Technical Speakers

Simon Zhang is President & CEO for Clean Hydrogen Works (CHW). Together with its JV partners Denbury, MOL, and Hafnia, CHW is developing a world-scale (7.2 MTPA) clean hydrogen-ammonia facility, Ascension Clean Energy (ACE). ACE is located in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, and is expected to be operational by 2028. ACE will capture up to 98% of its CO2 to deliver low-cost low-carbon clean ammonia to global export markets, providing these markets with a cost-competitive solution and transition to zero-carbon fuels.

Mr. Zhang has more than 25 years’ experience in strategy, business development and technology in the energy and petrochemical industries. He founded and served as CEO of Northwest Innovation Works (NWIW). In this role, he led the development of a $2.5 billion methanol project on the US West Coast. His previous experience includes management and strategic leadership roles at BP in China and the United Kingdom, as well as with ExxonMobil as a senior engineer in Houston. He has co-authored five (5) U.S. patents on hydrogen carbon process technology.

Mr. Zhang received a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from University of Wisconsin, M.S. from Purdue University, B.S. from Tsinghua University (Beijing, China), MBA from University of Chicago, and holds a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation.