Kevin Harrison leads the power-to-gas/power-to-X capability development at NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF). At the ESIF, he supports a number of near-commercial R&D projects, including renewable hydrogen production, systems integration, and renewable natural gas production via biomethanation. In his role, Kevin works to identify high-impact research capabilities and develop strategic partnerships with industry leaders.

Research Interests

Renewable hydrogen production

Electrons to molecules

Carbon recycling and utilization of waste-to-energy streams 

Education

Ph.D., Energy Engineering, University of North Dakota

M.S., Electrical Engineering, University of North Dakota

B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of Rochester

A.A.S., Computer Technology, Monroe Community College 

Professional Experience

Program Manager, NREL Energy Systems Integration Facility (2017–present)

Committee Member, State of New York Technical Advisory Committee To Achieve Deep Decarbonization (2019–2021)

Senior Engineer, NREL Energy Systems Integration Facility (2006–2017)

Intern, NREL Energy Systems Integration Facility (2003–2006) 

Featured Work

Power Conversion Technologies: The Advent of Power-to-Gas, Power-to-Liquid, and Power-to-Heat (forthcoming)

BETO 2021 Peer Review: Biomethanation to Upgrade Biogas to Pipeline Grade Methane, NREL Presentation (2021)

Electrolyzers Enhancing Flexibility in Electric Grids, Energies (2017)

Fueling Robot Automates Hydrogen Hose Reliability Testing: Highlights in Research & Development, NREL Fact Sheet (2014)

Hydrogen Production: Fundamentals and Case Study Summaries, NREL Conference Paper (2010)

Wind-To-Hydrogen Project: Operational Experience, Performance Testing, and Systems Integration, NREL Technical Report (2009)

Renewable Energy and the Hydrogen Economy, Solar Hydrogen Generation: Toward a Renewable Energy Future (2008) 

Patents

Renewable Power to Renewable Natural Gas Using Biological Methane Production, International Patent No. PCT/US19/42861 

Awards and Honors

R&D 100 Award nomination (2021)

Hydrogen Production Award, U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technologies Office (2013)