Insider Brief
- Kern Energy is investing in hydrogen storage and fuel cell technology at its Bakersfield refinery, partnering with Claire Technologies and HyAxiom, Inc. to reduce emissions and improve efficiency (Kern Energy photo).
- The project will reclaim, store, and utilize co-produced hydrogen, incorporating Claire Technologies’ liquid hydrogen storage system and seven HyAxiom hydrogen-powered fuel cells to generate up to 3 MW of zero-emission electricity.
- Expected to be operational by 2027, this initiative advances sustainable fuel technology and reduces refinery carbon emissions.
PRESS RELEASE – Kern Energy is announcing a significant investment in its Bakersfield, CA refinery, reducing its carbon footprint while improving efficiency with Claire Technologies’ hydrogen storage and release system alongside seven HyAxiom, Inc. hydrogen-powered fuel cells. Building on its 90-year history as a renewable fuel pioneer producing California gasoline and diesel, Kern Energy is spearheading this first-in-kind project that will reclaim, store and utilize co-produced hydrogen.
“Kern Energy is proud of our long history of innovation, leveraging existing infrastructure and talent toward tackling the challenges of climate change,” said Jennifer Haley, President & CEO of Kern Energy. “This project embodies our all-of-the-above approach to achieving climate goals—collaborating with forward-thinking partners to empower Kern Energy to reliably and affordably supply the fuels our state needs today, while serving as a catalyst and incubator for transformative technology that will shape the fuels of tomorrow. California is poised to be the national leader in clean new hydrogen technologies and Kern Energy is proud to do our part.”
A global leader in fuel cell technology providing power and heat for commercial and industrial uses, HyAxiom will provide its commercially proven fuel cell capable of operating on 100% co-produced hydrogen, producing up to 3 MW of zero-emission electricity to the refinery. “The installation of HyAxiom’s hydrogen-powered fuel cells at Kern Energy’s refining facility represents a transformative step forward in clean energy innovation,” said Doo Soon Lee, CEO of HyAxiom, Inc. “As demonstrated by over 70 MW of the 100% direct hydrogen-powered fuel cells in operation globally, we will deliver resilient, emission-free electricity while supporting the decarbonization of critical industries like refining. We are proud to play a role in advancing the use of hydrogen as a key solution for achieving a more sustainable energy future in the Americas.”
Incorporating Claire Technologies’ patented system, the project will also store hydrogen in a stable liquid form, making it available for on-demand release to serve other processes within refinery operations when needed. “We are delighted to partner with Kern Energy and HyAxiom to demonstrate our ability to store hydrogen in existing tankage which can then be released on demand using Claire’s proprietary EzH2TM technology. This opens the door for large-scale energy storage to be achieved using existing refinery facilities,” said Paul Allinson, Founder of Claire Technologies. “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of advancing clean energy technologies and revolutionizing hydrogen storage at ambient conditions in the energy industry.”
The project, expected to come online in 2027, is the latest in Kern Energy’s efforts to drive innovative solutions that will make our work, our fuels, and our communities safer, cleaner and healthier.
