, the 

DOE awarded the Chemours Company a total of $60 million

 in grants following a review of two applications. Chemours and its partners will allocate this funding toward the acceleration of membrane technology for PEM water electrolysis to advance a U.S. hydrogen economy supply chain, as well as the creation of a Recovery and Recycling consortium dedicated to the circulation of PEM electrolyzers and fuel cells.

The Hydrogen Industry Alliance comprises energy and mobility companies that will support clean hydrogen development through collaboration and commercial partnerships.

Energy Systems Network Forms Alliance to Support Clean Hydrogen Market

As part of QatarEnergy’s LNG fleet expansion program, the company signed long-term TCP agreements with three Chinese ship owners to operate nine QC-Max size LNG vessels, each with a capacity of 271,000 m

“Our partnerships with China’s shipbuilding industry and the esteemed shipowners, will ensure the long-term operation, deployment, and management of these vessels in a manner that maximizes their potential over decades to come,” said Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, CEO of QatarEnergy. “As we build this partnership, I am reminded of the trust and collaboration that characterizes our relationship, which I believe will continue to grow and flourish as we place more building blocks along the way.”

CMES will operate four vessels, Shandong Marine Energy will operate three vessels, and CLNG will operate the remaining two vessels. The nine LNG vessels will be constructed at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyards in China.

Vessel docked at Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard; Image Credits: CSSC

These vessels are part of a larger deal signed by 

QatarEnergy and China State Shipbuilding Corp.

 earlier this week. The companies signed a nearly $6 billion agreement to construct 18 QC-max size LNG vessels with a capacity of 271,000 m

. Eight of the vessels are scheduled for delivery in 2028 and 2029, while the remaining 10 will be delivered in 2030 and 2031.

“It is our honor to continue working with China State Shipbuilding Corporation and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard to develop and build some of the top-tier LNG vessels renowned for their exceptional environmental qualities,” said Al-Kaabi. “And as we take this important step together, I would like to affirm QatarEnergy’s determination to live up to our commitment to provide a safe and reliable energy source in the form of LNG, while always giving priority to environmental sustainability.”

The buildout of QatarEnergy’s LNG fleet is driven by Qatar’s goal to expand LNG production capacity. In February 2024, QatarEnergy announced that work is currently underway at a new LNG expansion project, North Field West, to increase Qatar’s 

 before the end of 2030. This production increase is approximately 85% higher than current Qatari production levels.

Al-Kaabi said, “These nine vessels are part of QatarEnergy’s historic program to support our expanded LNG production capacity from the North Field and will also help meet our long-term fleet replacement requirements.”

He announced that extensive appraisal drilling and testing have confirmed productive layers of Qatar’s North Field extend towards the west, which allows for the development of a new LNG production project in Ras Laffan. The CEO also announced the presence of large additional gas quantities in the North Field estimated at 240 trillion cubic feet, which raises Qatar’s gas reserves from 1,760 to more than 2,000 trillion cubic feet. Condensate reserves were also raised from 70 to more than 80 billion barrels, in addition to quantities of liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, and helium.

The long-term time charter party (TCP) agreements with China Merchants Group, Shandong Marine Group, and China LNG Shipping (CLNG) cover the operation of nine QC-Max LNG vessels. 