Kern Energy Announces Hydrogen Storage, Utilization and Decarbonization Initiative at Bakersfield Refinery, Partners with Claire Technologies & HyAxiom for Pioneering Collaboration

First-of-its-Kind Collaboration Couples Existing Infrastructure with New Technology Advancing Innovating Strategies to Producing Lower Carbon Transportation Fuels

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., Feb. 25, 2025 (PRNewswire) -- 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."

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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 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 EzH₂™ 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 its work, fuels, and communities safer, cleaner, and healthier.

About Kern Energy

Kern Energy is an independent, family-owned and operated company powered by a team of more than 200. As the only refiner between San Francisco and Los Angeles producing gasoline and diesel, Kern Energy is a critical California supplier, producing approximately one percent of California’s gasoline and three percent of its diesel, all while meeting some of the world’s most stringent fuel standards. A renewable fuel pioneer, Kern Energy became the second refinery in the U.S. to produce renewable diesel by co-processing bio-feed in 2009 and was the first small refiner in California to blend biodiesel in 2012.

For more information, please visit www.kernenergy.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

About HyAxiom, Inc.

Based in Connecticut, HyAxiom, Inc. is a leading global fuel cell and hydrogen solutions provider, enabling reliable, cost-competitive, and carbon-free energy sources for industrial and commercial uses. Building upon decades of experience in fuel cell development, HyAxiom’s mission is to accelerate a sustainable energy future by delivering a full spectrum of hydrogen solutions, including fuel cells for stationary and mobility applications, as well as electrolyzers for hydrogen production. As a core technology provider, HyAxiom is a key pillar in the Doosan Group's hydrogen vision.

For more information, visit the HyAxiom website and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Claire Technologies

Claire Technologies provides low-carbon solutions that use hydrogen instead of diesel fuel to power heavy modes of transportation, reduce carbon emissions in processing facilities, and economically store significant amounts of power for indefinite periods of time. Claire’s proprietary integrated technology system produces EzH₂™, a patented bimodal product, offering price-competitive energy solutions that eliminate or significantly reduce emissions. Claire plans to deploy low-carbon solutions in the market by the end of 2027.

For more information, visit www.clairetechnologies.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE: HyAxiom, Inc.; Kern Energy