Sayanta joined Hyzon Motors as VP, Growth & Strategy in February 2022. He brings over 18 years of
experience in creating value for organizations as an investment banker, business unit finance
leader and management consultant. He has worked with and advised companies spanning
logistics, energy, infrastructure and technology across 4 continents.
Sayanta most recently was the Managing Director of Ridgegate Capital, an investment and
buyout fund focused on investing in the supply chain / energy transition industry. Prior to
Ridgegate, he was the lead finance executive for Amazon where he held full P&L responsibility for
the business across 7 countries with a budget of over $1Bn. Prior to Amazon, Sayanta was an
Executive Director with Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking group covering energy clients
where he executed over $25Bn of transactions globally. He advised C-level executives on strategy,
corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, investor relations and balance
sheet management. Prior to Morgan Stanley, he was a management consultant with McKinsey &
Company’s Business Technology Office, where he partnered with management teams across
various industries to solve their most pressing business issues.
Beyond advising companies on how to navigate business challenges, Sayanta relishes spending
time with his wife, two infant daughters and labradoodle. When he does have the time, he enjoys
traveling to new destinations, great food and a good glass of wine (or single malt). He is a certified
CrossFit Level-1 instructor and tremendously enjoys outdoor activities.
Sayanta received his Master of Business Administration from Duke University and a Bachelor of
Science in Physics from St. Stephen’s College, New Delhi.

Mike Hopkins is an entrepreneurial cleantech CEO and thought leader in the fields of energy
transition, energy storage and hydrogen.
He currently leads Bakken Energy, a clean hydrogen company developing a regional clean
hydrogen hub in the Upper Midwest.
Prior to becoming CEO of Bakken Energy, Mike served as CEO of Ice Energy, a pioneering
thermal energy storage business that now operates as Thule Energy Storage.
Before leading Ice Energy, Mike practiced law for 18 years as a partner with Bennett Jones LLP,
a preeminent Canadian law firm recognized internationally as a leader in the fields of energy
and climate change. He helped his clients successfully develop and finance over $12 billion of
power projects in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.
Mike sits on various for profit and not-for-profit boards, including the Board of Plus Power, a
leading battery storage developer, Nelumbo, a cutting edge nanotechnology company and the
Committee for Economic Development of the Conference Board.
He has served over 30 years as a volunteer leader of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation,
including 12 years as Chairman of the Canadian affiliate.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts and a law degree from the University of Ottawa, a Master’s of
Arts in Law and Economics from the University of Miami and a Master’s of Business
Administration from the University of Alberta.

Brett A. Perlman serves as the CEO of the Center for Houston’s Future, a nonprofit organization working to address matters of highest importance to the long-term future of the greater Houston region. His career has spanned senior positions in business, government and community service organizations. Perlman served for four years as a Commissioner on the Public Utility Commission of Texas, where he was appointed in 1999 by then-Governor George W. Bush. He holds advanced degrees in public policy from Harvard University and in law from the University of Texas, and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Northwestern University. 

Trent is the CEO and Founder of EverWind Fuels LLC. Prior to Founding EverWind Fuels, Trent Co-Founded Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, was a Senior Managing Director at The Blackstone Group and a Managing Director at Macquarie Bank. Trent has 25 years’ experience in North American infrastructure.

Trent’s infrastructure experience including over $20Bn of investments in Renewable Energy, Utilities, Terminals, Midstream Energy, Rail, Water and Communications Infrastructure. In addition to managing a $20 billion portfolio of infrastructure assets he has sat on the boards of seven infrastructure companies across these sectors. Trent has raised over $15bn of institutional capital from over 100 investors

Trent received a Master’s degree in Economics from Macquarie University (Actuarial Studies) in Sydney Australia, qualified as an actuary as in Australia. He is a CFA Charterholder.

