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Clean Hydrogen Fuel Has Important Potential for Decarbonization Goals

The following is a press release originally published Jan. 24, 2023, on HydrogenFuelNews.com.

EcoEngineers is broadening its sustainable solutions with a considerable focus on hydrogen fuel.

EcoEngineers works with a spectrum of organizations across all industries and is among the top auditing and consulting firms in the United States for energy transition and clean fuel solutions. They have placed a particular focus on clean (zero and low carbon) hydrogen fuel due to its potential for decarbonizing several sectors of the economy, especially industries that are hard to decarbonize because they have high process heat requirements, such as steel, cement, and glass production. Other areas where EcoEngineers sees hydrogen fuel as particularly promising for decarbonization include heavy-duty trucking, transit (buses) marine, and railroads as well as refineries and fertilizer producers.

The company recently appointed a new managing director to grow the energy transition practice.

Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, EcoEngineers has satellite offices and teams working with clients across the U.S., Brazil, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. The California location recently appointed a new managing director, Tanya Peacock, who will take the reins for the expansion of the company’s energy transition practice with a strong focus on the hydrogen fuel sector. “Throughout her career, Tanya consistently has developed and advanced practical low-carbon fuel policy priorities in the State of California and across the world through advocacy, legislation, and regulation,” said CEO Shashi Menon at EcoEngineers in a recent news release announcing the new hire. “Tanya’s experienced leadership and deep knowledge of hydrogen will help bring this safe, clean energy source to maturity.” Peacock is vice chairperson at the California Hydrogen Business Council and has attended the United Nations climate conferences as part of the California delegation. She worked in collaboration with the United States, Canadian, and French utilities for the advancement of global decarbonization, with a spotlight on hydrogen fuel and biomethane.

Overcoming barriers to the adoption of clean hydrogen fuel.

As promising as EcoEngineers finds clean hydrogen fuel to be across many industries, it also recognizes that there remain challenges in the way of its wide adoption. Primary among them is high cost. That said, the company underscores that as electrolyzer technology continues to improve, the cost of the production of green H2 is falling. The same can be said as the cost of the renewable electricity used to power the electrolyzers steadily drops. Moreover, several countries are developing hydrogen strategies that involve current or upcoming Hydrogen production incentives. These help to make sure that producing and using this form of zero-emission energy will be competitive with greenhouse gas emission producing fossil fuels such as natural gas.

EcoEngineers is working with a variety of organizations to guide their energy transitions.

EcoEngineers provides auditing, consulting and advisory services to a wide range of organizations in all industries to guide them through their energy transition and offer clean fuel solutions. The program is supported by professional engineers, scientists, carbon analysts, and regulatory experts who provide proven expertise through the entire clean energy continuum, including education, regulatory engagement, life-cycle analysis, asset development, compliance management, audit, and verification.

4 Considerations for Building Out Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The following is an article originally published Nov. 14, 2022, on the website Route Fifty, which connects state and local government leaders with technology and innovation ideas.

Policymakers and businesses will need to make important choices about chargers as more EVs hit the road. Here are some key things to keep in mind.

By Daniel Ciarcia, EcoEngineers

COMMENTARY — The quiet hum of electric vehicles is starting to replace the roar of internal combustion engines on our roadways as the world moves toward zero-emission transportation solutions.

In 2021, EV sales grew worldwide by an estimated 109% from 2020 and were on a similar trajectory in the first half of 2022. AutoPacific forecasts that almost 700,000 full-battery EVs will be sold in the U.S. in 2022, with that number predicted to reach 2.5 million by the end of 2027.

As the number of electric vehicles on the road increases, it is imperative to scale up charging infrastructure.

This is a challenge and an opportunity for local governments and businesses. With $5 billion from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, program headed to states and $2.5 billion in additional grant funds for local charging infrastructure, now is the time for states and municipalities to ramp up their focus on EV chargers.

