Oct

19

Hydrogen Engineers – Virtual (Oct 19)

Hydrogen is one of the next steps in the evolution of the energy grid in North America as we strive to decarbonize and combat climate change. This program intends to connect technical professionals within the utility industry and allow them to begin to build a network of colleagues working within this ever-changing landscape. Engineers will share their experiences and questions concerning adding hydrogen to the suite of utility renewable gases.

Meet

The Program Development Team

General Details

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  • Program Chair(s)
  • John Quinn, Senior Manager, Renewable Gas Supply, FortisBC

    • Program Location
    • Virtual Event
    • No travel required. All agenda times are in Pacific time.Instructions to access the virtual event will be provided to the attendee before the program.
    • Who Should Attend
      • Hydrogen engineers
      • Utility business development
      • Service providers such as engineering consultants and product manufacturers
  • Registration Options

  • Member: $199 USD

    Registration includes online access and all digital meeting materials.

  • General Cancellation Policy
  • To best serve WEI members and program participants during the COVID-19 pandemic, WEI will be waiving its standard cancellation policy for this virtual program. Registrants can receive a full refund should they need to cancel their registration up to the day before the program begins.
  • Participation Policy
  • Western Energy Institute programs and events are open to energy companies (including gas production and electric generation, gas and electric transmission and gas and electric distribution utilities). Select programs and events are open to energy industry product and service suppliers. Programs and events are closed to all media representatives and to the general public. Recording is not permitted for any portion of the event.
  • For more information contact Marco Henkel, Program Manager at (971) 393-3250.

Agenda

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All session times are listed in Pacific time.

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Virtual Help Desk + Technology Check

The room will open early with optional time for participants to get familiar with the virtual platform, test their audio and webcam, or ask questions about the agenda before we begin.

8:30 AM - 9:15 AM

Welcome + Introductions
Facilitator(s): John Quinn, Senior Manager, Renewable Gas Supply, FortisBC

Roundtable Introductions

9:15 AM - 10:30 AM

Embracing Hydrogen, its challenges, and opportunities for Gas Distribution
Moderator(s): Jani Kikuts, Region Engineering Supervisor, San Diego Gas & Electric Company
Other(s): Emilio Consonni, Product Marketing Manager Gas Devices, Itron, Inc.
Speaker(s): Robert Braun, Director Product Management Gas Devices, Itron, Inc.

What would our energy system look like if Hydrogen was fully integrated in the current distribution network? 

In this session, Robert Braun, Director of Gas at Itron, will paint a vision of the Future with Hydrogen, the path forward to adapt to rising blends, and share insights on on-going investigations about the impact of Hydrogen on metrology. Presentation followed by Q&A.

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Break

10:45 AM - 11:30 AM

Active and Proposed Projects Roundtable Discussion
Facilitator(s): Halli Chesser, Project Engineer, NW Natural

Utilities will provide updates on current and future hydrogen projects and discuss challenges and lessons learned.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Lunch Break

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Hawai’i’s Hydrogen System: Overview and Lessons Learned
Moderator(s): Ariana Frame, Distribution Engineer, Southwest Gas Corporation
Speaker(s): Kevin Nishimura, Vice President Operations, HAWAI'I GAS

A leader in manufacturing hydrogen in Hawaii, Hawaii Gas will share its hydrogen and pipeline systems history, and share lessons learned and experiences with their hydrogen blended Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) supply. Presentation followed by Q&A.

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM

Break

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

The Intricate Path to Codes and Standards
Moderator(s): John Quinn, Senior Manager, Renewable Gas Supply, FortisBC
Speaker(s): Brian Weeks, Senior Director, Business Development, Gas Technology Institute, Michael Peters, Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Nikki Kidd, Manager, Strategic Initiatives – Fuels & Transportation, CSA Group

Hydrogen Blends – Are we there yet? This panel will discuss current projects, resulting technical guidelines, and present regulatory challenges as the industry is working toward Codes and Standards.