Hugo leads research and technology partnerships for Airbus in North America, with a focus on sustainable aviation and hydrogen-powered aircraft. Prior to Airbus, Hugo led strategic special projects for the telecommunications company Orange in San Francisco with a focus on high performance satellite networks. Hugo holds graduate degrees from the University of California, Berkeley and the International Space University. He serves as Board Member of the Airbus Institute for Engineering Research at the University of Southern California and is a member of the Explorers Club of New York City

Arnab has been working in the energy and environment sector for 16 years, across technical, investment, strategy and leadership roles. He joined ZeroAvia in 2021 from Shell, where he was the Global Technology Progamme Manager, Hydrogen and responsible for building product and strategy for all mobility verticals. Previously, he was the Commercial Manager ,H2 based in California, where he delivered the first 3 commercial heavy duty stations and zero emission fuel. In prior roles, he was Principal of the early- stage investment office (Gamechanger), leading investments in digital mobility (Tiramizoo), e-fuels (Twelve) and heat pumps (Gradient), Group Strategy Advisor for digital and e- mobility in which role he built and spun out a freight optimization business, and the Commercial Lead for the US EV charging infrastructure growth (Greenlots acquistion). Prior to Shell, he was part of the Cleantech 1.0 journey, firstly as an investor at Sofinnova Partners, the leading EU venture capital fund, based out of Paris and California, where he focused mainly on investments in industrial biotechnology (Avantium, Synthace, BioAmber, McPhy), and then as Director of Product at Bioamber, a portfolio company that developed biobased plastics. A highlight in this role was successfully scaling from bench to multi-thousand tonnne product and being part of a successful IPO process. In his early career, he did a stint at Mckinsey and Co, serving energy clients in Calgary and London, and worked at Shell in R&D and operational roles. He has an MBA from INSEAD, an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and a DPhil in Physical Sciences from Oxford University, whom he also represented at hockey. He sits on the Leadership Council for Cyclotron Road, the leading hardtech incubator in the US, and is on the advisory board for Novonutrients, a novel protein company. He has multiple publications including book chapters, academic articles and patents, as well as awards including a Shell Executive Vice President’s Award and an EPSRC fellowship. He lives in London with his wife and baby daughter. In his spare time, he is an avid ski-er and mountain-biker.

Dr. Julio Friedmann is Chief Scientist and Chief Carbon Wrangler at Carbon Direct.
He recently served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fossil
Energy at the Department of Energy where he was responsible for DOE’s R&D
program in advanced fossil energy systems, carbon capture, and storage (CCS), CO2
utilization, and clean energy deployment. More recently, he was a Senior Research
Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA, where he
led the Carbon Management Research Initiative. He has held positions at Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory, including Chief Energy Technologist, where he
worked for 15 years.
Dr. Friedmann is one of the most widely known and authoritative experts in the U.S.
on carbon removal (CO2 drawdown from the air and oceans), CO2 conversion and
use (carbon-to-value), hydrogen, industrial decarbonization, and carbon capture and
sequestration. In addition to close partnerships with many private companies, NGOs,
Julio has worked with the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, and government agencies foreign and domestic. His expertise also includes
oil and gas production, international clean energy engagements, and earth science.
Dr. Friedmann received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), followed by a Ph.D. in Geology at
the University of Southern California. He worked for five years as a senior research
scientist at ExxonMobil, then as a research scientist at the University of Maryland.

Prof. Brouwer is an energy system dynamics expert with research interests in renewable energy systems; dynamic simulation and control; energy system thermodynamics, design, and integration; electrochemical conversion devices and systems such as fuel cells, electrolyzers and batteries; hydrogen production, storage and conversion systems; hydrogen transmission, distribution, and dispensing; and electrochemical reactions with concurrent heat, mass and momentum transfer.  Prof. Brouwer obtained his M.S. and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UCI and his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at MIT.

Ahmed is the Director of New Energy Technologies in Enbridge and leading the technical team for delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective Hydrogen Production and Blending, Carbon Capture and Sequestration, and Renewable Natural Gas Production and Blending solutions. Ahmed led the engineering team and delivered the design of the first of its kind on utility-scale hydrogen blending, engineering assessment for hydrogen blending, and renewable natural gas stations. Ahmed has more than 22 years of experience in the hydrocarbon industry both offshore and onshore. Ahmed has a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario, Canada, a Chartered Engineer Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in the United Kingdom, a Project Management Professional, and an MBA from Laurentian University.