NEVI will fund the installation of at least 500,000 additional charging stations in the United States by 2030. Funds from the program will be dispersed to states over five years, with the priority being to build chargers in Alternative Fuel Corridors, mainly along the interstate highway system. With NEVI in mind, real estate owners, charger operators, municipalities and others need to think about how and where to install EV charging stations.

First-to-market adopters of public EV charging stations will benefit. For instance, EV owners who can get a fast charge at a convenient retail location will be more likely to shop there while charging. In addition, EV charging stations provide business owners extra revenue streams through charging fees and integrated marketing — all while showcasing the retailer’s commitment to sustainability.

Considerations for EV Charging Stations

EV drivers have unique needs. That means user-specific charging scenarios are required to support a variety of driver behaviors, which differ from the traditional gasoline fueling station model.

For example, long-distance drivers require fast-charging stations near highway exits. Although most EV owners currently charge their vehicles at home, many drivers live in apartments or housing where it might be difficult to install private charging stations. These drivers will need to seek out neighborhood locations, such as municipal lots, garages or on-street stations.

Similarly, EV fleet operators might have longer distances or shorter dwell times than the average commuter and might desire direct current fast-charging stations along their heavily traveled routes. For example, delivery trucks and city buses looking to charge will want charging ports in locations along their existing routes for maximum efficiency.

Companies and governments will need to plot out the logistics of charging stations thoughtfully. Some factors owners and operators should consider include:

1. Charging power and plug type. All EV charging stations are not created equal because vehicles recharge at differing rates. Determining the power level to offer is critical in terms of cost and user experience. The plug type is also important to consider because there are multiple plug types in use today, even though the industry is moving toward a standard.

2. Access to grid power. It is preferable to install EV chargers close to power service to reduce the size and cost of installation. In some cases, integration with on-site renewable energy production is ideal because it can generate some or all the electricity needed for charging. It is vital to work with your utility provider to ensure that the grid can supply sufficient power and with the local jurisdiction to obtain the needed permits and inspections.

3. Review building codes for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. Some EV drivers might require accommodations when using charging stations, and local codes are being developed requiring a certain number of spaces to be wheelchair accessible. In addition, plugs aren’t always located in the same place on EVs. It is important to ensure the parking location has ample space for the driver to access the plug on their EV — which might be on any side of the vehicle — and that it is in a safe and secure area so that individuals with disabilities can access the area.

4. Social equity. As electric vehicles continue to move beyond the early adopters in urban areas and into the mainstream, it will be essential to ensure all citizens have access to charging equipment. This means proper infrastructure planning must include equitable coverage in underprivileged communities and rural America.

EV adoption is going to continue to accelerate. To stay ahead of the curve, government, real estate owners, and other stakeholders need to develop sensible, achievable and scalable charging infrastructure plans.

Daniel Ciarcia is the EV Services Director at EcoEngineers and has more than 20 years of experience in clean-technology product management, strategic planning, and business development. He is EcoEngineers’ expert on electrification and electric vehicle (EV) implementation. He brings a winning track record in product and service development of a wide variety of energy and environmental sectors. For more information about the EV market and electrification, contact Daniel at dciarcia@ecoengineers.us.

EcoEngineers Expands Presence in Canada with Senior Regulatory Strategist

Lisa Hanke is the second political strategist to join EcoEngineers in 2022

EcoEngineers is proud to announce that senior political strategist, Lisa Hanke, has joined our team as Regulatory Engagement Director. Ms. Hanke has over two decades of experience in advising companies, government and environmental groups on sustainability issues and international clean fuel policies.

She leads EcoEngineers’ regulatory engagement practice that provides analytics and advocacy around low-carbon fuel policies, carbon pricing, and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in all national and sub-national environmental markets in North America and Europe. Ms. Hanke is the second senior political strategist to join EcoEngineers in 2022, the first being John Larrea, who leads California-focused engagements from Sacramento.