3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

Canadian Policies and Implementation Strategies
Moderator(s): John Quinn, Senior Manager, Renewable Gas Supply, FortisBC
Speaker(s): Kevin Larmer, Director, Innovation and Markets, Canadian Gas Association

Canadian Gas Association presentation and Q&A

4:00 PM - 4:45 PM

Open Roundtable, Hot Topics, Future Planning
Facilitator(s): Ariana Frame, Distribution Engineer, Southwest Gas Corporation

Open roundtable for additional questions or hot topics not addressed previously.

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Wrap Up + Networking

Next steps and networking.

Meet The Speakers

Kevin Nishimura

HAWAI'I GAS

Vice President Operations
Learn More

Kevin has worked at Hawaii Gas for 28 years, having started as an entry level engineer after graduating with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Southern California. He spent the majority of his time at Hawaii Gas in pipeline operations, overseeing pressure control and corrosion control. He has managed the Customer Care Division, launched the LNG program for Hawaii Gas, and served as the Oahu General Manager before landing in his current role of VP, Operations. Kevin now oversees statewide utility and non-utility (propane) operations and gas supply, the SNG plant, and Sales and Marketing.

Brian Weeks

Gas Technology Institute

Senior Director, Business Development

Michael Peters

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Engineer

John Quinn

FortisBC

Senior Manager, Renewable Gas Supply

Kevin Larmer

Canadian Gas Association

Director, Innovation and Markets

Jani Kikuts

San Diego Gas & Electric Company

Region Engineering Supervisor
Learn More

I have spent 17 years with SDGE Gas Operations, primary role has been in Gas Distribution Engineering as an engineer and manager. I spent 2 years managing field inspection and construction activities related to M&R, Leak Survey, Cathodic Protection, and Instrumentation. Additionally, I have served as the lead planner for gas distribution 2016 and 2019 general rate cases (GRC).

Robert Braun

Itron, Inc.

Director Product Management Gas Devices
Learn More

Robert Braun, has worked in the gas industry for more than 20 years. He has held various positions in a Swiss multi energy utility, helped to develop one of the first solid state gas meters at ABB Switzerland, and was essential to the market introduction of this new technology to international markets while working at Swiss Gas Metering and Diehl Metering.
In his current position at Itron, he oversees the global portfolio for gas devices and drives together with his team an innovative product roadmap for gas meters and gas pressure regulators and gas volume converters. He represents Itron in national and international working groups like FIGAWA and FARECOGAZ and is a member of DVGW.

Ariana Frame

Southwest Gas Corporation

Distribution Engineer
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Ariana is a natural gas distribution engineer focused on Codes & Standards at Southwest Gas Corporation in Las Vegas, NV. Ariana earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UNLV and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Arizona – Global Campus. Ariana was a pivotal contributor to the California Joint Utility Hydrogen Injection Standard application submitted by Sempra Utilities (SoCalGas, SDG&E), PG&E, and Southwest Gas to the California Public Utilities Commission in 2020. Currently, Ariana is leading a team at Southwest Gas focused on developing hydrogen-blended gas demonstrations and pilots to further hydrogen policies and procedures at the company. Ariana was the most recent chair of the WEI Hydrogen Engineers Forum held earlier this month. In December 2021, Ariana made history by cooking the first carne asada tacos in the continental US cooked with hydrogen-blended methane as a proof of concept for the Southwest Gas team.

Nikki Kidd

CSA Group

Manager, Strategic Initiatives – Fuels & Transportation
Learn More

Nikki Kidd is the Manager, Strategic Initiatives of CSA Group’s Fuels and Transportation sector. In this role, Nikki’s key responsibilities include representing CSA Group in developing and maintaining strategic alliances with multi-faceted stakeholder groups including industry, government, consumers and academia. Nikki joined CSA Group in 1990, where she has held several increasingly more senior and diverse positions in Sales Management. For the past 6 years she has been focused on strategic initiatives in the fuels and appliances program, and alternative energy vehicles program which includes natural gas, hydrogen, propane, electric vehicles, and connected and automated vehicles.

Emilio Consonni

Itron, Inc.

Product Marketing Manager Gas Devices

Halli Chesser

NW Natural

Project Engineer

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