Chris Cannata leads EDF Renewables’ North American green hydrogen
business and acts as liaison to EDF and Hynamics worldwide.
He joined EDF Renewables after 13 years with Koch Industries, a global
conglomerate with revenues exceeding $115 bn annually, according to
Forbes, where he most recently led the global energy and industrial gas
group for INVISTA, a DuPont subsidiary acquired by Koch in 2004 and one
of the world’s leading producers of nylon 6,6.
His knowledge of the global energy and industrial gas space extends – but
is not limited to – GE 7EA cogens; operating hydrogen pipelines and SMRs;
negotiating pipeline supply contracts, hydrogen sales agreements, EPC
contracts, and O&M agreements with major industrial gas companies and
other entities worldwide. He has extensive experience in global ammonia
and methanol markets, having supplied both to multiple production
facilities across the world early in his career.
Chris sat on several energy user groups throughout the world and
contributed to Koch Industries’ long-term Point-of-View and renewable
energy development team reporting to senior leadership.
Chris has a BBA with an emphasis in e-business and two minors in
Marketing and Management from Wichita State University and an MBA
from Newman University in Wichita, Kansas.

Antonio has a Master's in Aerospace engineering from the Technical University of Lisbon (Portugal) and the Technical University of Delft (Netherlands). He has been working in the EDP group for 7 years across different business units, having spent most of his time within the global corporate strategy team that provides support for EDP’s long-term views across its entire business portfolio. He transitioned to the Hydrogen Business Unit team upon its creation in 2021 and currently leads the EDPR Hydrogen Strategy & Origination efforts in North America

Nikhil is the Director of Innovation and Technology at Talos and has led Talos’ energy transition strategy and early implementation over the past 2 yrs. His focus is onshore and offshore CO2 capture, utilization and storage and the blue economy, geothermal and offshore wind. He has over 23 yrs of upstream oil and gas exploration and production experience, holds a BS and MS in Chem Engg from University of Houston and Masters in Finance from Harvard’s Extension School.

Bryan Pivovar is a senior research fellow and fuel cell group manager in the Chemistry and Nanosciences Center at NREL. He oversees NREL’s electrolysis and fuel cell research and development activities and supports strategic planning in the areas of electrons to molecules/H2@Scale and polymers/membranes.

Research Interests
Pivovar has over 25 years of experience in the area of polymer electrolytes and fuel cells.  He is a pioneer in several areas of fuel cell and electrolyzer development including membranes, electrocatalysts, and membrane electrode assemblies and interfaces.  His current efforts have a strong focus on novel alkaline membranes for fuel cell and electrolysis devices.

Pivovar has been a champion in establishing the ‘H2@Scale’ initiative as a pathway for energy system wide benefits through increase hydrogen implementation with an emphasis on the potential importance of hydrogen in transportation and industry. 

Amandeep Garcha is a senior manager in the clean fuels branch at Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). He has over 15 years of experience at NRCan, spanning across all major sub-sectors of the natural resource economy (e.g., critical minerals, hydrocarbons, clean fuels, major projects, geoscience, Indigenous consultation, and land use planning). Amandeep currently leads Canada’s efforts on implementing the Hydrogen Strategy for Canada as well as bilateral hydrogen cooperation with countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, and South Korea. Prior to joining the public service, he was a diplomatic consultant in Berlin, Germany.  He holds a BA (Political Science and History) from Simon Fraser University and an MA (International Relations) from the University of Birmingham (UK).  

Mr. Paone is one of the foremost experts on cement plant pyroprocessing and emissions in the world.  An accomplished, professionally licensed engineer with more than 20 years of international experience with Process Equipment, Project Execution & Sales for the Cement/Minerals Industries.  

Peter worked for a decade with FLSmidth, one of the world’s largest suppliers of cement and minerals processing equipment.  In his time with FLSmidth, he split roles between process design, commissioning of plant equipment, and research and development.  Mr. Paone was involved in developing four patented technologies for emissions abatement of mercury and hydrocarbons in cement manufacture and production of low-CO2 cement substitutes. Mr. Paone departed FLSmidth as Manager of Pyroprocessing Technologies to become COO and then President of Bridge Gap Engineering, LLC in Northampton, PA.  

With Bridge Gap Engineering, and now as Senior Technical Advisor, Pete has been involved with the design, startup, troubleshooting, performance evaluation and testing, and process optimization of cement and lithium projects in the Americas and Europe.  He has led efforts in the cement industry to optimize NOx reduction utilizing SNCR and in studying heavy metal emissions from cement plants.  Pete has also presented award-winning papers on topics such as mercury emissions controls and the production of synthetic pozzolan.  Pete has also provided expert training to cement industry personnel at the annual IEEE/IAS PCA Cement Industry Technical Conference, as well as in regional training on grinding and pyroprocessing technology on behalf of the Portland Cement Association.