“We are thrilled to have Lisa on board,” says EcoEngineers CEO Shashi Menon. “One of the most pressing issues facing businesses today is understanding the impact of climate policies on business operations. Lisa understands clean fuel policy better than anyone else and she has a broad global view. She sits at the intersection of Canada’s new Clean Fuel Regulations, and the U.S. and European markets.”

Prior to joining EcoEngineers, Ms. Hanke was Director of Government & Stakeholder Relations at the Canadian Fuels Association and Director of Government Affairs for clean fuel companies Enerkem and Iogen. Ms. Hanke holds a Public Relations Diploma and a Leadership and Management Certificate and from Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario. Ms. Hanke has advocated for biofuels and renewable energy under the low-carbon fuel standards in Canada, British Columbia, the United States, the European Union, California, and other emerging markets. She will be based in Ottawa, Canada, and can be reached at lhanke@ecoengineers.us.

Help us in welcoming Ms. Hanke to the team and join her at the Scaling Up 2022 conference in Ottawa, Ontario. She has been tapped to moderate a panel titled “Clean & Low Carbon Fuel Standards.”

EcoEngineers helps organizations create sustainable solutions for a better tomorrow. Our talented team of engineers, scientists, auditors, consultants, researchers, and analysts live and work at the intersection of low-carbon fuel policy, innovative technologies, and the carbon marketplace. Our people are trusted guides who help navigate the ever-changing energy landscape, providing the right tools, guidance, and knowledge to reduce your carbon footprint, and to assess the potential risk to your business from the uncertainties caused by a changing climate and low-carbon policies. Through our systematic approach, we deliver value and proven expertise through the entire clean energy continuum, including education, regulatory engagement, life-cycle analysis, asset development, compliance management, audit, and verification.

EcoEngineers’ New Quality Assurance Program (QAP) Protocol Accepted

As one of the first QAP providers, we are continuing to evolve our protocols to meet producer needs

EcoEngineers is proud to announce that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has approved our recently revised Quality Assurance Program (QAP) protocol for biodiesel producers participating in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Producers that are accepted into our QAP and meet the recordkeeping requirements of 80.1454(j)(1)(i) and (ii) will now be able to generate Q-RINs on renewable fuel produced from separated food waste or biogenic waste oils/fats/greases (i.e. UCO) feedstocks.

EcoEngineers was one of the first QAP providers to be approved by the USEPA. Our detailed, hands-on protocol is supported by a team of highly trained compliance auditors, compliance specialists, and an in-house engineering team. We strive to help our clients protect their investments, optimize the value of their products, and successfully connect them to appropriate markets.

We are very pleased to have the USEPA approve our protocol and look forward to helping our clients take advantage of this program. To understand whether your company meets the EPA recordkeeping requirements, or for guidance on how to become compliant, contact EcoEngineers today at clientservices@ecoengineers.us.

Must Read: 3 Ways Businesses Can Avoid Greenwashing

EcoEngineers is Quoted in this Article from Forbes

When a business spends more time marketing itself as sustainable than it does mitigating its environmental impact, it’s called greenwashing. This can cause more harm than good for the planet. Read how Rhett Power describes, “3 Ways Businesses Can Avoid Greenwashing,” in this Forbes article.

The act of corporate greenwashing isn’t new, but it’s become more prevalent because for today’s consumers, sustainability has become the expectation — not the exception. “Business leaders have learned that if they can effectively message their environmental initiatives, they’ll win consumers’ hearts and minds for life,” Power writes.

The article goes on to give business owners a few tips on how to effectively, and honestly, navigate reporting their efforts, including one important tip from EcoEngineers co-founder and CEO Shashi Menon:

“Businesses must hold themselves accountable for their carbon footprint. They need to honestly communicate what they’re doing about it and admit the limitations they face. This level of honest communication and self-accountability is lost when businesses always try to be perfect.”

Read the Article

Category: News