Liquid Hydrogen (LH2) Gifts from Santa in 2024

Image credit: Matt Moran, Moran Innovation LLC

It was a busy 2024 for my company, Moran Innovation, with implementation of all the capabilities shown above on Santa's list into new LH2 systems for NASA, DOD, and private sector customers. Also, lots of activities related to training, publications, and standards development. Here's a few highlights with hyperlinks to information that may be of interest to the hydrogen community:

 

• Decarbonizing mobility with liquid hydrogen. Published an SAE Edge™ report on this topic with contributors from multiple industry sectors and global regions. Discussed it at the WCX SAE Knowledge Bar and a SAE The Mobility Frontier webinar.
• Hydrogen-based microgrid. Completed the first phase of adding hydrogen capability to the PEARL microgrid in Honolulu. The expanded multifunctional operations will include production of hydrogen from solar-powered electrolysis, compressed storage, power generation from fuel cells, and in-tank liquefaction for unlimited LH2 storage time (dormancy) and offtake fueling.
• LH2 drones. Continued support of NEOEx Systems liquid hydrogen drone development with automated fueling and on-demand full lifecycle production and liquefaction. Their systems eliminate the need for LH2 distribution, transport, delivery, and ground support storage.
• Airport hydrogen fueling standards. Continued participation in the SAE AE-5CH Hydrogen Airport Taskgroup which published the first global guidelines for airport hydrogen refueling stations.
• Vacuum-jacket piping guideline. Began development of guidelines for vacuum insulated piping for cryogenic applications with a small group of fellow experts.
• NASA lunar landers. Completed the fourth year of providing cryogenic fluid management subject matter expertise to the NASA Human Landing System program and other contracts related to LH2 and other cryogens including zero boil-off systems.
• Courses, webinars, and workshops. Completed the first ever webinar series solely dedicated to LH2 resulting in 13 monthly webinar sessions during 2023-2024. Just released an online, on-demand LH2 systems course that will preview a new lecture every month in 2025 for free. Taught the hydrogen fundamentals portion of the AIAA/HYSKY Advanced Hydrogen Aerospace Technologies and Design course, and did other training and workshops at various conferences and venues. Details can be found on my website Training page.
• Global LH2 topics. Continued managing the Global LH2 Systems LinkedIn group that I started last year for sharing news and other topics relevant to the worldwide LH2 community.

The global momentum with LH2 systems development across many industry sectors and regions is very encouraging. Significant capital investments are accelerating the transition to hydrogen to meet our energy needs while eliminating the sources of damage to our environment and public health caused by burning fossil fuels. This transition also provides energy security, resiliency, and sustainability; all of which translates into a higher quality of life worldwide. And public policy has been moving in the right direction in most countries, albeit at a less than optimal pace.

Looking forward, there is some uncertainty regarding governmental support in some regions. Geopolitical shifts may stall some countries' progress on hydrogen allowing other countries to advance into global leadership positions (perhaps permanently). How do we keep the momentum going with hydrogen? I believe the answer lies in a quote I recently posted from the late Peter Drucker: "The best way to predict the future is to create it". So let's keep creating a better future together with hydrogen in 2025!

• 

  Matt Moran is the Managing Member at Moran Innovation LLC, and previous Managing Partner at Isotherm Energy. He's been developing power and propulsion systems for more than 40 years; and break-through liquid, slush, and gaseous hydrogen systems since the mid-1980s. Matt was also the Sector Manager for Energy & Materials in his last position at NASA where he worked for 31 years. He's been a co-founder in seven technology startups; and provided R&D and engineering support to many organizations. Matt has three patents and more than 50 publications including the Cryogenic Fluid Management series. He also teaches courses, workshops, and webinars on liquid hydrogen systems.