Mr. Zhiyuan Fan is Senior Researcher at Columbia University, Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering. His research focuses on transitional energy infrastructure analysis using energy system modeling tools, especially energy infrastructure in supporting carbon-neutral economic development. He is also an active member of the Energy System Modelling Program at the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP), SIPA, Columbia University. 

Before his Ph.D. program, Mr. Zhiyuan Fan worked as research associate at the Center on Global Energy Policy, supporting its Carbon Management Research Initiative, focusing on low-carbon industrial systems, including low-carbon fuels and processes, carbon capture and storage, and CO2 use/recycling. During that time, he was a key part of a major research project on the dangers of hydrogen leakage: "Hydrogen Leakage: A Potential Risk for the Hydrogen Economy."

Prior to joining CGEP, he worked as a graduate student researcher at the Sustainable Engineering Lab in Columbia University’s Mechanical Engineering Department, focusing on energy system modeling and optimization under deep renewable penetration, and electrification of heavy road transportation.

Tony Durant is a Technologist for Emerson’s Pressure Management business.  In this role, he leads the effort to evaluate and upgrade Emerson’s natural gas pressure regulator portfolio for compatibility with hydrogen.  Tony has been with Emerson for over 25 years in various engineering roles and holds 11 US patents.  He has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Arrchana Lakshmanan is Director, Midstream Natural Gas for Emerson’s Pressure Management business, where she leads product portfolio optimization and market­ing efforts for enhancing customer experi­ence with Emerson’s natural gas solutions. She supports the development of a decarbonization strat­egy aimed at utilizing the existing natural gas infra­structure. Prior to Emerson, Lakshmanan’s experience spanned multiple functions along the energy value chain at Shell and Schlumberger. She holds BSME and MS Chemistry degrees from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, India and an MBA degree from INSEAD.

Julie Valentine works with downstream manufacturers globally to enhance the selection of measurement and analytical devices that will enable manufacturers to effectively optimize plant operations.  She now has a heavy focus on measurement solutions that impact sustainability programs.  This includes renewable fuels, the hydrogen value chain, and carbon capture and storage.

Julie has more than 30 years of experience in the refining and petrochemical process and automation industries, both domestically and internationally. Before joining Emerson, she worked for a process licensor, primarily in the technical services group, where she was involved in the commissioning, start-up and troubleshooting of refining and petrochemical process units around the world.  Julie has authored numerous technical papers on various applications of measurement technology in the refining industry, and is a co-inventor in two U.S. patents.  Julie is a member of several working committees for the instrumentation and control group of the American Petroleum Institute’s Refining and Equipment Standards Program, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and various women in engineering and STEM programs.        

Julie is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical and Petroleum Refining Engineering. 

Dr. Arash Dahi Taleghani is a professor of petroleum engineering at Pennsylvania State University. Before joining Penn State, he was an associate professor of Petroleum Engineering at Louisiana State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. He has about 15 years of combined experience in applied engineering, research and in academia and is a registered professional engineer. Dr. Dahi Taleghani has numerous publications and eight patents in the field of drilling and completion. Arash is also the author of a book on Wellbore Integrity. In 2014, he received the Distinguished Achievement Award for Petroleum Engineering Faculty from the Society of Petroleum Engineering (SPE). He also received SPE Eastern North America Regional Completion Optimization and Technology in 2017 and later was elected as a SPE Distinguished Lecturer for 2022-2023. He is currently conducting research in reservoir geomechanics, hydraulic fracturing, wellbore integrity, and geothermal energy.

Tom Holmberg is a partner in the Global Projects Group at Baker Botts.  He assists clients with energy projects and transactions around the world. He focuses on the development of liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS), and natural gas pipeline projects and transactions. He works with clients at all stages of such projects in areas that include project structuring, governmental approvals, and the negotiation of commercial agreements.  He is the co-chair of the LNG, hydrogen and CCUS practice group.

Mr. Holmberg advises clients on an array of regulatory issues, including contract and tariff matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). He also represents clients before the Department of Energy (DOE) for authorizations to export and import natural gas under the Natural Gas Act.

Anthony McMaken joined Highly Innovative Fuels in 2022, focusing on the project development and financing initiatives of their Texas-based eFuels facility that is expected to produce approximately 200 million gallons per year of carbon-neutral gasoline by 2027. Prior to joining HIF, Anthony spent nearly a decade at Cheniere Energy Inc. focusing on the execution of debt and equity financings required to support all corporate/strategic initiatives and the construction of the Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi LNG projects.